Polymer manufacturing device

Abstract

A polymer manufacturing device according to the present invention is provided with: a No. 1 flow path for supplying a first solution containing a powdered metal catalyst and a ligand; a No. 2 flow path for continuously supplying a second solution containing a monomer solution; and a mixing section that mixes the first solution and the second solution. The first flow path branches into a No. 1-1 flow path and a No. 1-2 flow path for separating and supplying the first solution. The No. 1-1 flow path merges with the second flow path at a first position of the second flow path. The No. 1-2 flow path merges with the second flow path at a second position downstream of the first position of the second flow path. The mixing section has a first mixer that is provided at the first position and mixes the first solution and the second solution, and a second mixer that is provided at the second position and mixes the first solution and the second solution.

Description

Polymer Manufacturing Equipment

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a polymer production apparatus using a microreactor.

[0002] In recent years, methods using flow-type microreactors have been attracting attention in chemical synthesis. Generally, microreactors are devices in which reactions occur within minute channels with internal structures measuring several micrometers to several millimeters. Such microreactors have advantages in chemical synthesis, such as high temperature controllability and good mixing efficiency, due to their large surface area per unit volume. In chemical synthesis, the large surface area and high heat transfer properties allow, for example, heat generated during a reaction to easily diffuse to the surroundings, enabling temperature control. This increases yields and reduces the molecular weight dispersity of polymeric materials. Furthermore, due to their fast mixing efficiency, they are used in reactions using unstable raw materials.

[0003] For example, in polymer synthesis, in the case of polymer polymerization such as living anionic polymerization (see, for example, Patent Document 1), the molecular weight dispersity can be reduced.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-127425

[0005] In the case of using a catalyst in polymer polymerization that has low solubility in a solvent and is consumed in the polymerization reaction, contributing to the reaction, if the catalyst and ligand are supplied together, the problem with Patent Document 1 is that by-products derived from the catalyst accumulate on the inner wall surface of the flow channel, causing blockages and making it impossible to transport the liquid.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a polymer production apparatus that can deliver liquid without causing blockages, even when using a catalyst that has low solubility in a solvent, is consumed in the polymerization reaction, and contributes to the reaction.

[0007] A polymer production apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a first flow path that delivers a first solution containing a powdered metal catalyst and a ligand, a second flow path that continuously delivers a second solution containing a monomer solution, and a mixing section that mixes the first solution and the second solution, wherein the first flow path is branched into a 1-1 flow path and a 1-2 flow path that deliver the first solution separately, the 1-1 flow path merges with the second flow path at a first position of the second flow path, and the 1-2 flow path merges with the second flow path at a second position downstream of the first position of the second flow path, and the mixing section has a first mixer that is provided at the first position and that mixes the first solution and the second solution, and a second mixer that is provided at the second position and that mixes the first solution and the second solution.

[0008] A method for producing a polymer according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the steps of: branching a first flow path, which delivers a first solution containing a powdered metal catalyst and a ligand, into a 1-1 flow path and a 1-2 flow path to deliver the first solution; continuously delivering a second solution containing a monomer solution to the second flow path; merging the 1-1 flow path at a first position of the second flow path and mixing the first solution with the second solution at the first position; and merging the 1-2 flow paths at a second position of the second flow path downstream of the first position and mixing the first solution with the second solution at the second position.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the polymer production apparatus of the present disclosure, even when a catalyst is used that has low solubility in a solvent and is consumed in the polymerization reaction, contributing to the reaction, the liquid can be delivered without causing clogging.

[0010] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a polymer production apparatus according to Embodiment 1.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a polymer production apparatus according to Embodiment 1.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a polymer production apparatus according to Embodiment 1.

[0025] ２ 1 is a structural formula of the compound represented by the formula (I). 2 is a structural formula of 2,2'-bipyridine, which is an example of a ligand. 3 is a table 1 showing the conditions and evaluation results of Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Example.

[0011] A polymer production apparatus according to a first aspect includes a first flow path that delivers a first solution containing a powdered metal catalyst and a ligand, a second flow path that continuously delivers a second solution containing a monomer solution, and a mixing section that mixes the first solution and the second solution, wherein the first flow path is branched into a 1-1 flow path and a 1-2 flow path that deliver the first solution separately, the 1-1 flow path merges with the second flow path at a first position of the second flow path, and the 1-2 flow path merges with the second flow path at a second position downstream of the first position of the second flow path, and the mixing section has a first mixer that is provided at the first position and that mixes the first solution and the second solution, and a second mixer that is provided at the second position and that mixes the first solution and the second solution.

[0012] A polymer production apparatus according to a second aspect may be the same as the first aspect, in which the inner diameter of the second flow path downstream of the first mixer is the same as the inner diameter of the second flow path immediately before joining the second mixer.

[0013] A polymer production apparatus according to a third aspect is the polymer production apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the inner diameter of the second flow path downstream of the second mixer may be larger than the inner diameter of the second flow path downstream of the first mixer.

[0014] The polymer production apparatus according to a fourth aspect may be any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a first incubator that controls the temperature of the first mixer and a second incubator that controls the temperature of the second mixer, and the first and second incubators may control the temperature of the second mixer to be higher than the temperature of the first mixer.

[0015] A polymer production apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the polymer production apparatus of any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the flow path length of the 1-1 flow path and the flow path length of the 1-2 flow path may be the same.

[0016] A polymer production apparatus according to a sixth aspect is any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the inner diameter of the 1-2 flow path may be larger than the inner diameter of the 1-1 flow path.

[0017] The polymer production apparatus according to a seventh aspect may be any of the first to sixth aspects, further comprising a third flow path that delivers a third solution containing a ligand and merges the third solution into the first flow path upstream of where the first flow path branches into the 1-1 flow path.

[0018] The polymer production apparatus according to an eighth aspect may be the same as that of the seventh aspect, and may further include a detection unit that detects the amount of the ligand-exchanged metal catalyst in the mixed solution of the first solution and the third solution, downstream of the confluence of the first flow path and the third flow path and upstream of the branch to the 1-1 flow path.

[0019] The polymer production apparatus according to the ninth aspect may be the same as that according to the eighth aspect, further comprising a control unit that controls the conditions for sending the third solution from the third flow path to the first flow path based on the results detected by the detection unit.

[0020] A tenth aspect of the present invention relates to a method for producing a polymer, the method comprising the steps of: branching a first flow path, which delivers a first solution containing a powdered metal catalyst and a ligand, into a 1-1 flow path and a 1-2 flow path to deliver the first solution; continuously delivering a second solution containing a monomer solution to the second flow path; merging the 1-1 flow path at a first position of the second flow path and mixing the first and second solutions at the first position; and merging the 1-2 flow paths at a second position of the second flow path that is downstream of the first position and mixing the first and second solutions at the second position.

[0021] Hereinafter, polymer production apparatuses and production methods according to embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which substantially identical components are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0022] First Embodiment <Polymer Production Apparatus> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a polymer production apparatus 40 according to a first embodiment.

[0023] The polymer synthesis apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment includes a first flow path 20 that delivers a first solution containing a powdered metal catalyst and a ligand, a second flow path 30 that continuously delivers a second solution containing a monomer solution, and a mixer 40 that mixes the first and second solutions. The first flow path 20 branches into a 1-1 flow path 10a and a 1-2 flow path 10b that deliver the first solution separately. The 1-1 flow path 10a merges with the second flow path 20 at a first position of the second flow path 20. The 1-2 flow path 10b merges with the second flow path 20 at a second position downstream of the first position of the second flow path 20. The mixing section 30 has a first mixer 30a provided at a first position (a junction of the 1-1 flow path 10a and the second flow path 20) that mixes the first solution and the second solution, and a second mixer 30b provided at a second position (a junction of the 1-2 flow path 10b and the second flow path 20) that mixes the first solution and the second solution.

[0024] According to the polymer production apparatus 40 of the first embodiment, even when a catalyst that has low solubility in a solvent and is consumed in the polymerization reaction and contributes to the reaction is used, the liquid can be delivered without causing clogging.

[0025] Each of the components constituting the polymer production apparatus 40 will be described below.

[0026] <First Flow Path> The first flow path 10 delivers a first solution containing a powdered metal catalyst and a ligand. The first flow path 10 branches into a 1-1 flow path 10a and a 1-2 flow path 10b, which deliver the first solution separately. The 1-1 flow path 10a merges with the second flow path 20 at a first position of the second flow path 20. The 1-2 flow path 10b merges with the second flow path 20 at a second position downstream of the first position of the second flow path 20.

[0027] In this way, the first solution of the ligand / catalyst controlled to a constant concentration can be divided and sequentially supplied to the second flow path 20, which supplies the second solution containing the monomer solution, and the monomers supplied to the second flow path 20 can be reacted sequentially with the catalyst / ligand in small amounts. This allows the polymer growth reaction to be controlled. Furthermore, the particle size of the generated particulate by-products can be controlled so that it is smaller than the inner diameter of the mixing section (mixer). Note that the particle size of the by-products can be controlled by appropriately calculating and adjusting the amount of the ligand / catalyst supplied.

[0028] The metal catalyst may be ligand-exchanged. As will be described later, the metal catalyst and the ligand may be sent through separate flow paths and then merged.

[0029] The first flow path 10 is not limited to branching into the above-described two flow paths, but may branch into three or more flow paths 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d as shown in Fig. 1. When branching into three or more flow paths, the first flow path 10 may branch into three or more flow paths from one location, or may branch sequentially from the upstream side to the downstream side at multiple locations.

[0030] The flow path length of the 1-1 flow path 10a and the flow path length of the 1-2 flow path 10b may be the same.

[0031] The inner diameter of the 1-2 flow path 10b may be larger than the inner diameter of the 1-1 flow path 10a, which allows the amount of catalyst in the later stage of the reaction to be greater than the amount in the earlier stage of the reaction, thereby suppressing polymer growth in the earlier stage of the reaction and preventing clogging, and promoting polymer growth in the later stage of the reaction.

[0032] <Metal Catalyst> FIG. 2A shows Ni(COD) as an example of a metal catalyst. ２ is the structural formula.

[0033] The metal catalyst to be sent to the first flow path is not particularly limited, but is selected depending on the type of reaction, substrate, and conditions, and is a catalyst with low solubility in the solvent. For example, transition metal catalysts such as Ni, Cu, Pd, and Ru are used, and CuCl ２ , RuCl ２ , Ni(acac) ２ , Ni(COD) ２ , Pd(PPh ３ ) ４ , Pd(dba) ２ , etc.

[0034] <Ligand of Metal Catalyst> FIG. 2B is a structural formula of 2,2′-bipyridine, which is an example of a ligand.

[0035] The ligand for the metal catalyst is not particularly limited and is selected depending on the type of reaction, substrate, and conditions. Examples include phosphines such as t-butyl isocyanide, norbornadiene, 2,2′-bipyridine, acrylonitrile, triphenylphosphine, and cyclopentadiene, amines, and dienes.

[0036] <Solvent for Ligand Solution> The solvent for the ligand solution is not particularly limited and is selected depending on the type of reaction, substrate, and conditions. Examples include tetrahydrofuran, toluene, xylene, dimethyl ether, dioxane, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, N-methylpyrrolidone, benzene, hexane, diethyl ether, alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and butanol, and ionic liquids.

[0037] <Second Flow Path> The second flow path 20 continuously transfers the second solution containing the monomer solution.

[0038] <Monomer> The monomer of the monomer solution contained in the second solution sent to the second flow path is not particularly limited, but is selected depending on the desired polymer and is at least one monomer having a reactive group corresponding to the metal catalyst used. Examples include combinations of aryl or vinyl boronic acids such as phenylboronic acid and benzenediboronic acid bis(pinacol) ester with aryl or vinyl halogen compounds such as bromobenzene and iodothiophene, and aryl halogen compounds such as dibromobenzene and dibromothiophene.

[0039] The solvent for the monomer solution is not particularly limited and is selected depending on the type of reaction, substrate, and conditions, etc. Examples of the solvent include tetrahydrofuran, toluene, xylene, dimethyl ether, dioxane, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, N-methylpyrrolidone, benzene, hexane, diethyl ether, alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and butanol, ionic liquids, and mixed solutions of the above solvents with water.

[0040] <Inner diameter of flow path> The inner diameter of the first flow path 10 and the second flow path 20 is, for example, in the range of 0.01 mm to 5.00 mm. It may also be in the range of 0.05 mm to 4.00 mm. If it is smaller than 0.01 mm, the risk of clogging increases and internal resistance increases, making it difficult to transport liquid. If it is larger than 5.00 mm, the uniformity of the reaction field, which is an advantage of microflow, is reduced, and variation increases.

[0041] <Mixing Section> The mixing section 30 mixes the first solution and the second solution. The mixing section 30 is provided at the first position (the confluence of the 1-1 flow path 10a and the second flow path 20) and has a first mixer 30a that mixes the first solution and the second solution, and a second mixer 30b that is provided at the second position (the confluence of the 1-2 flow path 10b and the second flow path 20) that mixes the first solution and the second solution. The number of mixers increases in accordance with the number of branches of the first flow path 10. The number of mixers is not limited to two as described above, and may be, for example, three or more mixers 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d as shown in FIG. 1 .

[0042] The first mixer 30a and the second mixer 30b are not particularly limited, and may be any mixer capable of mixing the monomer and the ligand-exchanged metal catalyst. Examples of such mixers include a T-shaped mixer, a Y-shaped mixer, a plate mixer processed into an arbitrary shape, a double-tube mixer, a triple-tube mixer, a static mixer, a mixer equipped with a mechanism for promoting stirring such as a Taylor reactor, or a mixer that combines two or more of these.

[0043] The inner diameter of the first mixer 30a and the second mixer 30b is preferably in the range of 0.01 mm to 3.00 mm, more preferably in the range of 0.05 mm to 2.50 mm. If it is smaller than 0.01 mm, there is a high risk of clogging, and if it is larger than 3.00 mm, mixing performance tends to decrease. However, this does not apply to the first mixer 30a and the second mixer 30b that are equipped with a stirring mechanism such as a static mixer or a Taylor reactor.

[0044] The inner diameter R1out of the second flow path 20 downstream of the first mixer 30a may be the same as the inner diameter R2in of the second flow path 20 immediately before merging with the second mixer 30b, thereby making it possible to suppress pressure loss and blockage.

[0045] Furthermore, the inner diameter R2out of the second flow path 20 downstream of the second mixer 30b may be larger than the inner diameter R1out of the second flow path 20 downstream of the first mixer 30b. Since the 1-1 flow path 10a merges with the second flow path 20 in the first mixer 30a, by making the inner diameter of the second flow path 20 on the downstream side across the first mixer 30a larger than the inner diameter on the upstream side, retention in the first mixer 30a can be suppressed.

[0046] The residence time in the microreactor is not particularly limited, but may be selected depending on the type of reaction, substrate, and conditions, and may be, for example, 0.01 to 60 minutes.

[0047] <Third flow path> A third flow path 50 for transporting a third solution containing a ligand may be provided. This third flow path 50 may merge the third solution into the first flow path 10 upstream of where the first flow path 10 branches into the 1-1 flow path 10a. In this case, only the metal catalyst may be transported into the first flow path 10, and the ligand may be merged from the third flow path 50 into the first flow path 10 to perform ligand exchange of the metal catalyst.

[0048] <Detection Unit> A detection unit 60 that detects the amount of the ligand-exchanged metal catalyst may be provided in the first flow path 10. The detection unit 60 may be provided downstream of the confluence 52 of the first flow path 10 and the third flow path 50 and upstream of the branch point into the 1-1 flow path 10a and the 1-2 flow path 10b.

[0049] <Controller> A controller 70 may be further provided to control the conditions for sending the third solution sent from the third flow path 50 to the first flow path 10. The controller 70 controls the conditions for sending the third solution based on the results detected by the detector 60. Ligand exchange on the metal catalyst makes it more soluble in the solvent, which contributes to the polymer growth reaction. The controller 70 can also control the ligand / metal catalyst to a constant concentration. Note that if a calibration curve of the concentration of the ligand-exchanged metal catalyst versus absorbance is prepared in advance, it can be used to control the conditions for sending the third solution containing the ligand.

[0050] <First Incubator and Second Incubator> A first incubator 80a that controls the temperature of the first mixer 30a and a second incubator 80b that controls the temperature of the second mixer 30b may be further provided. Note that either the first incubator 80a or the second incubator 80b may be provided alone. The first incubator 80a or the second incubator 80b is not particularly limited, but may be adjusted to a temperature necessary for polymer synthesis. Examples of the first incubator 80a or the second incubator 80b include an oil bath, a mantle heater, and an electric furnace when the temperature is to be raised above room temperature. Examples of the cooler bath or an ice bath when the temperature is to be lowered below room temperature include a cooler bath and an ice bath.

[0051] The controlled temperature is not particularly limited, but is selected depending on the type of reaction, substrate, and conditions, and is, for example, from -25°C to 250°C.

[0052] The temperature of the second incubator 80b may be set higher than the temperature of the first incubator 80a. Furthermore, when three or more incubators are provided, the temperature of the downstream incubator may be set higher than that of the upstream incubator.

[0053] <Recovery Section> A recovery section 90 may be provided at the end of the second flow path. In the recovery section 90, the produced polymer can be cooled and recovered.

[0054] According to the polymer production apparatus of the first embodiment, the first flow path, which delivers a first solution of a ligand / catalyst controlled to a constant concentration, can be divided and sequentially supplied to the second flow path 20, which delivers a second solution containing a monomer solution. This allows the by-products produced to be delivered in a fine particle state, preventing clogging of the flow path. Furthermore, the total amount of catalyst / ligand to be supplied can be evaluated based on the molecular weight of the desired polymer, and the number of times to supply the catalyst / ligand can be calculated.

[0055] <Polymer Manufacturing Method> The polymer manufacturing method according to the first embodiment includes the following steps: (1) A first flow path, which sends a first solution containing a powdered metal catalyst and a ligand, is branched into a 1-1 flow path and a 1-2 flow path to send the first solution (first solution sending step); (2) A second solution containing a monomer solution is continuously sent to the second flow path (second solution sending step); (3) The 1-1 flow path and the 1-2 flow path are merged with the second flow path on the upstream and downstream sides of the second flow path, and the first solution and the second solution are mixed on the upstream and downstream sides of the second flow path (mixing step).

[0056] In this way, a polymer is obtained.

[0057] According to this polymer production method, the first flow path, which delivers the first solution of ligand / catalyst controlled to a constant concentration, can be divided and sequentially supplied to the second flow path 20, which delivers the second solution containing the monomer solution. As a result, the by-products produced are also delivered in a fine particle state, and clogging of the flow path can be suppressed.

[0058] (Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples) Examples and comparative examples carried out by the inventors will be described below.

[0059] [Evaluation] A polymer yield of 80% or more was rated A (very good), 60% or more was rated B (good), and less than 60% was rated C (unacceptable).

[0060] FIG. 3 is Table 1 showing the conditions and evaluation results of Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Example.

[0061] (Example 1) As a powder metal catalyst, nickel catalyst Ni(COD) ２2.65 mmol of dimethylacetamide (DMA), 66 mmol of bipyridine as a ligand, and 73 ml of dimethylacetamide (DMA) as an organic solvent were fed to the first flow path at a supply flow rate of 0.1 ml / min.

[0062] A solution of 30 mmol of dichlorothiophene as a raw material monomer and 73 ml of dimethylacetamide (DMA) as an organic solvent were sent to the second flow path at a supply flow rate of 0.2 ml / min.

[0063] Furthermore, 22 mmol of bipyridine as a ligand and 73 ml of dimethylacetamide (DMA) as an organic solvent were sent from the third flow path to join the first flow path. The flow rate of the ligand solution was 0.1 mmol / min.

[0064] The first flow path had three branches and three mixers, and the temperatures in each mixer were set to 60° C., 70° C., and 80° C., respectively, from the upstream side to the downstream side. The residence time was 10 minutes, and the pressure was 0.1 MPa.

[0065] Furthermore, the amount of ligand-exchanged metal catalyst in the first flow path was detected, and based on the results, the conditions for sending the ligand solution to the third flow path were controlled to keep the amount of ligand-exchanged metal catalyst constant.

[0066] In Example 1, the yield of the obtained polymer (polythiophene) was 88% and the evaluation was A.

[0067] Example 2 Example 2 differs from Example 1 in that the amount of the ligand-exchanged metal catalyst in the first flow path was not detected and a third flow path was not provided. Example 2 also differs from Example 1 in that the amount of the ligand-exchanged metal catalyst was not controlled. Other than that, Example 2 was the same as Example 1.

[0068] In Example 2, the yield of the obtained polymer (polythiophene) was 70%, and the evaluation was B.

[0069] Example 3 Example 3 differs from Example 1 in that the amount of ligand-exchanged metal catalyst in the first flow path was not detected, and no third flow path was provided. Example 3 also differs from Example 1 in that the amount of ligand-exchanged metal catalyst was not controlled. Furthermore, Example 3 differs from Example 1 in that the first flow path had two branches, two mixers were provided, and the temperatures in each mixer were set to 60°C and 80°C, respectively, from the upstream side to the downstream side. Other than that, Example 3 was the same as Example 1.

[0070] In Example 3, the yield of the obtained polymer (polythiophene) was 62%, and the evaluation was B.

[0071] (Comparative Example) The Comparative Example differs from Example 1 in that the amount of the ligand-exchanged metal catalyst in the first flow path was not detected, and no third flow path was provided. The Comparative Example also differs from Example 1 in that the amount of the ligand-exchanged metal catalyst was not controlled. Furthermore, the Comparative Example differs from Example 1 in that the first flow path was not branched, there was only one mixer, and the temperature of the mixer was set to 80°C. Other than that, the Comparative Example was the same as Example 1.

[0072] In the comparative example, the yield of the obtained polymer (polythiophene) was 2% and the evaluation was C.

[0073] 2 catalyst supply section 4 raw material supply section 6 ligand supply section 10 first flow path 10a 1-1 flow path 10b 1-2 flow path 20 second flow path 30 mixing section 30a first mixer 30b second mixer 40 polymer production device 50 third flow path 52 ligand mixer 60 detection section 70 control section 80a first incubator 80b second incubator 90 recovery section

Claims

1. A polymer production apparatus comprising: a first flow path that delivers a first solution containing a powdered metal catalyst and a ligand; a second flow path that continuously delivers a second solution containing a monomer solution; and a mixing section that mixes the first solution and the second solution, wherein the first flow path is branched into a 1-1 flow path and a 1-2 flow path that deliver the first solution separately, the 1-1 flow path merges with the second flow path at a first position of the second flow path, and the 1-2 flow path merges with the second flow path at a second position of the second flow path that is downstream of the first position, and the mixing section has a first mixer that is provided at the first position and that mixes the first solution and the second solution, and a second mixer that is provided at the second position and that mixes the first solution and the second solution.

2. The polymer production apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inner diameter of the second flow path downstream of the first mixer is the same as the inner diameter of the second flow path immediately before joining the second mixer.

3. A polymer production apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner diameter of the second flow path downstream of the second mixer is larger than the inner diameter of the second flow path downstream of the first mixer.

4. The polymer control device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a first incubator that controls the temperature of the first mixer and a second incubator that controls the temperature of the second mixer, wherein the temperature of the second mixer is controlled to be higher than the temperature of the first mixer by the first incubator and the second incubator.

5. The polymer production apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flow path length of the first-1 flow path and the flow path length of the first-2 flow path are the same.

6. The polymer production apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner diameter of the first-second flow path is larger than the inner diameter of the first-first flow path.

7. The polymer production apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a third flow path that delivers a third solution containing a ligand and merges the third solution into the first flow path upstream of where the first flow path branches into the 1-1 flow path.

8. The polymer production apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a detection unit that detects the amount of the metal catalyst that has undergone ligand exchange in the mixed solution of the first solution and the third solution, downstream of the confluence of the first flow path and the third flow path and upstream of the branching of the 1-1 flow path and the 1-2 flow path.

9. The polymer production apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a control unit that controls the conditions for sending the third solution from the third flow path to the first flow path based on the result detected by the detection unit.

10. A method for producing a polymer, comprising: a step of branching a first flow path, which delivers a first solution containing a powdered metal catalyst and a ligand, into a 1-1 flow path and a 1-2 flow path to deliver the first solution; a step of continuously delivering a second solution containing a monomer solution to a second flow path; a step of merging the 1-1 flow paths at a first position of the second flow path and mixing the first solution and the second solution at the first position; a step of merging the 1-2 flow paths at a second position of the second flow path downstream of the first position and mixing the first solution and the second solution at the second position.

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