Synthesis and characterization of hyperbranched polyethylenes containing cross-linking structures by chain walking copolymerization of ethylene with diacrylate comonomer

We report the synthesis of higher-molecular-weight hyperbranched polyethylenes containing cross-linking structures via chain walking copolymerization of ethylene with a diacrylate cross-linker, 1,4-butanediol diacrylate, using a Pd-diimine catalyst, [(ArNC(Me)–(Me)CNAr)Pd(CH3)(NCMe)]SbF6 (Ar=2,6-(iPr)2C6H3). The hyperbranched chain topology of these polymers was achieved through the chain walking mechanism of the Pd-diimine catalyst. By …