Cocatalysts for metal-catalyzed olefin polymerization: Activators, activation processes, and structure-activity relationships

The principal topics in cocatalytic chemistry are discussed. The topics discussed include: types and intrinsic structural features of commonly-used activators; activation processes embodied in the various chemical reactions between the precatalyst and cocatalyst; catalyst-cocatalyst structure-activity relationships as revealed by the nature of cation-anion interactions in both the solid state and in solution; thermodynamics of catalyst activation; kinetics of ion pair dissociation/reorganization processes; and how these interactions are intimately connected with polymerization activity and stereospecificity. Common deactivation processes and the forces stabilizing highly electrophilic cationic metal complexes in solution are also discussed.