Transition Metal-Catalyzed Olefin Polymerization: Mechanistic Studies and Catalyst Design

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

This renewal award is made in the Inorganic, Bioinorganic and Organometallic Chemistry Program to the University of North Carolina in support of the research of Dr. Maurice Brookhart. The focus of the research is on olefin polymerization, oligomerization and dimerization using cationic, electrophilic late transition metal catalysts. These reactions are of major commercial importance. Catalytic polymerization, oligomerization and dimerization reactions of olefins and functionalized olefins with cationic cobalt, rhodium, nickel and palladium complexes will be studied. Fundamental mechanisms of these reactions will be elucidated by spectroscopic studies of intermediates formed in the catalytic reactions. Emphasis will be on determining the resting state of the catalyst and the details of the key carbon-carbon bond forming steps. Characterization of the resulting polymers and oligomers, particularly structure, molecular weight distribution, extent of branching and placement of functional groups, will be carried out.