A method is provided for the polymerization of olefins substituted with a functional group using a transition metal catalyst that, by virtue of one or more stabilizing groups incorporated within the catalyst structure, “fixes” the stereoconfiguration of each olefinic monomer relative to the transition metal complex during each successive reaction in the polymerization process. The invention substantially reduces the likelihood of olefin rearrangement at the active site of the catalyst during polymerization. In one particular embodiment, the functional group is a polar, electron-donating group and the stabilizing group is a Lewis acid substituent; examples of polymers that can be prepared with such a system include poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl alcohol), and poly(vinyl ethers). Novel complexes and catalyst systems useful in the polymerization method are also provided.
提供了一种用过渡
金属催化剂聚合带有功能基团的烯烃的方法,该方法通过在催化剂结构中引入一个或多个稳定基团,使每个烯烃单体相对于聚合过程中的每个连续反应中的过渡
金属络合物的立体构型“固定”。该发明大大减少了在聚合过程中在催化剂的活性位点发生烯烃重排的可能性。在一个特定实施例中,功能基团是极性的、电子给予基团,而稳定基团是一种Lewis酸取代物;使用这种体系可以制备包括聚
乙酸乙烯酯、聚
乙烯醇和聚
乙烯醚在内的聚合物的示例。还提供了在聚合方法中有用的新型络合物和催化剂体系。