Copolymers of ethylene and 1-butene were synthesized using a single-site zi
rconium-based coordination catalyst. The polymers terminated exclusively in
1-butene ends, predominantly ethylvinylidene. They were carbonylated under
Koch-Haaf conditions using boron trifluoride, carbon monoxide, and phenols
to give polymeric hydrocarbons containing a single carboaryloxy group. Bot
h 1,3- and 1,5-rearrangements were observed in this synthesis. The aminatio
n reaction with polyethylene amines followed second-order kinetics, but wit
h a steadily decreasing bimolecular rate constant. The physical properties
along with the block composition of the resulting polyhydrocarbon polyamine
make this a potential candidate for motor oil dispersant. To interpret the
polymer results, appropriate model compounds consisting of appropriately b
ranched carboxylic acids, aryl eaters, and amides were synthesized. The C-1
3 NMR and IR spectra, both of the quaternary carbons and the carbonyls, sup
ported the structure assignment for the polymers. Finally, the kinetics of
the reactions of the model esters with model monoamines N,N-dimethyltrimeth
ylenediamine and N-2-(ethylamino)piperidine quantitatively reproduced the a
midation kinetics observed for the polymeric ester.