Nickel-Catalyzed Copolymerization of Ethylene and Vinyltrialkoxysilanes: Catalytic Production of Cross-Linkable Polyethylene and Elucidation of the Chain-Growth Mechanism

] yields a highly active and productive catalyst system for the convenient synthesis of the copolymer, a cross-linkable PE. For example, copolymers containing 0.23 mol % silane can be generated at 60 °C, 600 psig ethylene over 4 h with a productivity of 560 kg copolymer/g Ni. This method offers an alternative route to these materials, normally prepared via radical routes, which are precursors to the commercial cross-linked polyethylene, PEX-b.