Copolymerization of Ethylene and Propylene with Functionalized Vinyl Monomers by Palladium(II) Catalysts

Ziegler-Natta and related catalysts based on early transition metal d0 complexes are extensively used for the coordination polymerization of nonpolar olefins such as ethylene and propylene. However, due to their highly oxophilic nature, these catalysts are incompatible with functionalized vinyl monomers. Late transition metal catalysts are less oxophilic, but they most often dimerize or oligomerize olefins rather than form high molar mass polymers. Thus, ethylene-acrylate or ethyleneviny acetate copolymers are still exclusively produced by radical routes, which often require high pressure.