Research community previously filed under “Organic Chemistry”

Transition-Metal Catalysts for Olefin Metathesis and Ethylene Polymerization

Papers 17,933
Elements 9
Keywords & sectors 21
Leading venue Organometallics

Transition-Metal Catalysts for Olefin Metathesis and Ethylene Polymerization

This community develops metal-based catalysts to build, modify, and recycle polyolefins and other polymers through metathesis and ring-opening reactions.

The work centers on designing ligands for nickel, ruthenium, palladium, and titanium complexes to control polymerization of ethylene, propylene, and cyclic monomers. Key methods include olefin metathesis, ring-opening metathesis polymerization, and radical polymerization. Researchers focus on tuning molecular weight, copolymerization with polar monomers, and creating functional polyethylenes. Recent efforts also address the chemical recycling of polyethylene and polylactic acid, as well as the synthesis of biodegradable polymers like polycaprolactone.

The largest share of the community's output is found in ruthenium research, accounting for 9.0% of all ruthenium studies, and 3,164 papers here. This is followed by molybdenum and tungsten, each representing 5.0% of their respective element research.

The community comprises 17,933 papers, published primarily in Organometallics, the Journal of Organometallic Chemistry, and the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Recent work includes nickel-catalyzed olefin copolymerization with polar monomers, sustainable polyolefin synthesis and recycling, and the development of chemically recyclable multiblock copolymer adhesives.

Recurring themes in the literature

Phrases that recur across this community's paper titles -- a quick map of its sub-topics, drawn straight from the titles themselves.

  • olefin metathesis 365
  • ethylene polymerization 179
  • ring-opening polymerization 125
  • ring opening 100
  • metathesis polymerization 86
  • nickel catalysts 84
  • metathesis catalysts 78
  • diimine nickel 78
  • radical polymerization 68
  • ethylene oligomerization 66
  • complexes bearing 66
  • opening polymerization 64
  • molecular weight 63
  • olefin polymerization 58
  • catalysts ethylene 50
  • heterocyclic carbene 50
  • palladium complexes 49
  • polymerization caprolactone 48
  • nickel complexes 46
  • carbene complexes 45
  • catalytic activity 44
  • titanium complexes 43
  • copolymerization ethylene 43
  • ruthenium complexes 42

Papers behind this description

Most cited
Polymers · 2021 · 630 citations
Coordination Chemistry Reviews · 2025 · 62 citations
Chemical Reviews · 2024 · 95 citations
Science · 2023 · 120 citations
Newest
Progress in Polymer Science · 2025 · 20 citations
National Science Review · 2025 · 19 citations
Journal of the American Chemical Society · 2025 · 18 citations
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 2025 · 14 citations
ACS Catalysis · 2025 · 12 citations
Journal of Molecular Structure · 2025 · 11 citations