Homo- and copolymerizaton of norbornene and norbornene derivative with Ni- and Pd-based β-ketoiminato complexes and MAO

Neutral nickel(II) and palladium(II) complexes bearing β-ketoiminato ligand have been synthesized. The two complexes have been investigated as catalyst for the polymerization. Using methylaluminoxane (MAO) as a cocatalyst, both complexes produce vinyl-addition polynorbornenes, but palladium(II) complex displays much higher activity up to 8.0 × 107 g/(molPd h). Furthermore, both Ni(II) and Pd(II)/MAO system can efficiently copolymerize norbornene and 5-norbornene-2-yl acetate (NB-OCOMe) in moderate yields and in relatively high molecular weights. The analyses of the product by FTIR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra give the verification of vinyl addition copolymer. The copolymers show narrow molecular weight distribution and good solubility in common organic solvents.