Synthese und Molekülstruktur von [1,3-(Me3Si)2C5H3](Me3SiC5H4)ZrCl2

Synthesis and Molecular Structure of [1,3-(Me₃Si)₂C₅H₃](Me₃SiC₅H₄)ZrCl₂ . The unsymmetrically substituted zirconocene dichloride was prepared by reaction of trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl lithium and 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)cyclopentadienyl lithium with ZrCl₄ · 2 THF. The molecular structure was determined (P2₁/a; a = 1 357.9, b = 1 900.0, c = 1 043.2 pm, β = 105,16°). The Zr? Cl distance are remarkably short.     

Relative reactivity enhancement of (Me5Cp)2ZrCl2 in mixture with (1,2,4-Me3Cp)2ZrCl2 during ethene/1-hexene copolymerization

Dual-site ethene/1-hexene copolymerizations with MAO-activated (1,2,4-Me₃Cp)₂ZrCl₂ and (Me₅Cp)₂ZrCl₂ catalysts were performed. Copolymers with narrow molecular weight distributions and bimodal short chain branching distributions could be produced. The combined catalyst system demonstrates a number of discrepancies from an expected average behavior of the individual sites. Dual-site (1,2,4-Me₃Cp)₂ZrCl₂/(Me₅Cp)₂ZrCl₂ systems produce copolymers with lower incorporation than expected. Clear evidences for relative activity enhancement of the (Me₅Cp)₂ZrCl₂ catalyst in the mixture were observed in melting endotherms and Crystaf profiles. Molecular weights obtained by the mixture were higher than for any of the individual catalysts. A similar effect is observed for a dual-site system of the (1,2,4-Me₃Cp)₂ZrCl₂ catalyst together with the Me₄Si₂(Me₄Cp)₂ZrCl₂ catalyst as an alternative to (Me₅Cp)₂ZrCl₂.     

Symmetrical and lopsided zirconocene pro-catalysts

Me₂C[1-Cp-9-Flu]ZrCl₂ derivatives with H-, CH₃-and (CH₃)₃C- substituents β to the Cp bridgehead carbon atom as well as complexes having mono- or di-substituted fluorenyl ligands (R = CH₃-, (CH₃)₃C-, CH₃O-, CH₃OCH₂-, (CH₃)₃CC≡C-, (CH₃)₂N-, F-, and Cl-) have been investigated as propylene polymerization pro-catalysts. Steric effects from the β-Cp substituents determine the iso-, hemi-iso-, and syndio-specificities of the catalysts. The relative stereospecificities of Me₂Si[1-Cp-3t-Bu-9-Flu]ZrCl₂ and rac-Me₂Si[1-Ind-3-t-Bu]₂ZrCl₂ are in accord with molecular models. The more un-symmetrical the catalysts are the more m and mm stereosequences there are in s-PP. The m dyads also increase with the concentration of Me₂C[1-Cp-9-Flu-2-OMe]ZrCl₂.     

Nonhydrolytic synthesis and structural study of methoxyl-terminated polysiloxane D/Q resins

Low-viscosity, methoxylated polysiloxane resins incorporating Me₂SiO_2/2 (D) and SiO_4/2 (Q) units were prepared using nonhydrolytic condensation between Si—Cl and Si—OMe groups with the formation of MeCl, catalyzed by a Lewis acid. With the commonly used catalysts, condensation between two Si—OMe groups, with formation of Me₂O, also took place to a large extent, hindering the control of the degree of condensation of the resins. Several catalysts were tested by monitoring the formation of MeCl and Me₂O using sealed NMR tubes and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The best compromise between reactivity and selectivity was obtained with ZrCl₄. Resins with various compositions were prepared in the absence of solvent by condensation between Me₂SiCl₂ and Si(OMe)₄ at 130°C, catalyzed by 1 mol % ZrCl₄. They were characterized using viscosimetry, gas chromatography coupled with mass-spectrometry (GC-MS), and quantitative ²⁹Si-NMR spectroscopy. The resins consisted of a complicated mixture of oligomers, linear or branched (n > 1) and cyclic (n > 3), with a high degree of D/Q bonding. The distribution of Si—OMe and Si—OSi bonds and the bonding between D and Q units were found to be nearly random. This was ascribed to the occurrence of Si—OSi/Si—OMe and Si—OSi/Si—OSi redistribution reactions that reached equilibrium during the synthesis. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. A Polym. Chem. 36: 2415–2425, 1998     

Homogeneous and heterogeneous metallocene/MAO-catalyzed polymerization of trialkylsilyl-protected alcohols

We investigated the ethylene copolymerization by utilizing Me₂Si(Ind)₂ZrCl₂/MAO and Me₂Si(Ind)₂ZrCl₂/MAO/SiO₂ with 10-undecene-1-oxytrimethylsilane and 10-undecene-1-oxytriisopropylsilane and the ethylene copolymerization by using ⁱPr(CpInd)ZrCl₂/MAO and ⁱPr(CpInd)ZrCl₂/MAO/SiO₂ with 5-norbornene-2-methyleneoxytrimethylsilane and 5-norbornene-2-methyleneoxytriisopropylsilane. The trimethylsilyl (TMS) protecting group could not prevent the catalyst deactivation caused by the addition of the polar comonomer. In contrast to that, good catalyst activities and comonomer contents were obtained with the triisopropylsilyl (TIPS) protected monomer. The homopolymerization of 10-undecene-1-OTIPS was carried out with Me₂Si(Ind)₂ZrCl₂/MAO.     

Defined synthesis of copolymers using metallocene catalysis

The copolymerization of propene with small amounts of ethene, catalyzed by tetrahydroindenyl zirconocenes such as [En(H₄Ind)₂]ZrCl₂ or [Me₂Si(H₄Ind)₂]ZrCl₂ and MAO in liquid propene produces polymers with much higher activities and molecular weights than the homopolymerization of propene. The normal bisindenyl complexes doesn't present such differences. The investigation of the microstructure shows for the tetrahydroindenyl catalyst that after a 2,1-insertion of a propene unit the system is in a sleeping state and can be activated when an ethene unit is inserted. In this case these catalysts become faster than the ansa bis-indenyl catalysts. An active catalyst for the copolymerization of ethene and norbornene is the more temperature stable [Me₃PhPen(Flu)]ZrCl₂. This catalyst produces atactic copolymers with high molecular weights of over 900 000 g/mol at 30°C and 38 mol% of norbornene content.     

Ethylene/hexene copolymerization with the heterogeneous catalyst system SiO2/MAO/rac‐Me2Si[2‐Me‐4‐Ph‐Ind]2ZrCl2: The filter effect

The main focus of this study is the ethylene/hexene copolymerization with the silica supported metallocene SiO₂/MAO/rac‐Me₂Si[2‐Me‐4‐Ph‐Ind]₂ZrCl₂. Polymerizations were carried out in toluene at a reaction temperature of 40°C–60°C and the cocatalyst used was triisobutylaluminium (TIBA). The kinetics of the copolymerization reactions (reactivity ratios r_E/H, monomer consumption during reaction) were investigated and molecular weights M_w, molecular weight distributions MWD and melting points T_m were determined. A schematic model for the blend formation observed was developed that based on a filtration effect of monomers by the copolymer shell around the catalyst pellet.     

Synthesis of oxazoline functionalized polypropene using metallocene catalysts

Using two different zirconocene/MAO catalyst systems, propene was copolymerized with the comonomers 2‐(9‐decene‐1‐yl)‐1,3‐oxazoline and 2‐(4‐(10‐undecene‐1‐oxo)phenyl)‐1,3‐oxazoline, respectively. The catalysts used were rac‐Et[Ind]₂ZrCl₂ and rac‐Me₂Si[2‐Me‐4, 5‐BenzInd]₂ZrCl₂. Up to 0.53 mol‐% oxazoline could be incorporated into polypropene. Oxazoline content, molecular weight, degree of isotacticity and melting behavior were dependent on the catalyst system, comonomer structure and comonomer concentration in the feed.     

Functionalization of polyolefins via the reaction of ozone with double bonds

Polar groups are introduced into polyolefin chains via the postpolymerization polymer-analogous transformations using the ozonolysis of side ethylidene groups of ethylene (propylene) copolymers with the cyclic comonomer 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene. The copolymers are synthesized using ansa-zirconocene catalysts Me₂Si[Ind]₂ZrCl₂/MAO, Et[Ind]₂ZrCl₂/MAO and Et[IndH₄]₂ZrCl₂/MAO, which provide insersion of the cyclic monomer into the polymer chain without ring opening. The study of number-average molecular mass and compositions of homo- and copolymers of ethylene and propylene with 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene confirms a high selectivity of the ozonolysis of unsaturated double bonds of polyolefins. The formation of polar groups in the ozonized ethylene and propylene copolymers with 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene is proved by IR and Raman spectroscopy. The thermophysical characteristics of the initial and ozonized copolymers are compared.     

In situ ethylene homopolymerization and copolymerization catalyzed by zirconocene catalysts entrapped inside functionalized montmorillonite

Ethylene homopolymerizations and copolymerizations were catalyzed by zirconocene catalysts entrapped inside functionalized montmorillonites that had been rendered organophilic via the ion exchange of the interlamellar cations of layered montmorillonite with hydrochlorides of L ‐amino acids (AAH⁺Cl^?) or their methyl esters (MeAAH⁺Cl^?), with or without the further addition of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C₁₆H₃₃N⁺Me₃Br^?; R₄N⁺Br^?). In contrast to the homogeneous Cp₂ZrCl₂/methylaluminoxane catalyst for ethylene homopolymerizations and copolymerizations with 1‐octene, the intercalated Cp₂ZrCl₂ activated by methylaluminoxane for ethylene homopolymerizations and copolymerizations with 1‐octene proved to be more effective in the synthesis of polyethylenes with controlled molecular weights, chemical compositions and structures, and properties, including the bulk density. The effects of the properties of the organic guests on the preparation and catalytic performance of the intercalated zirconocene catalysts were studied. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2187–2196, 2003     

Progress of olefin polymerization by metallocene catalysts

New C₁‐symmetric metallocenes such as [Me₂C(PhCp)(Flu)ZrCl₂, [Me₃Pen(Flu)]ZrCl₂, [PhMe₃Pen(Flu)]ZrCl₂ were synthesized and used for the polymerization of propene by higher polymerization temperatures. Different polypropylene micro structures were obtained. Important for industrial processes are the high molecular weights of the polymers produced by the pentalenelike catalysts, which are very stable by higher temperatures. For synthesis of syndiotactic polystyrene and new substituted half‐sandwich titanocenes are used such as 1,3‐Me₂‐CpTiCl₃, Me₄CpTiCl₃, PhCpTiCl₃, cyclohexyl‐CpTiCl₃. If they are fluorinated, the activity for the production of syndiotactic polystyrene can be increased 10 times. The synthesized polymer shows a high melting point of 275°C.     

rac-[CH2(3-tert-butyl-1-indenyl)2]ZrCl2/MAO in the Copolymerization of Olefins and Dienes

Olefin-diene copolymerizations in the presence of C₂ symmetric zirconocene rac-[CH₂(3-tert-butyl-1-indenyl)₂]ZrCl₂/MAO catalytic system have been reported and rationalized by experimental and molecular modeling studies. Ethene gives 1,2-cyclopropane and 1,2-cyclopentane, 1,3-cyclobutane, and 1,3-cyclopentane units in copolymerization with 1,3-butadiene, 1,4-pentadiene, and 1,5-hexadiene, respectively. Propene-1,3-butadiene copolymerizations lead to 1,2 and 1,4 butadiene units and to a low amount of 1,2-cyclopropane units.     

H-, C-NMR and ethylene polymerization studies of zirconocene/MAO catalysts: effect of the ligand structure on the formation of active intermediates and polymerization kinetics

Using ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopies, cationic intermediates formed by activation of L₂ZrCl₂ with methylaluminoxane (MAO) in toluene were monitored at Al/Zr ratios from 50 to 1000 (L₂ are various cyclopentadienyl (Cp), indenyl (Ind) and fluorenyl (Flu) ligands). The following catalysts were studied: (Cp-R)₂ZrCl₂ (R=Me, 1,2-Me₂, 1,2,3-Me₃, 1,2,4-Me₃, Me₄, Me₅, n-Bu, t-Bu), rac-ethanediyl(Ind)₂ZrCl₂, rac-Me₂Si(Ind)₂ZrCl₂, rac-Me₂Si(1-Ind-2-Me)₂ZrCl₂, rac-ethanediyl(1-Ind-4,5,6,7-H₄)₂ZrCl₂, (Ind-2-Me)₂ZrCl₂, Me₂C(Cp)(Flu)ZrCl₂, Me₂C(Cp-3-Me)(Flu)ZrCl₂ and Me₂Si(Flu)₂ZrCl₂. Correlations between spectroscopic and ethene polymerization data for catalysts (Cp-R)₂ZrCl₂/MAO (R=H, Me, 1,2-Me₂, 1,2,3-Me₃, 1,2,4-Me₃, Me₄, Me₅, n-Bu, t-Bu) and rac-Me₂Si(Ind)₂ZrCl₂ were established. The catalysts (Cp-R)₂ZrCl₂/AlMe₃/CPh₃⁺B(C₆F₅)₄⁻ (R=Me, 1,2-Me₂, 1,2,3-Me₃, 1,2,4-Me₃, Me₄, n-Bu, t-Bu) were also studied for comparison of spectroscopic and polymerization data with MAO-based systems. Complexes of type (Cp-R)₂ZrMe⁺←Me⁻-Al≡MAO (IV) with different [Me-MAO]⁻ counteranions have been identified in the (Cp-R)₂ZrCl₂/MAO (R=n-Bu, t-Bu) systems at low Al/Zr ratios (50-200). At Al/Zr ratios of 500-1000, the complex [L₂Zr(μ-Me)₂AlMe₂]⁺[Me-MAO]⁻ (III) dominates in all MAO-based reaction systems studied. Ethene polymerization activity strongly depends on the Al/Zr ratio (Al/Zr=200-1000) for the systems (Cp-R)₂ZrCl₂/MAO (R=H, Me, n-Bu, t-Bu), while it is virtually constant in the same range of Al/Zr ratios for the catalytic systems (Cp-R)₂ZrCl₂/MAO (R=1,2-Me₂, 1,2,3-Me₃, 1,2,4-Me₃, Me₄) and rac-Me₂Si(Ind)₂ZrCl₂/MAO. The data obtained are interpreted on assumption that complex III is the main precursor of the active centers of polymerization in MAO-based systems.     

Olefin terpolymerizations. I. 1,4-hexadiene

Ethylene (E), propylene (P), and 1,4-hexadiene (HD) were terpolymerized with rac-1,2-ethylenebis (1-η⁵-indenyl) zirconium(IV) dichloride and methylaluminoxane (Et[Ind]₂ZrCl₂/MAO), and compared with the copolymerizations of E/P, E/HD, P/HD, and terpolymerization using ethylidene norbornene (ENB) as the termonomer. HD lowers the polymerization activity, the effect is more pronounced for P/HD and E/P/HD using large amount of P, than for E/HD and E/P/HD using feed low in P. The polymer molecular weight is most strongly affected by the temperature of polymerization (T_p), whereas the E/P ratio in the feed has virtually no effect. The reactivity ratios r_E and r_P are 3.0 and 0.3, respectively, at 20°C but r_P becomes larger than r_E at T_P = 70°C. ¹H-NMR spectra showed occurrence of cycloaddition in the homopolymerization of HD; on the other hand, HD is incorporated in the terpolymer only by linear 1,2-addition. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Borane chain transfer reaction in olefin polymerization using trialkylboranes as chain transfer agents

This article discusses a new borane chain transfer reaction in olefin polymerization that uses trialkylboranes as a chain transfer agent and thus can be realized in conventional single site polymerization processes under mild conditions. Commercially available triethylborane (TEB) and synthesized methyl‐B‐9‐borabicyclononane (Me‐B‐9‐BBN) were engaged in metallocene/MAO [depleted of trimethylaluminum (TMA)]‐catalyzed ethylene (Cp₂ZrCl₂ and rac‐Me₂Si(2‐Me‐4‐Ph)₂ZrCl₂ as a catalyst) and styrene (Cp*Ti(OMe)₃ as catalyst) polymerizations. The two trialkylboranes were found—in most cases—able to initiate an effective chain transfer reaction, which resulted in hydroxyl (OH)‐terminated PE and s‐PS polymers after an oxidative workup process, suggesting the formation of the B‐polymer bond at the polymer chain end. However, chain transfer efficiencies were influenced substantially by the steric hindrances of both the substituent on the trialkylborane and that on the catalyst ligand. TEB was more effective than TMA in ethylene polymerization with Cp₂ZrCl₂/MAO, whereas it became less effective when the catalyst changed to rac‐Me₂Si(2‐Me‐4‐Ph)₂ZrCl₂. Both TEB and Me‐B‐9‐BBN caused an efficient chain transfer in the Cp₂ZrCl₂/MAO‐catalyzed ethylene polymerization; nevertheless, Me‐B‐9‐BBN failed in vain with rac‐Me₂Si(2‐Me‐4‐Ph)₂ZrCl₂/MAO. In the case of styrene polymerization with Cp*Ti(OMe)₃/MAO, thanks to the large steric openness of the catalyst, TEB exhibited a high efficiency of chain transfer. Overall, trialkylboranes as chain transfer agents perform as well as B? H‐bearing borane derivatives, and are additionally advantaged by a much milder reaction condition, which further boosts their applicability in the preparation of borane‐terminated polyolefins. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3534–3541, 2010     

Pressure and trimethylaluminum effects on ethene/1‐hexene copolymerization with methylaluminoxane‐activated (1,2,4‐Me3Cp)2ZrCl2: Trimethylaluminum suppression of standard termination reactions after 1‐hexene insertion

Ethene homopolymerizations and copolymerizations with 1‐hexene were catalyzed by methylaluminoxane‐activated (1,2,4‐Me₃Cp)₂ZrCl₂. Investigations of the effects of various pressures on the homopolymerizations and copolymerizations and of the effects of different concentrations of trimethylaluminum (TMA) on the copolymerizations were performed. The characteristics of the ethene/1‐hexene copolymers agreed with expectations for changes in the ethene concentration: the incorporation of 1‐hexene decreased, whereas the melting point and crystallinity increased, with increasing pressure. The main termination mechanism of the homopolymerizations was β‐hydrogen transfer to the monomer. Termination mechanisms resulting in vinylidene unsaturations dominated in the copolymerizations. Standard termination mechanisms producing vinyl and trans‐vinylene unsaturations occurred in parallel and were not influenced by the ethene or TMA concentration. In addition, some chain transfer to TMA, producing saturated end groups after hydrolysis, occurred. Copolymerizations with different additions of TMA, with the other polymerization conditions kept constant, showed that the catalytic productivity [tons of polyethylene/(mol of Zr h)], the 1‐hexene incorporation, and the molecular weight (from gel permeation chromatography) were independent of the TMA concentration. Surprisingly, the vinylidene content decreased almost linearly with increasing TMA concentration. TMA might have coordinated to the catalytic site after 1‐hexene insertion and rotation to the β‐agostic state and, therefore, suppressed the standard termination reactions after 1‐hexene insertion. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2584–2597, 2005     

New approach to block copolymerization of ethylene with polar monomers by the unique catalytic function of organolanthanide complexes

This paper describes the first examples of ABA‐ and AB‐type block copolymerizations of a nonpolar monomer, in this case ethylene, with polar monomers, such as methyl methacrylate (MMA), ϵ‐caprolactone (CL), and 2,2‐dimethyltrimethylene carbonate (DTC), initiated by the unique catalytic function of rare earth metal complexes [Sm(II) and Ln(III) (Ln = Y, Sm)] as initiators. The Sm(II) species conducts the ABA‐type triblock copolymerization, leading to poly(MMA‐co‐ethylene‐co‐MMA), poly(CL‐co‐ethylene‐co‐CL), or poly(DTC‐co‐ethylene‐co‐DTC) by the efficient catalysis of racemic Me₂Si(C₅H₂‐2‐Me₃Si‐4‐tBu)₂Sm(THF)₂ ( 1 ) or meso Me₂Si(Me₂SiOSiMe₂)(C₅H₂‐3‐tBu)Sm(THF) ( 2b ). The resulting block copolymers are completely insoluble in THF and CHCl₃, but the homopolymers of MMA, CL, and DTC are freely soluble in these solvents. TEM profiles provide direct evidence for the block copolymerizations, where the spheric morphology of homogeneously dispersed polar polymers was observed. Ln(III) species, such as racemic Me₂Si(C₅H₂‐2‐Me₃Si‐4‐tBuMe₂Si)YH ( 5 ) and Me₂Si(C₅H₂‐2‐Me₃Si‐4‐tBu)SmH ( 6 ), afford AB‐type block copolymers between ethylene and MMA or CL, whose TEM images reveal the homogeneous dispersion of poly(MMA) or poly(CL) units in the polyethylene region. The ABA‐ and AB‐type block copolymers demonstrate high break stress and high tensile modulus as compared with their corresponding blended polymers. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 4095–4109, 2000     

Alternativ-Liganden. XXV. Neue Chelatliganden des Typs Me2ESiMe2(CH2)2E′Me2 (E=P,As; E′=N,P, As)

Alternative Ligands. XXV. New Chelating Ligands of the Type Me₂ESiMe₂(CH₂)₂E′Me₂ (E=P, As; E′=N, P, As) Chelating ligands of the type Me₂EsiMe₂(CH₂)₂E′ Me₂, have been prepared by the following routes: Starting from Me₂Si(Vi)Cl, the compounds with E=N and E′ =N ( 1 ), P ( 2 ), As ( 3 ) are obtained in yields of 65 to 78% by aminolysis to yield Me₂NSiMe₂Vi, followed by the LiE′ Me₂ catalyzed addition of He′Me₂ to the vinyl group. The intermediates ClSiMe₂(CH₂)E′Me₂ [E′=N ( 4 ), P ( 5 ), As ( 6 )] are produced by the reactions of 1 to 3 with PhPCl₂. 5 and 6 can be prepared in a purer form by the photochemical addition of HPMe₂ and HAsMe₂, respectively, to the vinyl group of Me₂Si(Vo)Cl. 4 to 6 react with LiEMe₂, in situ prepared from n-BuLi and HEMe₂, to yield the ligands Me₂ESiMe₂(CH₂)₂E′Me₂ ( 7–12 ) (E=P, As; E′=N, P, As). The new compounds have been characterized by analytical and spectroscopic investigations (NMR, MS).     

Copolymerization of Propene and 5‐Vinyl‐2‐Norbornene: A Simple Route to Polar Poly(propylene)s

Summary: The metallocenes rac‐C₂H₄(Ind)₂ZrCl₂ ( 1 ), rac‐Me₂Si(Ind)₂ZrCl₂ ( 2 ), and rac‐Me₂Si(2‐Me‐benz[e]Ind)₂ZrCl₂ ( 3 ) efficiently copolymerize propene and 5‐vinyl‐2‐norbornene (VNB). 1 and 2 give a high VNB content and high productivities, whereas 3 gives moderate incorporation. Surprisingly, precatalysts 1 and 2 , which have very closely related structures, showed very different reactivities toward VNB, with 1 having a greater affinity for VNB than for propene. The copolymers are quantitatively converted into polyolefins with polar functionalities.

     

Random propene/4‐methyl‐1‐pentene copolymers synthesized with C2 symmetric highly isospecific metallocenes

Propene (P)/4‐methyl‐1‐pentene (Y) copolymers in a wide range of composition were prepared with isospecific single center catalysts, rac‐Et(IndH₄)₂ZrCl₂ ( EBTHI ), rac‐Me₂Si(2‐Me‐BenzInd)₂ZrCl₂ ( MBI ), and rac‐CH₂(3‐^tBuInd)₂ZrCl₂ ( TBI ). ¹³C NMR analysis of copolymers and statistical elaboration of microstructural data at triad level were performed. Unprecedented and surprising results are here reported. Random P/Y copolymers were prepared with the most isospecific catalyst, TBI , that is known to prepare ethene/propene and ethene/4‐methyl‐1‐pentene copolymers with long homosequences of both comonomers, whereas longer homosequences of both comonomers were observed in copolymers from the less enantioselective metallocenes EBTHI and MBI . These findings, which are against what is acknowledged in the field, can pave the way for the preparation on a large scale of random propene‐based copolymers. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2575–2585