Michael T. Malanga

Syndiospecific polymerization of styrene

Syndiotactic polystyrene, namely XAREC® is being developed by Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd. as a major new polymer family. XAREC® is a new crystalline engineering thermoplastic with a crystalline melting point of 270 °C. Because of its crystalline nature, XAREC® has a high heat resistance, an excellent chemical resistance and a water/steam resistance. XAREC® also has the dip soldering resistance. Potential applications for XAREC® include surface-mount electronic devices and electrical connectors. In this paper, some mechanistic models for polymerization and stereo-regulation as well as the factors which affect the activity and stereospecificity of the catalysts are discussed. The effects of substitutions on Cp ligand of half titanocene complexes were examined. The bulky substitution groups reduce the activity. Also, borate compounds as activator and effects of hydrogen are discussed.