Specific features of nickel-catalyzed synthesis of poly(butyl (meth)acrylates)

The activity of the catalytic system NiBr₂(PPh₃)₂/Zn/PhI in polymerization of butyl acrylate and butyl methacrylate and in copolymerization of butyl methacrylate with styrene was examined.     

Polymerization of styrene by Novel Ni(a)‐ and Pd(II)‐based complexes

The catalytic activities of nine neutral nickel and palladium α‐acetylide complexes [M= (C=CR)₂(PR'₃)₂, M=Ni, Pd; R = Ph, CH₂OH, CH₂OOCH, CH₂OOCPh, CH₂OOCPhOH‐o; R' = Ph, Bu] are compared. Among them, Ni(C‐CPh)₂(PBu₃)] shows the highest catalytic activity and gives the polystyrene with high molecular weight (M_w= 188800) and a syndio‐rich microstructure. The catalytic behavior of transition metal acetylides is related to metal, phosphine, and alkynyl ligands bonded to the metal atoms.     

Ligandverhalten von P‐funktionellen Organozinnhalogeniden: Nickel(II)‐, Palladium(II)‐ und Platin(II)‐halogenid‐Komplexe mit Me2(Cl)SnCH2CH2PPh2

Ligand Behaviour of P‐functional Organotin Halides: Nickel(II), Palladium(II), and Platinum(II) Complexes with Me₂(Cl)SnCH₂CH₂PPh₂ Me₂(Cl)SnCH₂CH₂PPh₂ ( 1 ) reacts with Ni^II, Pd^II, and Pt^II halides in molar ratio 2 : 1 forming the complexes [MX₂{PPh₂CH₂CH₂Sn(Cl)Me₂}₂] (M = Ni, Pd, Pt; X = Cl, Br) ( 3 – 6 , 9 , 10 ) ( 7 , 8 : M = Ni; Br instead of Cl). The nickel complexes were isolated and characterized both as the planar ( 3 , 5 , 7 ) and the tetrahedral ( 4 , 6 , 8 ) isomer. Crystal structure analyses and NMR data indicate for the planar nickel complexes 3 , 5 , 7 and [MCl₂{PPh₂CH₂CH₂Sn(Cl)Me₂}₂] ( 9 : M = Pd; 10 : M = Pt) the existence of intra and intermolecular M–Hal…Sn bridges. In a ligand : metal molar ratio of 3 : 1 the complexes [M^éCl{PPh₂CH₂CH₂Sn^⊖Cl₂Me₂}{PPh₂CH₂CH₂Sn(Cl)Me₂}₂] ( 11 : M = Pd; 12 : M = Pt) are formed which represent intramolecular ion pairs. By dehalogenation of [PdCl₂{PPh₂CH₂CH₂Sn(Cl)Me₂}₂] ( 9 ) with sodium amalgam and graphite potassium (C₈K), respectively, the palladacycles cis‐[Pd{PPh₂CH₂CH₂SnMe₂}₂] ( 13 ) and trans‐[Pd(Cl)PPh₂CH₂CH₂SnMe₂{PPh₂CH₂CH₂Sn(Cl)Me₂}] ( 14 ) are formed. From the compounds 1 , 3 , 9 , 11 , and 12 the crystal structures are determined. All compounds are characterized by ¹H, ³¹P, and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy.     

New neutral Ni(II)- and Pd(II)-based initiators for polymerization of styrene

Neutral nickel and palladium σ-acetylide complexes [Ni(CCPh)₂(PBu₃)₂] and [Pd(CCPh)₂(PBu₃)₂] are novel initiators for the polymerization of styrene in CHCl₃ over a range of polymerization temperature from 40 to 60 °C. Between them, the nickel catalyst exhibited much higher activity than the palladium catalyst. The polystyrene obtained with Ni(II) initiator was a syndio-rich atactic polymer and its weight-average molecular weight reached 279 000. The mechanism of the polymerization was discussed and a radical mechanism was proposed.     

Sulfur‐assisted Chloride and Triphenylphosphine Dissociation of Palladium(II) Complex with Phenyloxythiocarbonyl,PhOC(S), Containing Ligand: X‐Ray Structure of [Pd(PPh3)2{η1‐C(S)OPh}(Cl)]

Treatment of Pd(PPh₃)₄ with phenylchlorothionoformate, PhOC(S)Cl, in dichloromethane at ?20 °C produces the phenyloxythiocarbonyl complex [Pd(PPh₃)₂{η¹‐C(S)OPh}(Cl)], 1 . The ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectrum of 1 shows the dissociation of either the chloride or the triphenylphosphine ligand to form complex [Pd(PPh₃)₂(η²‐SCOPh)][Cl], 2 or the dipalladium complex [Pd(PPh₃)Cl]₂(μ,η²‐SCOPh)₂, 3 . Continuous stirring of the dichloromethane solution of 1 at room temperature for 4 h forms the dipalladinum complex [Pd(PPh₃)Cl]₂(μ,η²‐SCOPh)₂, 3 as the final product. Respective reactions of 1 and Et₂NCS₂Na or dppa {bis(diphenylphosphino)amine} gives complex [Pd(PPh₃){η¹‐C(S)OPh}(η²‐S₂CNEt₂)], 4 or [Pd(PPh₃){η¹‐C(S)OPh}(η²‐dppa)][Cl], 5 . Complex 1 is determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2₁ with Z = 4. The cell dimensions of 1 are as follows: a = 9.5613(1) Å, b = 33.6732(3) Å, c = 12.2979(1) Å.     

Living radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate with a zerovalent nickel complex,Ni(PPh3)

A zerovalent nickel complex, Ni(PPh₃)₄, induced living radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in conjunction with an organic bromide as an initiator [R–Br: CCl₃Br, (CH₃)₂C(CO₂Et)Br, (CH₃)₂C(COPh)Br] in the presence of Al(Oi-Pr)₃ additive. The molecular weight distributions were narrow (M̄_w/M̄_n ∼ 1.2) throughout the reactions, and the number-average molecular weights (M̄_n) increased in direct proportion to monomer conversion. In contrast, the polymers obtained with CCl₄ in place of R–Br had broader MWDs (M̄_w/M̄_n > 2). The Al(Oi-Pr)₃ additive should be added for the smooth polymerizations of MMA to occur, similarly to those with a divalent nickel bromide, NiBr₂(PPh₃)₂. The Ni(PPh₃)₄-mediated living polymerization apparently proceeds via the activation of the C Br bond from the initiators R Br, assisted by the redox reaction of the complex between Ni(0) and Ni(I) species. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3003–3009, 1999     

High polymerization of methyl methacrylate with organonickel/MMAO systems

A series of nickel complexes, including Ni(acac)₂, (C₅H₅)Ni(η³‐allyl), and [NiMe₄Li₂(THF)₂]₂, that were activated with modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) exhibited high catalytic activity for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) but showed no catalytic activity for the polymerization of ethylene and 1‐olefins. The resulting polymers exhibited rather broad molecular weight distributions and low syndiotacticities. In contrast to these initiators, the metallocene complexes (C₅H₅)₂Ni, (C₅Me₅)₂Ni, (Ind)₂Ni, and (Me₃SiC₅H₄)₂Ni provided narrower molecular weight distributions at 60 °C when these initiator were activated with MMAO. Half‐metallocene complexes such as (C₅H₅)NiCl(PPh₃), (C₅Me₅)NiCl(PPh₃), and (Ind)NiCl(PPh₃) produced poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with much narrower molecular weight distributions when the polymerization was carried out at 0 °C. Ni[1,3‐(CF₃)₂‐acac]₂ generated PMMA with high syndiotacticity. The NiR(acac)(PPh₃) complexes (R = Me or Et) revealed high selectivity in the polymerization of isoprene that produced 1,2‐/3,4‐polymer at 0 °C exclusively, whereas the polymerization at 60 °C resulted in the formation of cis‐1,4‐rich polymers. The polymerization of ethylene with Ni(1,3‐tBu₂‐acac)₂ and Ni[1,3‐(CF₃)₂‐acac]₂ generated oligo‐ethylene with moderate catalytic activity, whereas the reaction of ethylene with Ni(acac)₂/MMAO produced high molecular weight polyethylene. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 4764–4775, 2000     

Organo‐Palladium(II)‐Verbindungen mit PdC4‐Koordination: Phenylethinyl‐ und Methylphenylethinylkomplexe

Tetrakis(p‐tolyl)oxalamidinato‐bis[acetylacetonatopalladium(II)] ([Pd₂(acac)₂(oxam)]) reacted with Li–C≡C–C₆H₅ in THF with formation of [Pd(C≡C–C₆H₅)₄Li₂(thf)₄] ( 1a ). Reaction of [Pd₂(acac)₂(oxam)] with a mixture of 6 equiv. Li–C≡C–C₆H₅ and 2 equiv. LiCH₃ resulted in the formation of [Pd(CH₃)(C≡C–C₆H₅)₃Li₂(thf)₄] ( 2 ), and the dimeric complex [Pd₂(CH₃)₄(C≡C–C₆H₅)₄Li₄(thf)₆] ( 3 ) was isolated upon reaction of [Pd₂(acac)₂(oxam)] with a mixture of 4 equiv. Li–C≡C–C₆H₅ and 4 equiv. LiCH₃. 1 – 3 are extremely reactive compounds, which were isolated as white needles in good yields (60–90%). They were fully characterized by IR, ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, ⁷Li‐NMR spectroscopy, and by X‐ray crystallography of single crystals. In these compounds Li ions are bonded to the two carbon atoms of the alkinyl ligand. 1a reacted with Pd(PPh₃)₄ in the presence of oxygen to form the already known complexes trans‐[Pd(C≡C–C₆H₅)₂(PPh₃)₂] and [Pd(η²‐O₂)(PPh₃)₂]. In addition, 1a is an active catalyst for the Heck coupling reaction, but less active in the catalytic Sonogashira reaction.     

Novel Cyclometallated Complexes Derived From a Halogenated Thiosemicarbazone. Crystal and Molecular Structures of 2‐FC6H4C(Me)=NN(H)C(=S)NHPh and [(Pd{2‐FC6H3C(Me)=NN=C(S)NHPh})2(μ‐PPh2(CH2)2PPh2)]

Treatment of the thiosemicarbazone 2‐FC₆H₄C(Me)=NN(H)C(=S)NHPh, a , with palladium(II) acetate in acetic acid, or with lithium tetrachloropalladate(II) in methanol, gave the tetranuclear cyclometallated complex [Pd{2‐FC₆H₃C(Me)=NN=C(S)NHPh}]₄ (1a) . Reaction of 1a with the diphosphines Ph₂P(CH₂)₂PPh₂ (dppe), Ph₂PCH=CHPPh₂ (trans‐dpe) Ph₂P(CH₂)₃Ph₂ (dppp) or Ph₂P(CH₂)₄Ph₂ (dppb) in a 1:2 molar ratio gave the dinuclear cyclometallated complexes [(Pd{2‐FC₆H₃C(Me)=NN=C(S)NHPh})₂(μ‐Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂)], (n = 2, 2a ; 3, 4a ; 4, 5a ) and [(Pd{2‐FC₆H₃C(Me)=NN=C(S)NHPh})₂(μ‐Ph₂PCH=CHPPh₂)], ( 3a ). The X‐ray crystal structure of ligand a and of complex 2a are described. The structure of complex 2a shows the palladium atom is bonded to four different donor atoms: C, N, S and P.     

Synthesis of 2‐(N‐arylimino)pyrrolide nickel complexes and polymerization of methyl methacrylate

The synthesis, characterization and methyl methacrylate polymerization behaviors of 2‐(N‐arylimino)pyrrolide nickel complexes are described. The nickel complex [NN]₂Ni ( 1 , [NN] = [2‐C(H)NAr‐5‐tBu‐C₄H₂N]^?, Ar = 2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) was prepared in good yield by the reaction of [NN]Li with trans‐[Ni(Cl)(Ph)(PPh₃)₂] in THF. Reaction of [NN]Li with NiBr₂(DME) yielded the nickel bromide [NN]Ni(Br)[NNH] ( 2 ). Complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, and by X‐ray single crystal analysis. Both complexes, upon activation with methylaluminoxane, are highly active for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate to give high molecular weight polymethylmethacrylate with narrow molecular distributions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of 2‐aminomethylpiperidine ruthenium(II) phosphine complexes and their applications in transfer hydrogenation of aryl ketones

The complex trans,cis‐[RuCl₂(PPh₃)₂(ampi)] (2) was prepared by reaction of RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ with 2‐aminomethylpiperidine(ampi) (1). [RuCl₂(PPh₂(CH₂)_nPPh₂)(ampi) (n = 3, 4, 5)] (3–5) were synthesized by displacement of two PPh₃ with chelating phosphine ligands. All complexes (2–5) were characterized by ¹ H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR, IR and UV‐visible spectroscopy and elemental analysis. They were found to be efficient catalysts for transfer hydrogen reactions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reactions of benzylchlorobis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate

Benzylchlorobis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) reacted with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate to give [Pd[C(CO₂Me)=C(CH₂Ph)(CO₂Me)]Cl(PPh₃)₂] (II) and [(Ph₃P)ClPdμ-C(CO₂Me)=C(CO₂Me)PdCl(PPh₃) (III). Complexes II and III reacted with Tl(acac) to afford [PdC(CO₂Me=C(CH₂Ph)(CO₂Me)-(acac)(PPh₃)] and [(Ph₃P)(acac)Pdμ-C(CO₂Me)=C(CO₂Me)Pd(acac)(PPh₃)], respectively.     

Novel cyclohexyl‐substituted salicylaldiminato–nickel(II) complex as a catalyst for ethylene homopolymerization and copolymerization

The cyclohexyl‐substituted salicylaldiminato–Ni(II) complex [O? (3‐C₆H₁₁)(5‐CH₃)C₆H₂CH?N‐2,6‐C₆H₃ⁱPr₂]Ni(PPh₃)(Ph) ( 4 ) has been synthesized and characterized with ¹H NMR and X‐ray structure analysis. In the presence of phosphine scavengers such as bis(1,5‐cyclooctadiene)nickel(0) [Ni(COD)₂], triisobutylaluminum (TIBA), and triethylaluminum (TEA), 4 is an active catalyst for ethylene polymerization and copolymerization with the polar monomers tert‐butyl‐10‐undecenoate, methyl‐10‐undecenoate, and 4‐penten‐1‐ol under mild conditions. The polymerization parameters affecting the catalytic activity and viscosity‐average molecular weight of polyethylene, such as the temperature, time, ethylene pressure, and catalyst concentration, are discussed. A polymerization activity of 3.62 × 10⁵ g of PE (mol of Ni h)^?1 and a weight‐average molecular weight of polyethylene of 5.73 × 10⁴ g^.mol^?1 have been found for 10 μmol of 4 and a Ni(COD)₂/ 4 ratio of 3 in a 30‐mL toluene solution at 45 °C and 12 × 10⁵ Pa of ethylene for 20 min. The polydispersity index of the resulting polyethylene is about 2.04. After the addition of tetrahydrofuran and Et₂O to the reaction system, 4 exhibits still high activity for ethylene polymerization. Methyl‐10‐undecenoate (0.65 mol %), 0.74 mol % tert‐butyl‐10‐undecenoate, and 0.98 mol % 4‐penten‐1‐ol have been incorporated into the polymer. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 6071–6080, 2004     

Cationic Palladium(II), Platinum(II), and Rhodium(I) Complexes as Acetalisation Catalysts

The use of [Pd(H₂O)2(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)] (CF₃SO₃)₂ as a catalyst for the acetalisation of a variety of aldehydes and ketones and for trans-acetalisation is described. It is also shown that Pt(H₂O)2(PH₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂) (CF₃SO₃)₂ is at least as effective as the corresponding Pd compound, while much lower reaction rates are observed with [Rh(MeOH)₂(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)] [BF₄].     

Pyrrole‐2‐carbaldehyde Thiosemicarbazonates of Nickel(II) and Palladium(II): Synthesis,Structure, and Spectroscopy

Complexes of pyrrole‐2‐carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazones, [(C₄H₄N⁴)(H)C²=N³–N²(H)–C¹(=S)–N¹HR; R = Ph, H₂L¹; Me, H₂L²; H, H₂L³] with nickel(II) and palladium(II) are described. The reaction of nickel(II) acetate with H₂L¹ in methanol in 1:1 molar ratio yielded a complex of composition, [Ni(κ²‐N³,S‐HL¹)₂] ( 1 ). Likewise reaction of NiCl₂ with H₂L² in 1:1 molar ratio in acetonitrile in the presence of triethylamine base followed by the addition of pyridine did not yield the anticipated [Ni(κ³‐N⁴,N³,S‐L²)(py)] complex, moreover a bis‐square‐planar complex, [Ni(κ²‐N³,S‐HL²)₂] ( 2 ) was formed. However, in the presence of bipyridine (bipy), it yielded the addition product, [Ni(κ²‐N³,S‐HL²)₂(κ²‐N, N‐bipy)] ( 3 ). Reaction of PdCl₂(κ²‐P, P–PPh₂–CH₂–PPh₂) with H₂L³ in toluene in the presence of triethylamine has yielded a complex of stoichiometry, [Pd(κ³‐N⁴,N³,S–L³)(κ¹‐P–PPh₂–CH₂–P(O)Ph₂] ( 4 ). The ligands (HL¹)^– and (HL²)^– are chelating to Ni^II metal atom as anions binding through N³,S‐donor atoms with pendant pyrrole groups, and (L³)^2– is chelating to the Pd^II metal atom as dianion through N⁴,N³,S‐donor atoms (pyrrole is N⁴‐bonded). Fourth site in 4 is bonded to one P‐donor atom of PPh₂–CH₂–P(O)Ph₂, whose pendant –PPh₂ group involves auto oxidation to –P(O)PPh₂ during reaction. These complexes were characterized using analytical data, IR, NMR (¹H, ³¹P) spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. Complexes 1 , 2 , and 4 have square‐planar arrangement, whereas complex 3 is octahedral.     

Free Radical‐Induced and Pd(II) Complexes‐Catalyzed Poly(norbornene) Formation

The reactions of norbornene polymerization were catalyzed by Pd(CH₃CN)₄(BF₄)₂ ( 1 ), AIBN ( 2 ), and [{(2,6‐C₆H₃(ⁱPr)₂)N=C(Me)}₂Pd(Me)(CH₃CN)][BF₄] ( 3 ) without using methylalumoxane (MAO). These poly(norbornene)s are readily soluble in organic solvents such as toluene, dichloromethane and tetrahydrofuran. According to the NMR data, the end group of PNA resulting from the AIBN process is found from THF. The PNT resulting from the catalyst ( 1 ) shows bi‐models of GPC bands (M_n= 4236 and 66317), two glass transition temperatures (T_g = 72.7 and 201.5 °C), as well as two decomposition temperatures (Td = 337 and 460 °C).     

茚基镍的卤化物/四苯硼钠/三苯基膦体系催化苯乙烯聚合

The catalytic activity of a series of indenylnickel（Ⅱ） halides： （1-R-Ind）Ni（PPh3）X （R=ethyl, cyclopentyl and benzyl, while X=Cl, Br and I）, towards styrene polymerization was studied in the presence of NaBPh4 and PPh3. The catalytic property of these halides was related to the substituent group on the indenyl ligand and the halogen atom bonded to the metal atom. Among them, the （1-Et-Ind）Ni（PPh3）Cl/NaBPha/PPh3 system showed the highest activity for the polymerization of styrene, and the polystyrene obtained was a syndio-rich （rr triad） atactic polymer with Mn values in the range of 103--104. The mechanism of the styrene polymerization initiated by the （1-Et-Ind）Ni（PPh3）Cl/NaBPha/PPh3 system was studied.     

Synthesis of di‐ and triblock copolymers of styrene and butyl acrylate by controlled atom transfer radical polymerization

Di‐ and triblock copolymers of styrene and butyl acrylate with controlled molar masses (M_n up to ≈ 10⁵) were sequentially prepared by radical atom transfer polymerization in a homogeneous medium using chlorine end capped polymers as initiators and the copper^(I) chloride/bipyridine complex as catalyst, in the presence of dimethylformamide. Random poly(styrene‐co‐butyl acrylate) was synthesized and the cross‐over reactions between Cl end capped polystyrene and poly(butyl acrylate) to the opposite monomers were examined.     

Cyclopentadienyl Ruthenium(II) Complexes with Bridging Alkynylphosphine Ligands: Synthesis and Electrochemical Studies

The reaction of [CpRuCl(PPh₃)₂] (Cp=cyclopentadienyl) and [CpRuCl(dppe)] (dppe=Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂) with bis‐ and tris‐phosphine ligands 1,4‐(Ph₂PC≡C)₂C₆H₄ ( 1 ) and 1,3,5‐(Ph₂PC≡C)₃C₆H₃ ( 2 ), prepared by Ni‐catalysed cross‐coupling reactions between terminal alkynes and diphenylchlorophosphine, has been investigated. Using metal‐directed self‐assembly methodologies, two linear bimetallic complexes, [{CpRuCl(PPh₃)}₂(μ‐dppab)] ( 3 ) and [{CpRu(dppe)}₂(μ‐dppab)](PF₆)₂ ( 4 ), and the mononuclear complex [CpRuCl(PPh₃)(η¹‐dppab)] ( 6 ), which contains a “dangling arm” ligand, were prepared (dppab=1,4‐bis[(diphenylphosphino)ethynyl]benzene). Moreover, by using the triphosphine 1,3,5‐tris[(diphenylphosphino)ethynyl]benzene (tppab), the trimetallic [{CpRuCl(PPh₃)}₃(μ₃‐tppab)] ( 5 ) species was synthesised, which is the first example of a chiral‐at‐ruthenium complex containing three different stereogenic centres. Besides these open‐chain complexes, the neutral cyclic species [{CpRuCl(μ‐dppab)}₂] ( 7 ) was also obtained under different experimental conditions. The coordination chemistry of such systems towards supramolecular assemblies was tested by reaction of the bimetallic precursor 3 with additional equivalents of ligand 2 . Two rigid macrocycles based on cis coordination of dppab to [CpRu(PPh₃)] were obtained, that is, the dinuclear complex [{CpRu(PPh₃)(μ‐dppab)}₂](PF₆)₂ ( 8 ) and the tetranuclear square [{CpRu(PPh₃)(μ‐dppab)}₄](PF₆)₄ ( 9 ). The solid‐state structures of 7 and 8 have been determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis and show a different arrangement of the two parallel dppab ligands. All compounds were characterised by various methods including ESIMS, electrochemistry and by X‐band ESR spectroscopy in the case of the electrogenerated paramagnetic species.     

Polyolefin graft copolymers via living polymerization techniques: Preparation of poly(n‐butyl acrylate)‐graft‐polyethylene through the combination of Pd‐mediated living olefin polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization

Poly(n‐butyl acrylate)‐graft‐branched polyethylene was successfully prepared by the combination of two living polymerization techniques. First, a branched polyethylene macromonomer with a methacrylate‐functionalized end group was prepared by Pd‐mediated living olefin polymerization. The macromonomer was then copolymerized with n‐butyl acrylate by atom transfer radical polymerization. Gel permeation chromatography traces of the graft copolymers showed narrow molecular weight distributions indicative of a controlled reaction. At low macromonomer concentrations corresponding to low viscosities, the reactivity ratios of the macromonomer to n‐butyl acrylate were similar to those for methyl methacrylate to n‐butyl acrylate. However, the increased viscosity of the reaction solution resulting from increased macromonomer concentrations caused a lowering of the apparent reactivity ratio of the macromonomer to n‐butyl acrylate, indicating an incompatibility between nonpolar polyethylene segments and a polar poly(n‐butyl acrylate) backbone. The incompatibility was more pronounced in the solid state, exhibiting cylindrical nanoscale morphology as a result of microphase separation, as observed by atomic force microscopy. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2736–2749, 2002