Hydroxyl-functionalized norbornene based co- and terpolymers by scandium half-sandwich catalyst

Copolymerization of ethylene with 5-norbornene-2-methanol and terpolymerization of ethylene with norbornene and 5-norbornene-2-methanol by a rare-earth metal based catalyst, specifically the half-sandwich bis(alkyl) scandium precursor [Sc(eta(5)-C(5)Me(4)SiMe(3))(eta(1)-CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(THF)] activated by [Ph(3)C][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] were successfully achieved for the first time. A protocol for masking of -OH functionality by Al(i)Bu(3) to avoid catalyst poisoning was exploited. Copolymers with high molar masses and noticeable incorporation of functionalized norbornene derivative were obtained. Terpolymers with very high molar masses and with a broad range of composition were prepared with excellent yields.