Alkaline-earth Metals and Compounds as Initiators of the Anionic Polymerisation of Unsaturated Monomers

Data on the catalytic activity and stereospecificity of alkaline-earth metals in the polymerisation and copolymerisation of unsaturated monomers are summarised, and the nature of the active centres is examined togeher with the kinetics and the mechanism of these processes. The principal methods of preparing initiators for anionic polymerisation that contain compounds of these metals are outlined, and the most probable immediate prospects for practical application of the compounds in polymerisation processes are noted. A list of 175 references is included.