Unsymmetric Bidentate Ligands in Group-10 Metal Catalysts for Copolymerization of Olefins with Polar Monomers

Here in this manuscript, 30-year history of group-10 metal catalyzed copolymerization of olefins with polar monomers are reviewed focusing on roles played by unsymmetric bidentate ligands. Nickel and palladium are the metal of choice and ligands consists of combination of a strong s-donor such as a phosphine or a carbenes and a stable oxygen anion such as sulfonate, phenoxide, etc have been used for the copolymerization affording linear polyethylenes or head-to-tail polypropylenes incorporating polar monomers. Certain steric-demand is essential for giving high molecular-weight polymers as are discussed in the mechanistic considerations.