Copolymerizations of olefins and dienes with homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts

Copolymerizations of olefins (ethylene and propylene) and dienes were carried out with homogeneous [Et(Ind)₂ZrCl₂] and heterogeneous (Solvay-type TiCl₃) catalysts, and the polymerization behaviors such as catalytic activity, copolymer composition and structure were examined in connection with catalyst type. Various dienes such as isoprene, 2-methyl-1,4-pentadiene, 2-methyl-1,5-hexadiene, 7-methyl-1,6-octadiene, 1,7-octadiene and 1,9-decadiene were used. Diene content of propylene copolymer obtained with Solvay-type TiCl₃ catalyst was higher than that with Et(Ind)₂ZrCl₂. The prepared propylene/diene copolymer and polypropylene were treated with maleic anhydride (MAH) for modification. The content of grafted MAH in polypropylene chain increased to a great extent by incorporation of diene.