Research on poly(styrene-acrylic acid)-supported neodymium complex in catalytic copolymerization of styrene and 4-vinylpyridine

The catalytic activity of poly(styrene-acrylic acid) (PSAA) supported neodymium chloride (NdCl3) complex for the copolymerization of styrene and 4-Vinylpyridine was studied. The influence of various factors, such as Al/Nd molar ratio, reaction time, macromolecular carrier (PSAA), and ratio of styrene to 4-vinypyridine (g/g), on the copolymerization yield of styrene and 4-Vinylpyridine was investigated. The results showed that the copolymerization of polar monomers with olefins occurred efficiently and the catalytic activity of polymer-supported catalyst was higher than that of the similar small molecular catalysts. The activity of PSAA·Nd complex increased with increasing Al/Nd molar ratios and decreased with increasing polymerization time. The highest activity of PSAA · Nd was observed at 120 min, and the highest yield was found at the ratio of styrene to 4-vinylpyridine of 4:2. DSC analysis presented that the resulted polymer had only one glass transition temperature, and showed very good thermal stability.