Abstract: A Brønsted-Lowry acid initiator system for cationic polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer involves an initiator having a structure of Formula (I) in an anhydrous polymerization medium: where: M is tantalum (Ta), vanadium (V) or niobium (Nb); R1, R2, R3 and R4 are the same or different and are independently H, F, Cl, Br, I, alkyl or aryl, or two or more of R2, R3, R4 and R5 on a same benzene ring are taken together to form a bicyclic, tricyclic or tetracyclic moiety with the benzene ring, with the proviso that all of R1, R2, R3 and R4 on the same benzene ring are not H; L is absent or a molecule that coordinates to H+; and, x is 0 when L is absent, or x is 0.5 or more when L is present.

Abstract: A BrønstedLowry acid initiator system for cationic polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer involves an initiator having a structure of Formula (I) in an anhydrous polymerization medium (I) where: M is tantalum (Ta), vanadium (V) or niobium (Ni); each R1 is independently H, OR6, F, Cl, Br, I or alkyl, where R6 is H or alkyl; R2, R3, R4 and R5 are independently H, F, Cl Br, I, alkyl or aryl, or two or more of R2, R3, R4 and R5 on a same benzene ring form a bicyclic, tricyclic or tetracyclic moiety with the benzene ring, with the proviso that all of R2, R3, R4 and R5 on the same benzene ring are not H; L is absent or a molecule that coordinates to H+; and, x is 0 when L is absent, or x is 0.5 or more when L is present.

Abstract: Methods for polymerization of phosphaalkenes using initiators are provided. Also provided are polymers and co-polymers in which the polymer backbone contains tracts of carbon and phosphorous atoms in approximately equimolar amounts. C—P bonds in the polymers of this invention may be predominantly in a head-to-tail arrangement or mixed arrangements. Co-polymers may comprise polyolefin monomer units.

Abstract: Methods for polymerization of phosphaalkenes using initiators are provided. Also provided are polymers and co-polymers in which the polymer backbone contains tracts of carbon and phosphorous atoms in approximately equimolar amounts. C—P bonds in the polymers of this invention may be predominantly in a head-to-tail arrangement or mixed arrangements. Co-polymers may comprise polyolefin monomer units.