Copolymerization of ethylene with allylbenzene using rac-ethylenebis(indenyl)zirconium dichloride/methylaluminoxane as a catalyst

Abstract

Ethylene was copolymerized with allylbenzene using rac-ethylenebis(indenyl) zirconium dichloride (Et(Ind)(2)ZrCl2)/methylaluminoxane (MAO) as a catalyst. Analysis of the copolymers obtained revealed that chain transfer to aluminium was a preferred chain transfer reaction during the copolymerization. It seems that chain termination through aluminium transfer is induced by the allylbenzene unit incorporated in the propagating chain end. Hydroxy-terminated ethylene copolymers were obtained when the copolymer solution was exposed to air before precipitation of the polymer in acidic methanol.