Recent development of a new generation of Ziegler-Natta Catalysts using either magnesium dichloride as carrier or methylaluminoxane as cocatalyst has markedly stimulated the research activity in the field of olefin polymerization. These discoveries have not only yielded economical processes for polyolefin production but also opened the way to a new generation of novel polymers. Moreover, the nature of active species is being clarified well by the effort to simplify catalyst systems. The present volume includes 38 papers from the 31 lectures and 18 posters presented at the symposium on `Recent Developments in Olefin Polymerization Catalysts', which covered the following topics: Overview of super-active homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, kinetic profile of olefin polymerization including copolymerization, characterization of catalysts and polymers, methods for the determination of active center concentration, role of Lewis bases on the catalysts isospecificity, polymerization mechanisms, and synthetic pathways for functionalized polyolefins. The contents are well balanced between fundamental research and application as well as between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalyst systems.

This book covers the proceedings of a symposium which was attended by researchers from all over the world who reported on and discussed recent advances in the field of catalytic polymerization of olefins.Over two decades have elapsed since the discovery of the Ziegler-Natta catalyst. Tremendous research effort has been aimed at improving this marvelous catalyst. In twenty-five years since the first publication, more than 15,000 papers and patents on the subject and on related subjects have appeared. This effort has yielded new generations of Ziegler-Natta catalysts with superior activity and stereospecificity. The complexities arising from the heterogeneity of the catalyst, however, have hindered understanding of the catalytic processes which take place on the catalyst surface. Nevertheless, many fundamental features of the catalyst system have now been clarified reasonably well. Recently a highly active homogeneous catalytic system has been developed, which is capable of catalyzing even isotactic polymerization of propene. There is no doubt that this finding will not only contribute to our understanding of the detailed mechanism of polymerization but also stimulate the development of various kinds of tailored polymers. Thus this subject will remain of paramount importance in the development of chemistry and polymer science for a long time to come.

"Catalysis is more art than science", probably all of you have heard and even used this expression. Whether it is true or not, it alludes to the experience that new catalysts are hard to find, and near impossible to predict. Hard work and a lifetime of experience is invaluable. However, a keen mind might give insight into where to search, but not necessarily about where to find the answers. Historically, "quantum leaps" have often arisen from serendipity - we all know the story about the nickel-contaminated reactor that triggered further research towards the first coordination catalyst for ethene polymerization. Taking advan tage of this event, Karl Ziegler became the first chemist to earn both a Nobel prize and a fortune for the same invention. A broken NMR tube helped Walter Kaminsky discover the effect of high concentrations of methylaluminoxanes as co catalysts for metallocenes. When air reacted with the concentrated trim ethyl aluminum solution, sufficient amounts of methylaluminoxanes were formed, and the lazy catalyst dormant in the NMR tube suddenly became sensationally active. Ziegler and Kaminsky were lucky and had the genius needed to take advantage of their luck.

This book covers the most important topics concerning cationic Ziegler-Natta and ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cycloolefins. The work describes the major pathways that cycloolefins can follow under the action of specific catalytic systems, essentially vinyl and ring-opening polymerization, both reaction types allowing the manufacture of distinct products with wide applicability in modern technologies. The comprehensive data available on this subject are logically and systematically selected and reviewed throughout 18 chapters, according to the basic catalytic processes involved, types of monomers and catalysts employed, reaction conditions and application fields. The modern trends in design of chiral metallocene catalysts, well-defined living metathesis catalysts, catalysts tolerant toward functionalities and water systems are highlighted. The book discusses in detail the relevant aspects of these processes including reaction thermodynamics, kinetics, mechanisms and stereochemistry and correlates the structure of produced polymers with their chemical and physical-mechanical properties. Related important topics include Ziegler-Natta polymerization of olefins and dienes, atom transfer radical polymerization of vinyl compounds, metathesis of olefins and acetylenes, acyclic diene metathesis reaction, carbonyl olefination reaction, metathesis polymerization of acetylenes, metathesis degradation of polymers and ring-opening polymerization of heterocycles. Special emphasis is laid upon the manufacture of commerical products, new polymers and copolymers of potential interest for industry and design and synthesis of speciality polymers with particular structures and architectures and desired properties. The book critically evaluates the most recent achievements reported in this field and outlines the modern trends on the research and application of the catalytic processes for cycloolefin polymerization. For the first time, comprehensive information about the published data on the subject up to now is provided for both academic and industrial researchers working in the areas of polymer chemistry, organic and organometallic chemistry, surface science and catalysis, petrochemistry and chemical engineering. This stimulating book offers an enlightening introduction and a quick documentation on the subject as well as a solid background in this field. Moreover, the work offers a wealth of useful information for specialists applying polymers in various scientific and industrial areas.

This book provides an overview of polyolefine production, including several recent breakthrough innovations in the fields of catalysis, process technology, and materials design. The industrial development of polymers is an extraordinary example of multidisciplinary cooperation, involving experts from different fields. An understanding of structure-property and processing relationships leads to the design of materials with innovative performance profiles. A comprehensive description of the connection between innovative material performance and multimodal polymer design, which incorporates both flexibility and constraints of multimodal processes and catalyst needs, is provided. This book provides a summary of the polymerization process, from the atomistic level to the macroscale, process components, including catalysts, and their influence on final polymer performance. This reference merges academic research and industrial knowledge to fill the gaps between academic research and industrial processes. · Connects innovative material performance to the flexibility of multimodal polymer design processes; · Provides a comprehensive description of the polymerization process from the atomic level to the macroscale; · Presents a polyhedric view of multimodal polymer production, including structure, property, and processing relationships, and the development of new materials.

New synthetic techniques allow chemists to modify polymer microstructures more precisely than ever, making it possible to design materials that meet increasingly demanding performance requirements. Written and edited by experts in the field, Stereoselective Polymerization with Single-Site Catalysts reviews how the relative stereochemistry of

This book comprises the contributions of several authors in the area of polymer characterization by atomic force microscopy of the polymer network structure formed in Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals Cells; polymerization by microwave irradiation method of starch/acrylic acid/acrylamide; polymerization of olefins; emulsion polymerization; ring opening polymerization; cationic polymerization of vinyl monomers ; block and graft copolymerization by controlled/living polymerization; fabrication of doped microstructures by two-photon polymerization; rheology of biomaterials; plant cell wall polymers; polyADP-Ribosylation in postfertilization and genome reprogramming . We hope that this book will help inspire readers to pursue study and research in this field.

The chemical or biological process whereby the presence of an external compound, a catalyst, serves as an agent to cause a chemical reaction to occur or to improve reaction performance without altering the external compound. Catalysis is a very important process from an industrial point of view since the production of most industrially important chemicals involve catalysis. Research into catalysis is a major field in applied science, and involves many fields of chemistry and physics. The new book brings together leading research in this vibrant field.

This volume covers both basic and advanced aspects of organometallic chemistry of all metals and catalysis. In order to present a comprehensive view of the subject, it provides broad coverage of organometallic chemistry itself. The catalysis section includes the challenging activation and fictionalization of the main classes of hydrocarbons and the industrially crucial heterogeneous catalysis. Summaries and exercises are provides at the end of each chapter, and the answers to these exercises can be found at the back of the book. Beginners in inorganic, organic and organometallic chemistry, as well as advanced scholars and chemists from academia and industry will find much value in this title.