Highly Reactive Polyisobutylenes via Cationic Polymerization of Isobutylene by AlCl₃/Ether Complexes in Non-Polar Media: Scope and Limitations

Summary The cationic polymerization of isobutylene using AlCl 3 × OBu 2 and AlCl 3 × O i Pr 2 as co‐initiators in two non‐polar solvents (toluene and n ‐hexane) at different temperatures and monomer concentrations has been investigated. In toluene, highly reactive polyisobutylene (HR PIB) with desired low molecular weight (M n = 1,500–2,500 g mol −1 ) and high exo ‐olefin content (85–90%) were synthesized at high monomer concentration ([M] =...