The cationic polymerizations of α and β pinenes and limonene were compared, and the possibility of living polymerization of the three monomers was also examined. With Lewis acid AlCl 3 catalyst, the polymerization rate decreased in the following order: β pinene>limonene> α pinene. The addition of SbCl 3 accelerated the polymerizations of α pinene and limonene, and retarded the polymerization of β pinene. In contrast to the polymerizations with AlCl3, the polymerization of α-pinene and limonene,and retarded the polymerization of β-pinene.In contrast to the polymerizations with AlCl3,the polymerization of α-pinene was faster than that of limonene when catalyzed with AlCl3/SbCl3.As compared with the AlCl3 catalyst,AlCl3/SbCl3 binary system gave polymers of α-pinene with higher molecular weight,polymers of limonene with similar molecular weight,and polymers of β-pinene with lower molecular weight.In contrast to the structure of α-pinene polymer,the structures of β-pinene and limonene polymers were not affected by the addition of SbCl3.The living polymerization of reactive β-pinene monomer could be achieved with Styrene-HCl adduct/TiCl3(OiPr) initiating system,however,attempts of the living polymerizations of α-pinene and limonene with a series initiating system failed because of the low monomer reactivity.