Abstract: The catalytic behaviour of poly(styrene-4-vinylpyridine)(PS4V Py)neodymium complex [(NdCl₃)_n ·PS-4-V Py] for butadiene polymerization was described. The catalytic activity of(NdCl₃)_n ·PS-4-V Py was much greater than that of similar small molecule catalysts. The catalytic efficiency of(NdCl₃)_n ·PS-4-V Py was up to 11.7 kg polybutadiene/g Nd, about 25 times that of NdCl₃·15DPy which exhibited the highest activity among the corresponding small molecule catalysts. The relationship between the activity of(NdCl₃)_n ·PS-4-V Py and its constitution was discussed. The activity of(NdCl₃)_n ·PS-4-V Py increased as the molar ratio of 4 vinylpyridine(4VPy)/Nd decreased. High activity was found at 4VPy/Nd ratio about 2 with 88～96% conversion. It is likely that uncoordinated 4VPy units remaining in the complex interact with the alkyl aluminium or active species to decrease the activity.

Key words: styrene, vinylpyridine, copolymer, neodymium complex, butadiene polymerization