Polybutadiene fills about 25% of the world rubber market. It can be obtained in different ways, which differ in terms of molecular microstructure, average molar masses, molar mass distributions, degree of branching, types of branching and functionalization of terminal groups . It can be obtained through different types of catalysts, and free radical, cationic, anionic or coordination initiators can be used .
The high-cis polybutadiene is catalytically produced by Ziegler-Natta (ZN) catalysts. Among the ZN, cobalt, nickel, titanium and neodymium-based catalysts are the most employed.