Our company is the top innovator of novel methods to effect the polymerization of olefins via a cationic mechanism.  In yet another first we have developed a series of elevated temperature (T) initiator systems capable of producing isobutene based polymers of relatively high molecular weight (MW) without resorting to the use of halogenated solvents (Figure 1).  These polymerizations can operate in aliphatic solvents or in neat monomer if desired and have been utilized at operating Ts ranging from cryogenic (ca. -80 °C) up to 50 °C.  An Arrhenius plot of MWs shows that the performance of these systems is actually superior to AlBr₃.  This is of significance since this acid was considered to have one of the best MW-T profiles for the solution production of such polymers.  Most interestingly, the activity of the systems is tunable which allows for control over the rate of initiation so that reaction can produce polyisobutene (PIB) or other polymers at T well exceeding ambient without risking explosion.  This technology is drop in to all existing manufacturing systems currently used for the production of PIB, butyl rubber, and polyterpenes to name a few and yet is highly cost effective compared to traditional methods of synthesis.  Without a doubt, our chemistry is possibly the biggest game changer to the field of cationic polymerization in the past 100 years.  Please direct all inquiries regarding obtaining licenses or ownership of this intellectual property to Dr. Lewis through our online contact form. Make no mistake about it, we are the apex predator in the cationic polymerization realm far surpassing all others in both industry and academia.