The key to the production of rare earth cis-butadiene rubber: Jinzhou Petrochemical’s highly stable homogeneous neodymium catalyst has been patented

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In response to the industry challenges associated with the production of rare earth cis-butadiene rubber, such as the complex reaction mechanism of homogeneous neodymium catalysts, difficulties in process control, and frequent production fluctuations, Jinzhou Petrochemical Research Institute developed a technology for producing highly stable homogeneous neodymium catalysts by introducing new electron-donating ligands and optimizing the proportions of components as well as the aging process. This technology has been granted intellectual property rights by the Intellectual Property Office. This technology effectively reduces the catalyst aging time and increases the reaction rate between components. When applied to the polymerization of butadiene, it significantly reduces the range of fluctuations in the microstructure of the product, enhancing the stability of the properties of rare earth cis-butadiene rubber products and providing a key technical guarantee for stable and efficient production. On March 31, 2026, the patent titled “Preparation and Application of a Highly Stable Homogeneous Neodymium Catalyst” applied for by Jinzhou Petrochemical Research Institute was authorized by the **Intellectual Property Office. It is reported that rare earth catalysts, being the key element in the production of rare earth cis-butadiene rubber, have a complex reaction mechanism and a difficult-to-control reaction process, which has long been a technical challenge in this industry. In the traditional homogeneous neodymium catalysis systems, the binding of the homogeneous agent to the active centers of neodymium metal requires a specific reaction time, and there are strict requirements regarding parameters such as temperature and duration of the aging process. This not only directly affects the activity of the polymerization reaction as well as the structural properties of the resulting products, but it also makes process control difficult and prone to fluctuations in production. This is precisely the core reason why many rubber manufacturers struggle to achieve the desired product performance levels while maintaining effective process control. Focusing on the key pain points in the industry, Jinzhou Petrochemical Research Institute made targeted efforts. Building on the existing system, it introduced new electron-donating ligands and optimized process parameters such as the ratio of various components and the aging temperature, thereby increasing the reaction rate between these components and reducing the aging time. As a result, it successfully developed a technology for producing highly stable homogeneous neodymium catalysts. When applied to the polymerization of butadiene, this technology helps maintain the product’s microstructure within a narrow range of fluctuations, thereby significantly improving the stability of the product’s properties. It provides a technical foundation for the steady and efficient production of rare earth cis-butadiene rubber.