Dipalladium Catalyst for Olefin Polymerization: Introduction of Acrylate Units into the Main Chain of Branched Polyethylene

A dipalladium complex with a double‐decker structure catalyzes ethylene–acrylate copolymerization to produce the branched polymer containing the acrylate units in the polymer chain, not at the branch terminus. The cooperation of the two palladium centers, which are fixed in a rigid framework of the macrocyclic ligand, is proposed to have a significant dinuclear effect on the copolymerization. Double‐decker: A dinuclear palladium complex with a double‐decker structure promotes ethylene–acrylate copolymerization to produce a branched polymer with an acrylate unit in the polymer chain. The copolymer and its hydrolysis product, having COOH groups on the polymer chain, are soft and its cast film can be stretched. The cooperation of the two palladium centers is proposed to have a dinuclear effect on the copolymerization.