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State-of-the-Art Polymerization Catalysis
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State-of-the-Art Polymerization Catalysis

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Catalysis in Organic and Polymer Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2024) | Viewed by 8015

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Kotohiro Nomura

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Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University (TMU), 1-1 Minami Osawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan
Interests: catalysis; organometallic chemistry; polymer chemistry
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Prof. Dr. Moris Eisen

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Guest Editor
Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200008, Israel
Interests: actinide and lanthanide organometallic chemistry; polymerization catalysis; organo-f-complexes in catalysis; small molecule activation; transition metal organometallic chemistry; metal-ligand multiple bonding; group 4 organometallics in catalysis
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Prof. Dr. Marc Visseaux

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Guest Editor
UMR 8181—UCCS—Unité de Catalyse et Chimie du Solide, Université de Lille, CNRS, Centrale Lille, Université d'Artois, F-59000 Lille, France
Interests: coordinative polymerization catalysis; rare-earth and iron organometallic chemistry
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Prof. Dr. Bun Yeoul Lee

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Guest Editor
Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea
Interests: organic chemistry; polymer synthesis; green chemistry; organometallics; polymerization catalyst chemistry
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Prof. Dr. Zhengguo Cai

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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Fiber Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
Interests: polymer chemistry; controllable coordination polymerization; metallocene catalysis; late transition metal catalysis; heterogeneous polymerization catalysis; high-performance polyolefin; functionalized polymer fiber
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are calling for potential contributions for this Special Issue, “State-of-the-Art Polymerization Catalysis”. This Special Issue will cover recent trends in metal-catalyzed polymerization, including olefin coordination insertion polymerization, metathesis polymerization, ring-opening polymerization, condensation polymerization, etc. This Special Issue thus includes (i) the synthesis of functional materials (polymers) by olefin polymerization and efficient carbon–carbon bond formation; (ii) the synthesis of metal complex catalysts for olefin polymerization/oligomerization; (iii) metal-catalyzed polymerizations; and (iv) organometallic reactions related to efficient carbon–carbon bond formation. The design of molecular catalysis clearly plays a very important role in the synthesis of functional materials through precise olefin polymerization. These efforts aim to contribute toward the development of sustainable green chemistry and a circular economy.

We hope this topic is of interest to you as we are taking the opportunity to look at recent developments as well as explore the future scope in this field.

If you would like to submit papers to this Special Issue or have any questions, please contact the in-house editor, Mr. Ives Liu (ives.liu@mdpi.com).

Prof. Dr. Kotohiro Nomura
Prof. Dr. Moris Eisen
Prof. Dr. Marc Visseaux
Prof. Dr. Bun Yeoul Lee
Prof. Dr. Zhengguo Cai
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Catalysts is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • olefin polymerization
  • ring-opening polymerization
  • metathesis
  • organometallics
  • homogeneous catalysts
  • heterogeneous catalysts
  • Ziegler-Natta
  • metallocenes
  • half-metallocenes
  • late transition metal catalysts

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 5963 KiB  
Article
Tin Complexes Derived from the Acids Ph2C(X)CO2H (X = OH, NH2): Structure and ROP Capability
by Timothy J. Prior and Carl Redshaw
Catalysts 2025, 15(3), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15030261 - 9 Mar 2025
Viewed by 520
Abstract
Interaction of [Sn(OtBu)4] with the acid 2,2′-diphenylgylcine, Ph2C(X)CO2H (X = NH2), affords the complex {Sn[Ph2C(NH2)(CO2)]4}·2MeCN (1·2MeCN) after work-up, whereas when X = OH [...] Read more.
Interaction of [Sn(OtBu)4] with the acid 2,2′-diphenylgylcine, Ph2C(X)CO2H (X = NH2), affords the complex {Sn[Ph2C(NH2)(CO2)]4}·2MeCN (1·2MeCN) after work-up, whereas when X = OH (benzilic acid), the complex {Sn[Ph2C(O)(CO2)]2(CH3CO2H)2} (2) is isolated. In 1·2MeCN, the four 2,2′-diphenylglycinate ligands adopt three different coordination modes (two N,O-chelates, an O,O-chelate, and a monodentate carboxylate ligand), whilst in 2, two cis-O,O-chelate ligands are present along with two acetic acid ligands, the latter being derived from hydrolysis of acetonitrile. Both 1 and 2 have been screened as catalysts for the ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone and δ-valerolactone; for comparison, the commercial catalyst [Sn(Oct)2], where Oct = 2-ethylhexanoate, and the precursor [Sn(OtBu)4] have been screened under similar conditions. The products were of low to high molecular weight for PCL and low to moderate molecular weight for PVL, with wide Ð values, and they comprised several types of polymer families, including OH-terminated, OH/OMe-terminated, and cyclic polymers. For both monomers, kinetic profiles indicated that [Sn(Oct)2] outperformed 1, 2, and [Sn(OtBu)4], though under certain conditions, 1 and 2 afforded high-molecular weight products with better control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Polymerization Catalysis)
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11 pages, 2637 KiB  
Communication
Depolymerization of PET with n-Hexylamine, n-Octylamine, and 3-Amino-1-Propanol, Affording Terephthalamides
by Sumiho Hiruba, Yohei Ogiwara and Kotohiro Nomura
Catalysts 2025, 15(2), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15020129 - 29 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1091
Abstract
The chemical conversion of plastic waste has been considered an important subject in terms of the circular economy, and the chemical recycling and upcycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) has been considered one of the most important subjects. In this study, the depolymerization of [...] Read more.
The chemical conversion of plastic waste has been considered an important subject in terms of the circular economy, and the chemical recycling and upcycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) has been considered one of the most important subjects. In this study, the depolymerization of PET with n-hexylamine, n-octylamine, and 3-amino-1-propanol has been explored in the presence of Cp*TiCl3 (Cp* = C5Me5). The reactions of PET with n-hexylamine and n-octylamine at 130 °C afforded the corresponding N,N′-di(n-alkyl) terephthalamides in high yields (>90%), and Cp*TiCl3 plays a role as the catalyst to facilitate the conversion in exclusive selectivity. The reaction of PET with 3-amino-1-propanol proceeded at 100 °C even in the absence of the Ti catalyst, affording N,N′-bis(3-hydroxy) terephthalamides in high yields. A unique contrast has been demonstrated between the depolymerization of PET by transesterification with alcohol and by aminolysis; the depolymerizations with these amines proceeded without the aid of a catalyst. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Polymerization Catalysis)
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15 pages, 2840 KiB  
Article
Ring-Opening Homo- and Copolymerization of Cyclic Esters Catalyzed by Iron(III) Triflate
by Yuushou Nakayama, Toshihiko Omori, Ryo Tanaka and Takeshi Shiono
Catalysts 2024, 14(12), 945; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14120945 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 630
Abstract
Biomass-based and biodegradable poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) is synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide (LLA), for which tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate is a major catalyst. However, the potential toxicity of tin can be a problem, especially in biomedical applications. In this study, we focused [...] Read more.
Biomass-based and biodegradable poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) is synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide (LLA), for which tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate is a major catalyst. However, the potential toxicity of tin can be a problem, especially in biomedical applications. In this study, we focused on iron, which is a non-toxic metal and an abundant resource. We investigated the ring-opening homo- and copolymerization of cyclic esters such as LLA and ε-caprolactone (CL) catalyzed by iron(III) triflate, Fe(OTf)3, which is commercially available and known as a Lewis acid. In the polymerization of LLA in toluene at 110 °C, Fe(OTf)3 showed relatively high activity and yielded PLLA with unimodal molecular weight distribution. The addition of 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene (proton sponge: PS) to the Fe(OTf)3 catalyst system increased the yield and molecular weight of the resulting polymer. In contrast, the polymerization of CL by Fe(OTf)3 was decelerated by the presence of PS. The Fe(OTf)3 system was found to have an exceptionally high preference for CL over LLA in the copolymerization of LLA and CL, with the reactivity ratio of rLLA = 0.51 and rCL = 6.9. In contrast, the Fe(OTf)3–2PS system exhibited an LLA preference with rLLA = 15 and rCL = 0.22, indicating that the comonomer selectivity changed depending on the presence or absence of PS. While the LLA polymerization rate by the Fe(OTf)3 system showed a second-order dependence on the Fe(OTf)3 concentration, that of the Fe(OTf)3–PS system showed a first-order dependence on the Fe(OTf)3–PS concentration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Polymerization Catalysis)
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9 pages, 2261 KiB  
Article
Cyclopentadienyl Amidinate Ligand Directing Effects in the Enantioselective Living Coordinative Chain Transfer Polymerization of 1,5-Hexadiene
by Cole M. Burrows, Peter Y. Zavalij and Lawrence R. Sita
Catalysts 2024, 14(12), 944; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14120944 - 20 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 709
Abstract
The new chiral and configurationally stable cyclopentadienyl amidinate (CPAM) hafnium complexes, (RC, RHf)-2 and (SC, SHf)-3, have been obtained in enantio- and diastereomerically pure form. Upon activation with the borate [...] Read more.
The new chiral and configurationally stable cyclopentadienyl amidinate (CPAM) hafnium complexes, (RC, RHf)-2 and (SC, SHf)-3, have been obtained in enantio- and diastereomerically pure form. Upon activation with the borate co-initiator, [PhNHMe2][B(C6F5)4] (B1), 2 and 3 can serve as pre-initiators for the enantioselective living coordinative polymerization (LCP) and living coordinative chain transfer polymerization (LCCTP) of 1,5-hexadiene to provide optically active poly (methylene-1,3-cyclopentane) (PMCP) and end-group-functionalized PMCP (x-PMCP) in scalable quantities, respectively. 13C NMR stereochemical microstructural analyses reveal the role of ligand directing effects for the two-step propagation mechanism of 1,2-migratory insertion/ring-closing cyclization and structure/property relationships for these new PMCP and x-PMCP materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Polymerization Catalysis)
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11 pages, 2493 KiB  
Article
A Bio-Based Tackifier Synthesized by Room-Temperature Cationic Copolymerization of Isobutene and β-Pinene
by Oluwaseyi Aderemi Ajala, Yuushou Nakayama, Takeshi Shiono and Ryo Tanaka
Catalysts 2024, 14(7), 402; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14070402 - 26 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1747
Abstract
Whereas the cationic homopolymerization of β-pinene and isobutene (IB) have been extensively studied, their copolymerization is still very scarce, and the conditions under which copolymerization can occur are limited to extremely low temperatures. Moreover, the application of the copolymer has not been reported. [...] Read more.
Whereas the cationic homopolymerization of β-pinene and isobutene (IB) have been extensively studied, their copolymerization is still very scarce, and the conditions under which copolymerization can occur are limited to extremely low temperatures. Moreover, the application of the copolymer has not been reported. Here, a series of room-temperature copolymerizations of β-pinene and IB, using group 13 compounds as catalysts, were conducted. The copolymerizations yielded a low molecular weight (Mn ~ 103) and a narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn < 2.0) copolymer, with a satisfactory yield at various comonomer feeds, and their glass transition temperature was predictable from the comonomer composition. Furthermore, the tackifying property of the obtained copolymer was investigated using a 180° peel adhesion test. A blend polymer of the copolymer and a styrene-isoprene triblock copolymer showed a high peeling force (0.58 ± 0.14 N/10 mm) and a glass transition temperature low enough for its application as a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Polymerization Catalysis)
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14 pages, 4484 KiB  
Article
Constructing Polyphosphazene Microsphere-Supported Pd Nanocatalysts for Efficient Hydrogenation of Quinolines under Mild Conditions
by Xiufang Chen, Qingguang Xiao, Yiguo Yang, Bo Dong and Zhengping Zhao
Catalysts 2024, 14(6), 345; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14060345 - 27 May 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1513
Abstract
The efficient hydrogenation of N-heterocycles with H2 under mild conditions remains a significant challenge. In this work, polyphosphazene (PZs) microspheres, novel organic–inorganic hybrid materials possessing unique –P=N– structural units and a diverse range of side groups, were used to serve as support [...] Read more.
The efficient hydrogenation of N-heterocycles with H2 under mild conditions remains a significant challenge. In this work, polyphosphazene (PZs) microspheres, novel organic–inorganic hybrid materials possessing unique –P=N– structural units and a diverse range of side groups, were used to serve as support for the design of a stable and efficient Pd nanocatalyst (Pd/PZs). The PZs microspheres were prepared by self-assembly induced by precipitation polymerization, and Pd nanoparticles were grown and loaded on the support by a chemical reduction process. Several characterization techniques, including XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM, XPS, BET and TGA, were used to study the structural features of the nanocomposites. The results revealed that Pd nanoparticles were uniformly distributed on the PZs microspheres, with primary sizes ranging from 4 to 9 nm based on the abundance of functional P/N/O groups in PZs. Remarkably high catalytic activity and stability were observed for the hydrogenation of quinoline compounds using the Pd/PZs nanocatalyst under mild conditions. Rates of 98.9% quinoline conversion and 98.5% 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline selectivity could be achieved at a low H2 pressure (1.5 bar) and temperature (40 °C). A possible reaction mechanism for quinoline hydrogenation over Pd/PZs was proposed. This work presents an innovative approach utilizing a Pd-based nanocatalyst for highly efficient multifunctional hydrogenation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Polymerization Catalysis)
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Review

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19 pages, 3086 KiB  
Review
A Comprehensive Review on Barrelene-Derived α-Diimine Nickel and Palladium Olefin Polymerization Catalysts
by Haotian Zhou, Chunyu Feng, Handou Zheng, Guangshui Tu, Xieyi Xiao and Haiyang Gao
Catalysts 2025, 15(2), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15020127 - 28 Jan 2025
Viewed by 767
Abstract
Late transition metal olefin polymerization catalysts have received more attention in the field of catalytic olefin polymerization. Barrelene-based α-diimine nickel and palladium olefin polymerization catalysts are rising stars because of their backbone structure and catalytic properties. In this review, we present a comprehensive [...] Read more.
Late transition metal olefin polymerization catalysts have received more attention in the field of catalytic olefin polymerization. Barrelene-based α-diimine nickel and palladium olefin polymerization catalysts are rising stars because of their backbone structure and catalytic properties. In this review, we present a comprehensive review of barrelene-derived α-diimine nickel and palladium olefin polymerization catalysts. α-Diimine nickel and palladium catalysts are introduced from two aspects: barrelene-derived backbone and aniline derivatives with different substituents. The relationship between catalyst structure and catalytic properties is also emphasized. This review attempts to provide an inspiration for the design of high-performance barrelene-based catalysts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Polymerization Catalysis)
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