Recent examples for synthesis of new polyolefins containing polar
functionalities by transition metal complex catalysis have been reviewed. The contents
are consisted of the following sections: 1) background, 2) radical copolymerization, 3)
direct alkane activation/functionalization (post functionalization of polyolefins), 4)
controlled incorporation of reactive functionalities (and the subsequent introduction of
polar funtionalities under mild conditions) by coordination polymerization. In
particular, we wish to introduce our recent approach for synthesis of polyolefins
containing polar functionalities via copolymerization of ethylene with nonconjugated
diene using nonbridged half-titanocenes.
Keywords: Polyolefin, olefin polymerization, functionalized polyolefins, transition
metal catalysts, homogeneous catalysts, metallocene, half-titanocene, post
metallocene, ATRP, controlled radical polymerization, C-H activation, reactive
polyolefins, coordination polymerization, catalyst design, olefin copolymerization
with polar monomers, precise polymerization, post modification.