Catalyzed metal foil and uses thereof to produce electrical circuits

A method of forming an electrical circuit using a metal foil having a surface bearing a catalyst material, the method comprising:

• depositing a coating layer to the surface of the metal foil bearing the catalyst material, wherein the coating layer comprises an organic material the organic material is a copolymer comprising an alkaline-reactive polymer and an alkaline-non-reactive polymer;
• the surface of the metal foil is roughened;
• applying the surface of the metal foil bearing the catalyst material and the coating layer to a surface of a substrate;
• laminating the metal foil to the substrate;
• etching the metal foil, thereby exposing the catalyst material;
• and
• electroless metal plating a first conductor to the exposed catalyst material;
• wherein the metal foil is removable, and at least one of (i) the surface of the metal foil is roughened by etching, (ii) the copolymer has a functional group with a lone pair electron, (iii) the functional group comprises one of nitrogen or sulfur, (iv) the alkaline-reactive polymer comprises at least one of a polyimide, an amide, an ester, or a thioester, or (vi) the ratio of the alkaline-reactive polymer to the alkaline-non-reactive polymer is between 5%:95% and 95%:5% by molecular weight, respectively.