rac‐[CH2(3‐tert‐butyl‐1‐indenyl)2]ZrCl2/MAO in the Copolymerization of Olefins and Dienes

Olefin‐diene copolymerizations in the presence of C2 symmetric zirconocene rac‐[CH2(3‐tert‐butyl‐1‐indenyl)2]ZrCl2/MAO catalytic system have been reported and rationalized by experimental and molecular modeling studies. Ethene gives 1,2‐cyclopropane and 1,2‐cyclopentane, 1,3‐cyclobutane, and 1,3‐cyclopentane units in copolymerization with 1,3‐butadiene, 1,4‐pentadiene, and 1,5‐hexadiene, respectively. Propene‐1,3‐butadiene copolymerizations lead to 1,2 and 1,4 butadiene units and to a low amount of 1,2‐cyclopropane units.