Abstract: Lanthanide and actinide catalyst systems normally appear to be "pseudo-living" when they are used to polymerize conjugated diolefin monomers into polymers. Polymerizations which are catalyzed with such catalyst systems produce polymers which have increasingly high molecular weight as monomer conversions are increased. Consequently, any change in polymerization time or conversion may affect the polymer's ultimate molecular weight. This has made controlling the molecular weight of polymers which are made utilizing lanthanide and actinide catalysts difficult.It has been unexpectedly discovered that vinyl halides can be used as molecular weight regulators for polymerizations which are catalyzed with lanthanide and actinide catalyst systems.

Abstract: A nonaqueous dispersion polymerization process can offer many distinct advantages over other polymerization techniques including: improved heat transfer, increased production capacity, and energy savings. This invention discloses a process for the nonaqueous dispersion polymerization of butadiene monomer in a reaction mixture containing a liquid nonaqueous dispersion medium, the improvement which comprises carrying out the polymerization of the butadiene monomer in the presence of random copolymers of butadiene and isoprene, to produce very high cis-1,4-polybutadiene.

Abstract: The presence of cyclopentadiene in unsaturated C.sub.5 -hydrocarbons is often very undesirable. This is because cyclopentadiene is a poison to many of the catalysts used to polymerize C.sub.5 -hydrocarbon monomers. This invention reveals a process for reducing the concentration of cyclopentadiene in impure unsaturated C.sub.5 -hydrocarbons containing cyclopentadiene, comprising adding to said impure unsaturated C.sub.5 -hydrocarbon (a) at least one member selected from the group consisting of trialkylaluminum compounds, dialkylaluminum hydride compounds, dialkylmagnesium compounds, and dialkylzinc compounds; and (b) an organonickel compound.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for the nonaqueous dispersion polymerization of butadiene monomer in a reaction mixture containing a liquid nonaqueous dispersion medium, the improvement which comprises carrying out the polymerization of the butadiene monomer in the presence of at least one member selected from the group consisting of cis-1,4-poly(1,3-pentadiene), trans-1,4-poly(1,3-pentadiene), trans-1,2-poly(1,3-pentadiene), moderately high trans-1,4-polyisoprene, poly(2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene), syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene, atactic 1,2-polybutadiene, butadiene/isoprene copolymers, butadiene/dimethylbutadiene/pentadiene terpolymers, styrene/1,3-pentadiene copolymers, mixtures of from 20% to 65% 3,4-polyisoprene and from 35% to 80% 1,4-polyisoprene, EPDM rubbers, and butyl rubbers to produce very high cis-1,4-polybutadiene.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for the nonaqueous dispersion polymerization of butadiene monomer in a reaction mixture containing a liquid nonaqueous dispersion medium, the improvement which comprises carrying out the polymerization of the butadiene monomer in the presence of at least one carbonylated polymer.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for the nonaqueous dispersion polymerization of butadiene monomer in a reaction mixture containing a liquid nonaqueous dispersion medium, a catalyst system, butadiene monomer, and at least one polymeric dispersing agent, the improvement which comprises carrying out the polymerization of the butadiene monomer in the presence of the reaction product of (1) an alkylbenzene sulfonic acid wherein said alkyl moiety contains from 6 to 20 carbon atoms and (2) a polyalkylene amine that contains from 6 to 20 carbon atoms and 2 to 8 amine moieties. The presence of a small amount of this reaction product very substantially reduces the amount of polymeric dispersing agent needed in such a polymerization.

Abstract: This invention reveals a process for the nonaqueous dispersion polymerization of butadiene monomer in a reaction mixture containing a liquid nonaqueous dispersion medium, the improvement which comprises carrying out the polymerization of the butadiene monomer in the presence of high cis-1,4-polyisoprene to produce very high cis-1,4-polybutadiene.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for copolymerizing cis-1,3-pentadiene and trans-1,3-pentadiene to prepare cis-1,4-polypentadienes. Other conjugated diolefins, including butadiene, isoprene, 2-ethyl-1,3-butadiene and 2-methyl-1,3-pentadiene also may be copolymerized with the cis-1,3-pentadiene isomer to prepare elastomeric copolymers. The polymerization catalyst is a ternary catalyst system comprising (A) a soluble chromium compound, (B) organometallic compounds such as a trihydrocarbylaluminum, and (C) a dihydrocarbyl hydrogen phosphite.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for the preparation of very high cis-1,4-polypentadiene which comprises polymerizing cis-1,3-pentadiene, also known as cis-piperylene, with a ternary catalyst system comprising (A) a soluble chromium compound such as chromium salts of organic acids, organic complex compounds of chromium containing tridentate organic ligands, and .pi.-bonded organochromium compounds, (B) an organometallic, such as trialkylaluminums, dialkylmagnesiums or dialkylzincs, and (C) dialkyl hydrogen phosphites.

Abstract: Method of polymerizing conjugated diolefinic monomers containing from 4 to about 12 carbon atoms to high molecular weight polymers by bringing said monomers into contact with a catalyst system consisting of (1) an iron-containing compound, (2) an organometallic reducing agent from Groups I and III of the Periodic Table, and (3) a nitrogen-containing ligand.

Abstract: A process for producing cis-1,4 polybutadiene by contacting butadiene with a catalyst consisting of (1) at least one organoaluminum compound, (2) at least one nickel compound selected from the class consisting of nickel salts of carboxylic acids, organic complex compounds of nickel, nickel tetracarbonyl, and (3) at least one hydrogen fluoride complex prepared by complexing hydrogen fluoride with a member of the class consisting of ketones, esters, ethers, alcohols, nitriles and water.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for the polymerization and copolymerization of diolefins selected from the group of monomers consisting of trans-1,3-pentadiene and isoprene employing as a catalyst a mixture of (A) an organometallic compound selected from the group consisting of aluminum trialkyls, magnesium dialkyls and zinc dialkyls, (B) a soluble chromium compound selected from the group consisting of chromium salts of organic acids containing from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, organic complex compounds of chromium containing tridentate ligands and .pi.-bonded organochromium compounds, and (C) a member selected from dialkyl hydrogen phosphites, diaryl hydrogen phosphites and tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphite.

Abstract: A process for producing cis-1,4 polybutadiene by contacting butadiene with a catalyst consisting of (1) at least one organoaluminum compound, (2) at least one nickel compound selected from the class consisting of nickel salts of carboxylic acids, organic complex compounds of nickel, nickel tetracarbonyl, and (3) at least one hydrogen fluoride complex prepared by complexing hydrogen fluoride with a member of the class consisting of ketones, esters, ethers, alcohols, nitriles and water.

Abstract: A process for producing cis-1,4-polybutadiene by contacting butadiene with a catalyst consisting of (1) at least one organoaluminum compound, (2) at least one organonickel compound selected from the class consisting of nickel salts of carboxylic acids, organic complex compounds of nickel and nickel tetracarbonyl, (3) boron trifluoride gas or a boron trifluoride etherate complex, and (4) at least one alkyl substituted hydroxy containing aromatic compound wherein the alkyl groups leave the hydroxy groups unhindered for chemical activity in that no alkyl groups are present simultaneously on both positions ortho to the hydroxy groups.

Abstract: Method of polymerizing conjugated diolefinic monomers containing from 4 to about 12 carbon atoms to high molecular weight polymers by bringing said monomers into contact with a catalyst system consisting of (1) an iron-containing compound, (2) an organometallic reducing agent from Groups I and III of the Periodic Table, and (3) a nitrogen-containing ligand.

Abstract: A process of polymerizing conjugated diolefinic monomers containing from 4 to about 12 carbon atoms to high molecular weight polymers by bringing said monomers into contact with a catalyst system consisting of (1) an iron-containing compound, (2) an organometallic reducing agent from Groups I and III of the Periodic Table, and (3) a sulfur or oxygen containing ligand.

Abstract: A method of polymerizing butadiene and/or butadiene in mixture with other diolefins to form polymers with a high cis-1,4 addition wherein the improvement relates to improved catalysts for producing the high cis-1,4-polybutadiene.

Abstract: A method of preparing polybutadiene polymers utilizing a three-component system consisting of an organoaluminum compound, an organonickel compound and a fluoride compound selected from the group of hydrogen fluoride and its complexes and boron trifluoride and its compounds, the improvement being mixing the catalyst components in the presence of a preforming agent selected from the group of monoolefins, nonconjugated diolefins, cyclic nonconjugated multiolefins, acetylenic hydrocarbons, triolefins, vinyl ethers and aromatic nitriles.

Abstract: A process of polymerizing conjugated diolefinic monomers containing from 4 to about 12 carbon atoms to high molecular weight polymers by bringing said monomers into contact with a catalyst system consisting of (1) an iron-containing compound, (2) an organometallic reducing agent from Groups I and III of the Periodic Table, and (3) a sulfur oxygen containing ligand.