Prof. Maurice Brookhart
Other, Seminars
Description
“Invention of Catalysts for Synthesis of New Plastics”
Abstract: This presentation will begin with a brief discussion of the properties of polyethylene and the synthesis of various forms of polyethylene via early metal catalysts and via free radical processes. Following this short discussion, I will discuss our thought processes in developing late metal olefin polymerization catalysts and focus particularly on the chemistry of Ni(II) and Pd(II) diimine-derived catalysts. The talk will finish with a discussion of issues surrounding copolymerization of ethylene and polar vinyl monomers and a mechanistic dissection of the copolymerization of ethylene with vinyl trialkoxysilanes using both Pd(II) and Ni(II) diimine catalysts.
