Your browser does not fully support modern features. Please upgrade for a smoother experience.
Submitted Successfully!
Thank you for your contribution! You can also upload a video entry or images related to this topic. For video creation, please contact our Academic Video Service.
Version Summary Created by Modification Content Size Created at Operation
1 Helena Kang -- 196 2026-09-23 07:29:51 |
2 typo Helena Kang -10 word(s) 186 2026-09-24 06:01:40 |

Video Upload Options

We provide professional Academic Video Service to translate complex research into visually appealing presentations. Would you like to try it?
Cite
If you have any further questions, please contact Encyclopedia Editorial Office.
Kang, H. Olefin Polymerization. Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/60366 (accessed on 06 October 2026).
Kang H. Olefin Polymerization. Encyclopedia. Available at: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/60366. Accessed October 06, 2026.
Kang, Helena. "Olefin Polymerization" Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/60366 (accessed October 06, 2026).
Kang, H. (2026, September 23). Olefin Polymerization. In Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/60366
Kang, Helena. "Olefin Polymerization." Encyclopedia. Web. 23 September, 2026.
Olefin Polymerization
Edit

Olefin polymerization is the catalytic chain-growth conversion of alkenes into high-molecular-weight macromolecules by repeated migratory insertion of monomer into a metal–carbon bond at a coordination-polymerization active site [1][2]. The concept is bounded by an insertion mechanism—rather than a radical, cationic, or anionic chain carrier—and by monomers that are simple olefins or α-olefins. Essential components are a transition-metal precursor, a cocatalyst that generates a cationic metal–alkyl and a weakly coordinating anion, and a vacant coordination site that binds the incoming olefin [2]. Catalyst classes include metallocenes, ansa-cyclopentadienyl-amido constrained-geometry complexes, and a broad set of non-metallocene ligands on early and late metals [1][3][4]. Multinuclear designs place two or more metal centers in proximity so that cooperative insertion or chain transfer can occur [4]. The process is distinguished from olefin metathesis polymerization by net saturation of the double bond in each insertion step, and from free-radical polyethylene processes by the metal-centered stereochemical control that determines regiochemistry, tacticity, and copolymer composition. Conceptual limits exclude polymerizations in which the olefin functions only as a comonomer in a radical or ionic mechanism without metal coordination.

olefin polymerization coordination insertion cocatalyst single-site catalyst

References

  1. Vernon C. Gibson; Stefan K. Spitzmesser; Advances in Non-Metallocene Olefin Polymerization Catalysis. Chem. Rev. 2002, 103, 283-316. [CrossRef]
  2. Eugene You-Xian Chen; Tobin J. Marks; Cocatalysts for Metal-Catalyzed Olefin Polymerization: Activators, Activation Processes, and Structure−Activity Relationships. Chem. Rev. 2000, 100, 1391-1434. [CrossRef]
  3. George J. P. Britovsek; Vernon C. Gibson; Duncan F. Wass; The Search for New-Generation Olefin Polymerization Catalysts: Life beyond Metallocenes. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 1999, 38, 428-447. [CrossRef]
  4. Massimiliano Delferro; Tobin J. Marks; Multinuclear Olefin Polymerization Catalysts. Chem. Rev. 2011, 111, 2450-2485. [CrossRef]
More
Upload a video for this entry
Information
Subjects: Polymer Science
Contributor MDPI registered users' name will be linked to their SciProfiles pages. To register with us, please refer to https://encyclopedia.pub/register : Helena Kang
View Times: 8
Revisions: 2 times (View History)
Update Date: 24 Sep 2026
Notice
You are not a member of the advisory board for this topic. If you want to update advisory board member profile, please contact office@encyclopedia.pub.
OK
Confirm
Only members of the Encyclopedia advisory board for this topic are allowed to note entries. Would you like to become an advisory board member of the Encyclopedia?
Yes
No
${ textCharacter }/${ maxCharacter }
Submit
Cancel
There is no comment~
${ textCharacter }/${ maxCharacter }
Submit
Cancel
${ selectedItem.replyTextCharacter }/${ selectedItem.replyMaxCharacter }
Submit
Cancel
Confirm
Are you sure to Delete?
Yes No
Academic Video Service