Determination of the Number of Active Centres and Growth Rate Constants in the Catalytic Polymerisation of α-Alkenes

The reliability of different methods for determining the number of active centres (n) and calculating the growth rate constants (k_g) in the catalytic polymerisation of α-alkenes is discussed. The values of n and k_g obtained for different catalytic systems are given. Information on the dependence of the number of growth centres and the rate constants of the separate steps (primarily the growth rate constants) on the composition of the catalyst, its method of preparation, and the conditions of polymerisation can yield important conclusions regarding the mechanism of polymerisation and the composition of the active centres.
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