Hydroxyl-Functionalized Norbornene Based Co- and Terpolymers by Scandium Half-Sandwich Catalyst

Copolymerization of ethylene with 5-norbornene-2-methanol and terpolymerization of ethylene with norbornene and 5-norbornene-2-methanol by a rare-earth metal based catalyst, specifically the half-sandwich bis(alkyl) scandium precursor [Sc(η 5 -C 5 Me 4 SiMe 3 )(η 1 -CH 2 Si-Me 3 ) 2 (THF)] activated by [Ph 3 C][B(C 6 F 5 ) 4 ] were successfully achieved for the first time. A protocol for masking of -OH functionality by Al i Bu 3 to avoid catalyst poisoning was exploited. Copolymers with high molar masses and noticeable incorporation of functionalized norbornene derivative were obtained. Terpolymers with very high molar masses and with a broad range of composition were prepared with excellent yields.