COORDINATION POLYMERIZATION
As we shall see in Chapter 4, monomers with side groups asymmetrically disposed with respect to the double bond are capable of producing polymers in which the side groups have a specific stereochemical or spatial arrangement (isotactic or syndiotactic). In both cationic and anionic polymerizations, the association of initiating ion and counterion permits a preferential placement of asymmetric substituted monomers, the extent of which depends on the polymerization conditions. Unbranched and stereospecific polymers are also produced by the use of Ziegler–Natta catalysts. These are complex catalyst systems  derived from a transition metal compound from groups IVB to VIIIB of the periodic table and an organometallic compound usually from a group IA or IIIA metal. A typical catalyst complex is that formed by trialkyl aluminum and titanium trichloride as shown below:

Monoolefins such as propylene and dienes such as butadiene and isoprene can be polymerized using Ziegler–Natta coordination catalysts. The catalysts function by forming transient π -complexes between the monomers and the transition metal species. The initiating species is a metal–alkyl complex and propagation involves the consecutive insertion of monomer molecules into a polarized titanium–carbon bond. Coordination polymerizations may be terminated by introducing poisons such as water, hydrogen, aromatic alcohols, or metals like zinc into the reacting system.