Ortho-Functionalized Dibenzhydryl Substituents in α-Diimine Pd Catalyzed Ethylene Polymerization and Copolymerization

Sterically bulky diarylmethyl-based ligands have received increasing attention in the field of late-transition-metal catalyzed olefin polymerization. Ortho-substituents may have a significant impact on the performance of diarylmethyl-based alpha-diimine Pd catalysts. In this contribution, a series of alpha-diimine Pd catalysts bearing ortho-methoxyl/hydroxyl functionalized dibenzhydryl units were prepared, characterized, and investigated in ethylene polymerization and copolymerization with methyl acrylate (MA). The catalytic performances were improved by introducing more ortho-substituents. The catalysts exhibited good thermal stabilities at high temperatures, producing branched polyethylenes. The catalysts bearing hydroxyl groups possessing intramolecular H-bonding, resulted in slightly higher incorporation ratios of MA unit when compared with the catalysts bearing methoxyl groups.