Polyethylene Building Blocks by Catalyzed Chain Growth and Efficient End Functionalization Strategies, Including Click Chemistry

A means to an end: Polyethylene chains obtained by catalyzed chain growth on magnesium and exhibiting molar masses up to 5000 g mol−1 have been end-functionalized in high yield with iodide, azide, and amine reactive end groups (see scheme). The functionalized polyethylenes can be used to generate a range of reactive polyolefins; for example, the azide-functionalized chain can undergo “click” reactions to afford macromonomers.