Ziegler-natta polymerization of styrene and 2-vinylpyridine with the homogeneous catalyst AlEt3 VCl4: influence of heteroaromatic bases

Polymerizations of styrene and 2-vinylpyridine were undertaken with AlEt 3 -VCl 4 as homogeneous catalyst, under several sets of conditions. Conversion was related to the formation time of the catalytic species. Relative crystallinity and average molecular weight for the polymers obtained at 25°, 50°, and 90° are given. Influences of donor ligands such as pyridine and 2- and 4-methylpyridine on the polymerizations have been considered.