Isotactic specific catalyst for direct production of highly isotactic poly (propylene oxide) or highly isotactic poly (butylene oxide)

Abstract

(Salph or methoxy salph) Co (initiating ligand) catalyze homopolymerizing rac-PO to produce pure highly isotactic PPO and rac-1-butylene oxide to produce pure isotactic poly(butylene oxide). A product is unfractionated isotactic PPO of m-dyad content>81%, normally at least 99%.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method for producing isotactic poly(butylene oxide) comprising the step of polymerizing rac-1-butylene oxide in the presence of an isospecific catalyst. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , where the isospecific catalyst is (salph or methoxy salph) Co (initiating ligand) where salph is N,N-′bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalkylidine)-benzenediamine. 
     
     
         16 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method for making polyepoxides comprising the step of polymerizing epoxide in the presence of catalyst which is a Schiff base containing metal complex containing cobalt in the 3+ oxidation state.