Abstract Constrained-geometry catalysts (CGCs), a pivotal class of metallocene catalysts used in polyolefin elastomer synthesis, have been attracting significant research attention. Herein, density functional theory was used to systematically investigate the complete copolymerization mechanism of ethylene and 1-octene catalyzed by CGCs. The results revealed that copolymerization followed consistent kinetic patterns, and a key structural angle within the CGC framework was identified as a critical factor influencing catalytic activity.
Liu et al. (2026) studied this question.