Abstract: An enolate functionalized reaction intermediate of general formula (I), wherein X is an alkyl group; Z is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, hydrogen, halogen, alkoxy, thiol, aryloxy or ester; n is an integer and is at least one; Y is alkyl or H; the tetradentate ligand around the Al is optionally substituted. Also claimed is a process for the preparation of the enolate functionalized reaction intermediate and its reaction with a vinylic monomer and a Lewis acid to produce the corresponding vinylic polymer.

Abstract: A polymerisation process for the preparation of vinylic polymers from the corresponding vinylic monomers which process comprises the step of reacting a vinylic monomer in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a) a metal complex of general formula (I) where A is selected from the group consisting of nickel, iron, cobalt, chromium, manganese, titanium, zirconium, vanadium and the rare earth metals; L1, L2, L3 and L4 are ligands and b) a Lewis acid of general formula (II) wherein at least one of W, Y or Z is capable of forming a co-ordination bond with A and the others of W, Y and Z are bulky groups; D is selected from the group consisting of aluminium, magnesium, zinc and boron.

Abstract: A polymerization process for the preparation of vinylic polymers from the corresponding vinylic monomers which process comprises the step of reacting a vinylic monomer in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a) a compound of general formula (I) where M is any metal capable of coordinating to an enolate or delocalized enolate-like species; B1, B2, B3 and B4 are chosen from nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur or phosphorus containing moieties wherein each of said nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur or phosporus is linked to at least one carbon atom of an organic group and to M; X1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, H, halogen, alkoxy, thiol aryloxy, ester, b) a metal, complex of general formula (II) where A is selected from the group consisting of nickel, iron, cobalt, chromium, manganese, titanium, zirconium, vanadium and the rare earth metals; L1, L2, L3 and L4 are ligands and c) a Lewis acid of general formula (III) wherein at least one of W, Y or Z is capable of forming a co-ordination bond with A and the

Abstract: An enolate functionalized reaction intermediate of general formula (I), wherein X is an alkyl group; Z is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, hydrogen, halogen, alkoxy, thiol, aryloxy or ester; n is an integer and is at least one; Y is alkyl or H; the tetradentate ligand around the Al is optionally substituted. Also claimed is a process for the preparation of the enolate functionalized reaction intermediate and its reaction with a vinylic monomer and a Lewis acid to produce the corresponding vinylic polymer.

Abstract: An enolate functionalized reaction intermediate, represented by the formula (I) shown in the specification, such as, N,N′-ethylenebis (3,5-di-tertbutylsalicylidene imine) enolate of ter-butyl-isobutyrate aluminum, is useful for the production of vinyl polymers, such as polymethylmethacrylate, from the corresponding vinyl polymers, e.g., methylmethacrylate, by a living polymerization reaction. A Lewis acid may be used in the polymerization.

Abstract: 1 A polymerisation process for the preparation of vinylic polymers from the corresponding vinylic monomers which process comprises the step of reacting a vinylic monomer in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a) a metal complex of general formula (I) where A is selected from the group consisting of nickel, iron, cobalt, chromium, manganese, titanium, zirconium, vanadium and the rare earth metals; L1, L2, L3 and L4 are ligands and b) a Lewis acid of general formula (II) wherein at least one of W, Y or Z is capable of formming a co-ordination bond with A and the others of W, Y and Z are bulky groups; D is selected from the group consisting of aluminium, magnesium, zinc and boron.

Abstract: A polymerization process for the preparation of vinylic polymers from the corresponding vinylic monomers which process comprises the step of reacting a vinylic monomer in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a) a compound of general formula (I) where M is any metal capable of coordinating to an enolate or delocalized enolate-like species; B1, B2, B3 and B4 are chosen from nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur or phosphorus containing moieties wherein each of said nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur or phosporus is linked to at least one carbon atom of an organic group and to M; X1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, H, halogen, alkoxy, thiol aryloxy, ester, b) a metal, complex of general formula (II) where A is selected from the group consisting of nickel, iron, cobalt, chromium, manganese, titanium, zirconium, vanadium and the rare earth metals; L1, L2, L3 and L4 are ligands and c) a Lewis acid of general formula (III) wherein at least one of W, Y or Z is capable of forming a co-ordination bond with A and the

Abstract: An enolate functionalised reaction intermediate of general formula (I), wherein X is an alkyl group; Z is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, hydrogen, halogen, alkoxy, thiol, aryloxy or ester; n is an integer and is at least one; Y is alkyl or H; the tetradentate ligand around the Al is optionally substituted. Also claimed is a process for the preparation of the enolate functionalised reaction intermediate and its reaction with a vinylic monomer and a Lewis acid to produce the corresponding vinylic polymer.