Synthesis of palladium complexes with an anionic P∼O chelate and their use in copolymerization of ethene with functionalized norbornene derivatives: Unusual functionality tolerance

A series of anionic P∼O ligands and corresponding palladium - allyl complexes have been synthesized. The latter, along with palladium species formed in situ, were employed for the copolymerization of ethene with functionalized norbornene derivatives. The formed copolymers had high norbornene content (>40 mol %). The systems are highly tolerant of reactive functionalities, and the copolymerizations can even be carried out in the presence of water.