Alternating copolymerization of carbon monoxide and olefins by single-site metal catalysis

The alternating copolymerization of carbon monoxide and olefins is a reaction that transition metal complexes, generally containing palladium, catalyze in different phase variation systems. The polyketone products are not only the lowest cost bulk plastic that can be made but also polymeric materials featured by unique chemical and physical properties. These properties can be finely tuned by an appropriate choice of the catalyst and olefinic comonomer. The specific metal catalysts for each type of olefinic substrate are described together with the reaction mechanisms involved.