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.