Tuning polyolefins and polydienes microstructure and architecture via coordinative chain transfer polymerization

Coordinative chain transfer polymerization (CCTP) is a reversible group transfer polymerization involving a transition metal catalyst and a main group metal alkyl. CCTP affords well-controlled polymerizations of olefins and conjugated dienes with catalyst economy and good potential for polymer end-functionalization. New concepts have recently emerged in this field, affording unprecedented control over both microstructure and architecture of the resulting polymers and copolymers. These concepts are presented and discussed in this perspective. Copyright (C) 2011 Society of Chemical Industry