Copolymerization of Norbornene and Methyl Acrylate by β-ketoiminato Palladium Complexes/MAO

Neutral palladium complexes bearing β-ketoiminato ligand Pd[CH3C(O)CHC(NAr)CH3](PPh3)(Me)(I Ar=α-napthyl, II Ar= fluorenyl) were activated by MAO to give catalytic system able to polymerize methyl acrylate (MA), thus producing atactic high molecular weight poly(methyl acrylate). Both catalysts exhibited catalytic activities for the copolymerization of norbornene with MA. The polymers were characterized by 13C NMR, GPC and FT-IR spectra. The analyses of the product by 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra gave the verification of random vinyl addition copolymer. The composition of the copolymers was controlled by varying the monomer feed ratio.