The advent of single-site, so called "metallocene" catalysts is revolutionizing the field of coordination polymerization of ethylene and alpha-olefins. Molecular design of the organometallic catalyst precursors has enabled unprecedented control of the various structural elements of the polymer (i.e. molecular weight, dispersity, incorporation of side chains, tacticity) that determine its physical properties. However, despite the commercial importance of chromium based polymerization catalysts, and in contrast to group 4 (Ti, Zr, Hf) chemistry, little is known about the relevant organometallic chemistry of chromium, and the development of novel organochromium catalysts is only beginning.
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