Functional polymers. XLIX. Copolymerization of ω‐alkenoates with α‐olefins and ethylene

The 2,6‐dimethylphenyl ester of 10‐undecenoic acid was copolymerized with 1‐dodecene, 1‐octene, 1‐hexene, propylene, and ethylene using coordination initiation systems based on “aluminum‐activated” titanium trichloride and dialkylaluminum chlorides. The copolymerizations with higher α‐olefins proceeded smoothly and gave copolymers incorporating from 60 to 90% of the 10‐undecenoate feed. Copolymerization with propylene gave incorporation of 5 mol % of 2,6‐dimethylphenyl 10‐undecenoate; with ethylene only 3 mol % of the ω‐alkenoate was readily incorporated. All copolymers were characterized by elemental analysis, dilute solution viscosity, and by their IR 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR spectra.