Calcium in Polymerization Chemistry and Catalysis
Polymerization of styrene proceeds with high stereoselectivity (95% syndiotactic) and is living.
Feil, Knoll, Harder Angew. Chem. 2001
Three good reasons to do catalysis with calcium:
- It is cheap (€ 6 / mol!)
- It ís biocompatible
- It is world-wide available
Representative publications
Alkene hydrosilylation: Harder et al. Angew. Chem. 2006
Alkene hydrogenation: Harder et al. Angew. Chem.2008
Review: Harder Chem. Rev. 2010