Coordination polymerization with the novel η5-C20H17Ti(OiPr)3 complex

Modified corannulene based transition metal complexes of titanium as a novel group of metallocene catalysts were synthesized and investigated in coordination polymerization reactions as catalysts in the syndiospecific bulk polymerization of styrene. In comparison to the zirconium complex exo-(η5-C20H17)(η5-C5H5)ZrCl2, the titanium complex η5-C20H17Ti(OiPr)3 shows a significantly increased polymerization activity, a considerably improved stereoregularity of the syndiotactic polymer chain, indicated by the increased melting temperature of 269 °C, as well as a higher weight average molecular weight and a narrower molecular weight distribution.