Pd‐Catalyzed Polymerization of Dienes that Involves Chain‐Walking Isomerization of the Growing Polymer End: Synthesis of Polymers Composed of Polymethylene and Five‐Membered‐Ring Units

Walk the line: Cyclopolymerization of 1,6-dienes with vinyl and vinylene groups catalyzed by PdII–diimine complexes causes chain walking of the growing polymer. This isomerization leads to polymers with trans-1,2-disubstituted cyclopentane groups located regularly along the linear polymer chain (see scheme). The polymerization is applicable for dienes with various functional groups.