Insertion Copolymerization of Difunctional Polar Vinyl Monomers with Ethylene

A single-step synthesis, structural characterization and application of a neutral, acetonitrile ligated, palladium–phosphinesulfonate complex [{P∧O}PdMe(L)] (P∧O = κ2-P,O–Ar2PC6H4SO2O with Ar = 2-MeOC6H4; L = CH3CN) (3) in coordination/insertion copolymerization of ethylene with difunctional olefin is investigated. In a significant development, complex 3 was found to catalyze insertion copolymerization of industrially relevant 1,1-disubstituted difunctional vinyl monomers for the first time. Thus, insertion copolymerization of ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate (ECA or super glue) and trifluoromethyl acrylic acid (TFMAA) with ethylene produced the corresponding copolymers with 6.5% ECA and 3% TFMAA incorporation. Increasing the concentration of difunctional olefins led to higher incorporation but at the expense of lower activities. These observations indicate that complex 3 tolerates difunctional vinyl monomers and provides direct access to difunctional polyolefins that have not been attempted before.