Styrene polymerization with organoeuropium compounds containing pyrazinamide

Organoeuropium compounds EuCl2Cp(PzA)2 and EuCp(MS)2(PzA)2 (MS = methanesulfonate = image), PzA = pyrazinamide were active in styrene polymerization, when methylaluminoxane (MAO) was used as co-catalyst. The catalytic systems produced polystyrene with activities up to 5.65 kg(PS) mol(Eu)−1 h−1 (EuCl2Cp(PzA)2, Al/Eu = 700, T = 60 °C, t = 4 h) in the absence of toluene. The presence of solvent decreased catalytic activity. The compound containing MS anion presented lower catalytic activities. Polystyrene obtained is atactic and presents average molar mass of 3.0 kg/mol.