Process for preparing conjugated diene (co)polymers in the presence of a catalytic system comprising a pyridyl iron (iii) complex

Abstract

A process for preparing conjugated diene (co)polymers comprising polymerizing at least one conjugated diene in the presence of a catalytic system comprising: (a) at least one pyridyl iron (III) complex having general formula (I) or (II): wherein: —R, R, Rand R, identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom; or are selected from linear or branched, optionally halogenated C-C, preferably C-C, alkyl groups, optionally substituted cycloalkyl groups, optionally substituted aryl groups; —Rrepresents a hydrogen atom, or is selected from linear or branched, optionally halogenated C-C, preferably C-C, alkyl groups, optionally substituted cycloalkyl groups, optionally substituted aryl groups; —X, identical or different, represent a halogen atom such as, for example, chlorine, bromine, iodine; or are selected from linear or branched C-C, preferably C-C, alkyl groups, —OCORgroups or —ORgroups wherein Ris selected from linear or branched C-C, preferably C-C, alkyl groups. —n is 3; (b) at least one co-catalyst selected from organo-aluminum derivatives, preferably from: (b) aluminum compounds having general formula (III): Al(R)(R)(R) (IIl) wherein Rrepresents a hydrogen atom, or is selected from linear or branched C-Calkyl groups, cycloalkyl groups, aryl groups, alkylaryl groups, arylalkyl groups, alkoxy groups; Rand R, identical or different, are selected from linear or branched C-Calkyl groups, cycloalkyl groups, aryl groups, alkylaryl groups, arylalkyl groups; (b) aluminoxanes having general formula (IV): (R)—Al—O—[-AI(R)—O-]-AI-(R)(IV), wherein R, Rand R, identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom, or a halogen atom such as chlorine, bromine, iodine, fluorine; or are selected from linear or branched C-Calkyl groups, cycloalkyl groups, aryl groups, said groups being optionally substituted with one or more silicon or germanium atoms; and m is an integer ranging from 0 to 1000; (b) partially hydrolyzed organo-aluminum derivatives; (b) haloaluminum alkyls having general formula (V) or (VI): AI(R)(X')(V) AI(R)(X′)(VI) wherein p is 1 or 2; q is an integer ranging from 1 to 5; R, identical or different, are selected from linear or branched C-Calkyl groups; X′ represents a chlorine or bromine atom, preferably chlorine; provided that said co-catalyst (b) is not selected from organo-boron derivatives.