PALLADIUM(II)-CATALYZED ALTERNATING COPOLYMERIZATION OF ALKENES WITH SULFUR-DIOXIDE

Cationic palladium(II) complexes of the type [L2Pd(CH3)(CH3CN)]BF4 (L- 2 =1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (Dppp) or 1,2-bis( 2,5-dimethylph ospholano)benzene (Me-Duphos)) were found to catalyze the alternating copolymerization of ethene, propene and cyclopentene with sulfur dioxi de, as well as the terpolymerization of ethene, propene and sulfur dio xide. The resultant materials are high melting solids with an alternat ing alkene-SO2 structure and an exclusive head-to-tail enchainment for propene. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.