Late transition metal catalysts for the co- and terpolymerization of olefin and alkyne monomers with carbon monoxide

A polymerization catalyst for the co- and terpolymerization of ethylene, other olefins and alkynes with carbon monoxide, said catalyst comprising an active cationic portion of the formula ##STR16## wherein M is palladium or nickel;

• L.sup.1 and L.sup.2 are two-electron donor ligands or are joined to form a bidentate four-electron donor ligand;
• R is alkyl, aryl or acyl, and
• L.sup.3 is CO or a ligand capable of being displaced by CO which is selected from the group consisting of H.sub.2 O, CH.sub.3 CN, CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 CN, CH.sub.3 OH, C.sub.6 H.sub.5 Cl, (CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2).sub.2 O, and CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 ;
• and
• a non-coordinating anionic portion of the formula ##STR17## wherein X is F, Cl, hydrocarbyl radical, halo substituted hydrocarbyl radical or combinations thereof, and n is from 1 to 5.

A polymerization catalyst for the co- and terpolymerization of ethylene, other olefins and alkynes with carbon monoxide, said catalyst comprising an active cationic portion of the formula ##STR18## wherein M is palladium or nickel;

• L.sup.1 and L.sup.2 are two-electron donor ligands or are joined to form a bidentate four-electron donor ligand;
• R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are methylene units;
• and
• R.sup.4 is alkyl or aryl;
• and
• a stabilizing, non-coordinating anionic portion of the formula ##STR19## wherein X is F, Cl, hydrocarbyl radical, halo substituted hydrocarbyl radical or combinations thereof, and n is from 1 to 5.