Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards methods of making an alkylated metallocene having one or more tetrahydropentalenyl groups, the method comprising: reacting a chloride compound with a lithium compound to make a reaction mixture comprising an intermediate dichloride compound; and reacting the intermediate dichloride compound with an alkylating agent to make the alkylated metallocene having one or more tetrahydropentalenyl groups, wherein the dichloride compound is not isolated from the reaction mixture, wherein the lithium compound is represented by: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are each independently H or a (C1-C4) alkyl.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a metal-ligand complex catalyst precursor, (L1)(L2)X(R1)(R2), and methods for producing the same from a compound of formula Q2X(R1)(R2). L1 and L2 are independently —R3—Z1 or —R4—Z1. R1 and R2 are independently selected from a hydrogen atom, (C1-C40)hydrocarbyl and, optionally, R1 and R2 are connected to form a ring having from 3 to 50 atoms in the ring, excluding hydrogen atoms. X is Si, Ge, Sn, or Pb. Each Q is independently Ar1—Y1R3— or Ar2—Y2—R4—. R3 and R4 are independently selected from —(CRC2)m—, where m is 1 or 2, and where each Rc is independently selected from the group consisting of (C1-C40)hydrocarbyl, (C1-C40)heterohydrocarbyl, and —H. Y1 and Y2 are independently S, Se, or Te. Ar1 and Ar2 are independently (C6-C50)aryl. Ar1—Y1—R3— and Ar2—Y2—R4— are not identical. Each Z1 is independently selected from Cl, Br, and I.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods of making a polymer, including exposing a reaction mixture including a strained cyclic unsaturated monomer and an organic initiator to a stimulus to provide an activated organic initiator, whereby the activated organic initiator is effective to polymerize the strained cyclic unsaturated monomer via a 4-membered carbocyclic intermediate to provide a polymer having constitutional units derived from the strained cyclic unsaturated monomer.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods of making a polymer, including exposing a reaction mixture including a strained cyclic unsaturated monomer and an organic initiator to a stimulus to provide an activated organic initiator, whereby the activated organic initiator is effective to polymerize the strained cyclic unsaturated monomer via a 4-membered carbocyclic intermediate to provide a polymer having constitutional units derived from the strained cyclic unsaturated monomer.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods of making a polymer, including exposing a reaction mixture including a strained cyclic unsaturated monomer and an organic initiator to a stimulus to provide an activated organic initiator, whereby the activated organic initiator is effective to polymerize the strained cyclic unsaturated monomer via a 4-membered carbocyclic intermediate to provide a polymer having constitutional units derived from the strained cyclic unsaturated monomer.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods of making a polymer, including exposing a reaction mixture including a strained cyclic unsaturated monomer and an organic initiator to a stimulus to provide an activated organic initiator, whereby the activated organic initiator is effective to polymerize the strained cyclic unsaturated monomer via a 4-membered carbocyclic intermediate to provide a polymer having constitutional units derived from the strained cyclic unsaturated monomer.