PURPOSE: To produce 1,2-polybutadiene with an intrinsic viscosity above a specified value in high polymerization catalyst activity, by polymerizing 1,3-butadiene in the presence of a catalyst containing an organoaluminum halide.
CONSTITUTION: 1,2-Polybutadiene is produced by polymerizing 1,3-butadiene in a polymerization solvent (e.g., benzene) in the presence of a catalyst consisting of a soluble cobalt compound (e.g., cobalt octoate), an organoaluminum halide (e.g., diethylaluminum monochloride), an organolithium compound (e.g., ehyllithium) and CS2 or phenyl isothiocyanate. By the use of an organoaluminum halide as an organoaluminum compound catalyst component, the polymerization activity of the catalyst is enhanced and it becomes possible to obtain 1,2-polybutadiene having an intrinsic viscosity ≥1.2 (measured in tetralin at 135°C).
ASHITAKA HIDETOMO
JINDA KAZUYA
NAKAJIMA KOUICHI
