Tandem homogeneous metathesis/heterogeneous hydrogenation: Preparing model ethylene/CO₂ and ethylene/CO copolymers

Addition of silica gel to a completed homogeneous metathesis polymerization catalyzed by Cl₂(Cy₃P)₂RuCHPh (1) converts the residue of 1 to a highly effective heterogeneous olefin hydrogenation catalyst. Quantitative olefin hydrogenation of the unsaturated polymer under very mild conditions occurs in the presence of a variety of functional groups. This tandem homogeneous metathesis/heterogeneous hydrogenation procedure is used to prepare commercially relevant polyethylene-based materials, such as sequence ordered ethylene/CO₂ and ethylene/CO copolymers as well as telechelic polyethylene.