Observation of intramolecular C-H⋯F-C contacts in non-metallocene polyolefin catalysts : Model for weak attractive interactions between polymer chain and noninnocent ligand

Attracting attention! The existence of attractive interactions between a functionalized ancillary ligand and a growing alkyl chain is a highly novel concept in olefin polymerization reactions (see scheme). Such interactions must be very weak so that the chain-propagation process is not perturbed, and "controversial" hydrogen bonds with strong dispersive character, such as CH⋯FC, are therefore ideal in this role (see scheme).