Abstract: A catalyst and method for the co- and terpolymerization of monomers of ethylene, other olefins, and alkynes with carbon monoxide is provided. Such a catalyst a method can be used for form living polymers. The catalyst of the present invention comprises an active cationic portion of the formula ##STR1## wherein M is a Group VIII metal, L.sup.1 and L.sup.2 are two electron donor ligands or are joined to form a bidentate four election donor ligand, R is alkyl, aryl or acyl, and L.sup.3 is CO or a ligand capable of being displaced by CO; and a non-coordinating anionic portion, soluble in inert solvents of the formulaX.sub.n G.sup.-wherein G is B, CH, N, SO.sub.3, SO.sub.3 CH, R.sub.f SO.sub.2 CH, or NSO.sub.2 R.sub.f wherein R.sub.f is C.sub.n F.sub.2n+1 where n is 1 to 10 and X is F, R.sub.f SO.sub.2, FSO.sub.2 or C.sub.6 H.sub.(5-m) Z.sub.m wherein Z is F, Cl, a hydrocarbyl radical, substituted hydrocarbyl radical or combinations thereof, and m is from 1 to 5, and n of X.sub.n is from 1 to 4.

Abstract: A catalyst and method for the co-and terpolymerization of monomers of ethylene, other olefins, and alkynes with carbon monoxide is provided. Such a catalyst a method can be used for form living polymers. The catalyst of the present invention comprises an active cationic portion of the formula ##STR1## wherein M is a Group VIII metal, L.sup.1 and L.sup.2 are two electron donor ligands or are joined to form a bidentate four electron donor ligand, R is alkyl, aryl or acyl, and L.sup.3 is CO or a ligand capable of being displaced by CO; and a non-coordinating anionic portion, soluble in inert solvents of the formulaX.sub.n G.sup.-wherein G is B, CH, N, SO.sub.3, SO.sub.3 CH, R.sub.f SO.sub.2 CH, or NSO.sub.2 R.sub.f wherein R.sub.f is C.sub.n F.sub.2+1 where n is 1 to 10 and X is F,R.sub.f SO.sub.2, FSO.sub.2 or C.sub.6 H.sub.(5-m) Z.sub.m wherein Z is F, C1, a hydrocarbyl radical, substituted hydrocarbyl radical or combinations thereof, and m is from 1 to 5, and n of X.sub.n is from 1 to 4.