Organotitanium(IV) compounds as catalysts for the polymerization of isocyanates: the polymerization of isocyanates with functionalized side chains

Catalysts of the form CpTiCl sub(2)X where X = -OCH sub(2) CF sub(3), -N(CH sub(3)) sub(2), or -CH sub(3)(IIa, IIb, IIc; were used to polymerize a variety of isocyanates. Titanium-alkoxide, -amide and -alkyl bonds were all found to be active in initiating the insertion of isocyanate monomer. The polymerization of highly functionalized monomers is possible using IIa-c. 2-Isocyanatoethyl methacrylate(2IEM) was polymerized using IIb, through the isocyanate group to a linear polymer. The use of cyclopentadienyltitanium trichloride derivatives also provides a general route through which a wide variety of end groups may be incorporated onto the end of the polyisocyanate chain.