Ziegler-Natta Catalysts and Linear Polymers

Ziegler-Natta polymerization uses a special catalyst to make linear polymers. It is a type of addition polymerization, also called chain-growth polymerization. This method favors straight polymer chains over branched ones.

The catalyst is called a Ziegler-Natta catalyst. It is named after Karl Zi...

Recall that radical chain-growth polymerization yields highly branched polymers, such as low-density polyethylene.

To synthesize linear polymers, Karl Ziegler and Giulio Natta developed a class of organometallic catalysts known as Ziegler–Natta catalysts.

A typical example is an organometallic complex made from titanium tetrachlori...