Versatile Production of Multivariate, Hyperdimensional End Group and Main Chain Functionalized Polyolefins

The (stereoselective) living coordinative copolymerization of 1-alkenes with 4-aryl-1,6-heptadienes, in both the absence and presence of multiple equivalents of a reversible chain transfer agent, is established as a highly versatile strategy for production of multivariate hyperdimensional functionalized semi-crystalline or amorphous polyolefins that optionally possess either mono- or difunctionalized (telechelic) end-groups in combination with a programmable level of incorporation of orthogonal functional groups within the main-chain. The non-conjugated diene comonomers are readily obtained from a diverse range of aryl carboxaldehyde precursors through a one-step bis-allylation process. These results serve to provide a new platform for exploring the science and technology of a vast new landscape of functionalized classes of polyolefins that are now accessible in practical and scalable quantities.