{Reference Type}: Journal Article {Title}: Ortho-Functionalized Dibenzhydryl Substituents in α-Diimine Pd Catalyzed Ethylene Polymerization and Copolymerization. {Author}: Muhammad Q;Pang W;Wang F;Tan C; {Journal}: Polymers (Basel) {Volume}: 12 {Issue}: 11 {Year}: Oct 2020 28 {Factor}: 4.967 {DOI}: 10.3390/polym12112509 {Abstract}: Sterically bulky diarylmethyl-based ligands have received increasing attention in the field of late-transition-metal catalyzed olefin polymerization. Ortho-substituents may have a significant impact on the performance of diarylmethyl-based α-diimine Pd catalysts. In this contribution, a series of α-diimine Pd catalysts bearing ortho-methoxyl/hydroxyl functionalized dibenzhydryl units were prepared, characterized, and investigated in ethylene polymerization and copolymerization with methyl acrylate (MA). The catalytic performances were improved by introducing more ortho-substituents. The catalysts exhibited good thermal stabilities at high temperatures, producing branched polyethylenes. The catalysts bearing hydroxyl groups possessing intramolecular H-bonding, resulted in slightly higher incorporation ratios of MA unit when compared with the catalysts bearing methoxyl groups.