Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst system comprising (a) a compound of a rare earth element and, as cocatalyst, a second component (b) comprising an organomagnesium compound. In the polymerization of a conjugated diene this catalyst gives a polymer having a very high content of trans 1,4 isomer. A third component (c) which is a Lewis acid alters the reaction to give a polymer having a very high content of cis 1,4 isomer. If desired reaction can be initiated using components (a) and (b) alone and component (c) then added at the desired conversion to produce a block polymer having a block of high trans content followed by a block of high cis content.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst system comprising (a) a compound of a rare earth element and, as cocatalyst, a second component (b) comprising an organomagnesium compound. In the polymerization of a conjugated diene this catalyst gives a polymer having a very high content of trans 1,4 isomer. A third component (c) which is a Lewis acid alters the reaction to give a polymer having a very high content of cis 1,4 isomer. If desired reaction can be initiated using components (a) and (b) alone and component (c) then added at the desired conversion to produce a block polymer having a block of high trans content followed by a block of high cis content.