Recent Advances in the Copolymerization of Ethylene with Polar Comonomers by Nickel Catalysts

The less-expensive and earth-abundant nickel catalyst is highly promising in the copolymerization of ethylene with polar monomers and has thus attracted increasing attention in both industry and academia. Herein, we have summarized the recent advancements made in the state-of-the-art nickel catalysts with different types of ligands for ethylene copolymerization and how these modifications influence the catalyst performance, as well as new polymerization modulation strategies. With regard to α-diimine, salicylaldimine/ketoiminato, phosphino-phenolate, phosphine-sulfonate, bisphospnine monoxide, N-heterocyclic carbene and other unclassified chelates, the properties of each catalyst and fine modulation of key copolymerization parameters (activity, molecular weight, comonomer incorporation rate, etc.) are revealed in detail. Despite significant achievements, many opportunities and possibilities are yet to be fully addressed, and a brief outlook on the future development and long-standing challenges is provided.

Highly Active and Thermally Robust Nickel Enolate Catalysts for the Synthesis of Ethylene-Acrylate Copolymers

The insertion copolymerization of polar olefins and ethylene remains a significant challenge in part due to catalysts' low activity and poor thermal stability. Herein we demonstrate a strategy toward addressing these obstacles through ligand design. Neutral nickel phosphine enolate catalysts with large phosphine substituents reaching the axial positions of Ni achieve activity of up to 7.7×10³  kg mol^-1  h^-1 (efficiency >35×10³  g copolymer/g Ni) at 110 °C, notable for ethylene/acrylate copolymerization. NMR analysis of resulting copolymers reveals highly linear microstructures with main-chain ester functionality. Structure-performance studies indicate a strong correlation between axial steric hindrance and catalyst performance.

Chromium Complexes Supported by NNO-Tridentate Ligands: An Unprecedent Activity with the Low Requirement of MAO

The development of metal catalysts with high activity and thermal stability but low requirement of MAO as cocatalyst is highly desired for polyolefin industrial application. In this contribution, a series...

Custom-made polar monomers utilized in nickel and palladium promoted olefin copolymerization

In this review, the functions of custom-made polar monomers are insightfully emphasized in the preparation of functional polyolefins.

Ortho-Functionalized Dibenzhydryl Substituents in α-Diimine Pd Catalyzed Ethylene Polymerization and Copolymerization

Sterically bulky diarylmethyl-based ligands have received increasing attention in the field of late-transition-metal catalyzed olefin polymerization. Ortho-substituents may have a significant impact on the performance of diarylmethyl-based α-diimine Pd catalysts. In this contribution, a series of α-diimine Pd catalysts bearing ortho-methoxyl/hydroxyl functionalized dibenzhydryl units were prepared, characterized, and investigated in ethylene polymerization and copolymerization with methyl acrylate (MA). The catalytic performances were improved by introducing more ortho-substituents. The catalysts exhibited good thermal stabilities at high temperatures, producing branched polyethylenes. The catalysts bearing hydroxyl groups possessing intramolecular H-bonding, resulted in slightly higher incorporation ratios of MA unit when compared with the catalysts bearing methoxyl groups.

A N-bridged strategy enables hemilabile phosphine–carbonyl palladium and nickel catalysts to mediate ethylene polymerization and copolymerization with polar vinyl monomers

N-Bridged phosphine–carbonyl Pd(ii) and Ni(ii) catalysts enable the enhancement of molecular weights in ethylene polymerization and copolymerization with polar comonomers.