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.