Palladium Promoted Copolymerization of Carbon Monoxide with Polar or Non-polar Olefinic Monomers

The copolymers of carbon monoxide (CO) and olefins, namely polyketones, are a family of widely used materials. In the catalytic preparation of these materials, palladium(II) catalysts represent the most successful catalytic systems. The production of both alternating and non-alternating polyketones has been achieved, with a great difference in their physical properties. Herein, a variety of palladium(II) catalysts, employed for the copolymerization of CO with various olefinic monomers, such as ethylene, α -olefins, styrene and polar vinyl monomers, are fully summarized. The influence of important factors, such as solvents and counterions on specific copolymerization, is also discussed. This review aims to enlighten the design of new Pd catalysts with improved properties, as well as the development of new polyketone materials.