Polymerization of isoprene catalyzed by neodymium heterocyclic Schiff base complex

Neodymium-based heterocyclic Schiff base complex was prepared and applied for the coordination polymerization of isoprene. This complex polymerized isoprene to afford products featuring high cis-1,4 stereo specificity (ca. 95%) and high molecular weight (ca. 105) in the presence of the tri-isobutyl aluminium (AliBu3) as cocatalyst. The microstructure of obtained polyisoprene was investigated by FTIR, 1H NMR. Two different kinds of active centers in the catalyst system were examined by GPC method.