A cross metathesis strategy is reported for the post-polymerization functionalization of the pendant vinyl groups present in a range of polyolefin architectures. This represents a general strategy for the synthesis of tailored random and block copolymers as well as homopolymers.

The introduction of single-site catalysts in the polyolefins industry opens new routes to design resins with improved performance through multicatalyst-multireactor processes. Physical combination of various polyolefin types in a secondary extrusion process is also a common practice to achieve new products with improved properties. The new resins have complex structures, especially in terms of ...

A simple, one-pot approach to synthesize random semicrystalline/amorphous multiblock copolymers (12-17 blocks per chain on average) is demonstrated that takes advantage of acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization of α,ω-divinyl-terminated telechelic polyolefins. This synthetic approach offers a generic, viable and economical route to polyolefin-based multiblock copolymers and may be exte...

Of all polymerization methods, catalytic polymerization offers the broadest scope of microstructure control. Stereoregularity, comonomer incorporation and sequences, molecular weights, and molecular weight distributions can be controlled by the catalyst structure. Polyolefins are produced on a vast scale of nearly 100 million tons annually, predominantly by catalytic polymerization. High-densit...

A hypothesis was developed, and successfully tested, to greatly increase the rates of biodegradation of polyolefins, by anchoring minute quantities of glucose, sucrose or lactose, onto functionalized polystyrene (polystyrene-co-maleic anhydride copolymer) and measuring their rates of biodegradation, which were found to be significantly improved.