High crystallinity ethylene-vinylcyclohexane copolymers

A process for the copolymerization of ethylene and vinylcyclohexane wherein the process is carried out using a polymerization catalyst system comprising:

• a bridged hafnocene having the formula (I):
• and
• a catalyst activator;
• wherein:
• G is C, Si, Ge, Sn, or Pb;
• R1 is H, an unsubstituted C1-20 hydrocarbyl radical, a substituted C1-20 hydrocarbyl radical, a C1-20 alkoxy radical or a C6-10 aryl oxide radical;
• R2 and R3 are independently H, a C1-20 hydrocarbyl radical, a C1-20 alkoxy radical or a C6-10 aryl oxide radical;
• R4 and R5 are independently H, an unsubstituted C1-20 hydrocarbyl radical, a substituted C1-20 hydrocarbyl radical, a C1-20 alkoxy radical or a C6-10 aryl oxide radical;
• and
• Q is independently an activatable leaving group ligand;
• and
• the process produces an ethylene-vinylcyclohexane copolymer having a vinylcyclohexane content of from 0.25 to 5 mol %;
• a crystallinity (Xc) of >38%;
• a phase angle (δ) at a complex modulus (G*) of 10,000 Pa, of ≤75°;
• and an average melt strain hardening index (MSHI) of ≤1.7.