Recent Advancements in Nickel-catalyzed Olefin Polymerization: Molecular Design, Mechanistic Insights, and Sustainable Polyolefin Materials

Muhammad Asadullah Khan; Obaid Iqbal; Zi-Hao Wang; Fu-Zhou Wang

doi:10.1007/s10118-026-3675-9

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Recent Advancements in Nickel-catalyzed Olefin Polymerization: Molecular Design, Mechanistic Insights, and Sustainable Polyolefin Materials

REVIEW | Updated：2026-07-27

- Recent Advancements in Nickel-catalyzed Olefin Polymerization: Molecular Design, Mechanistic Insights, and Sustainable Polyolefin Materials
- Chinese Journal of Polymer Science Vol. 44, Issue 8, Pages: 2453-2483(2026)
- Affiliations：
  
  a.Department of Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
  b.Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Author bio：
  
  chemistdrasad@gmail.com (M.A.K.)
  obaid@mail.ustc.edu.cn (O.I.)
  wangzh428@mail.ustc.edu.cn (Z.H.W.)
  wangfuzhou@ahu.edu.cn (F.Z.W.)
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1007/s10118-026-3675-9
  CLC：
- Received：07 February 2026，
  
  Accepted：18 March 2026，
  
  Online First：15 July 2026，
  
  Published：15 August 2026
- Accepted：
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Khan, M. A.; Iqbal, O.; Wang, Z. H.; Wang, F. Z. Recent Advancements in nickel-catalyzed olefin polymerization: molecular design, mechanistic insights, and sustainable polyolefin materials. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 2453–2483

Muhammad Asadullah Khan, Obaid Iqbal, Zi-Hao Wang, et al. Recent Advancements in Nickel-catalyzed Olefin Polymerization: Molecular Design, Mechanistic Insights, and Sustainable Polyolefin Materials[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(8): 2453-2483.
Khan, M. A.; Iqbal, O.; Wang, Z. H.; Wang, F. Z. Recent Advancements in nickel-catalyzed olefin polymerization: molecular design, mechanistic insights, and sustainable polyolefin materials. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 2453–2483 DOI： 10.1007/s10118-026-3675-9.

Muhammad Asadullah Khan, Obaid Iqbal, Zi-Hao Wang, et al. Recent Advancements in Nickel-catalyzed Olefin Polymerization: Molecular Design, Mechanistic Insights, and Sustainable Polyolefin Materials[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(8): 2453-2483. DOI： 10.1007/s10118-026-3675-9.

摘要

A versatile platform of late transition metal catalysts has been developed for the precision polymerization of ethylene. By leveraging tunable ligand designs and controlled chain-walking mechanisms

these catalytic systems enable the tailored synthesis of diverse polyethylene architectures

ranging from highly branched LDPE to linear HDPE and UHMWPE. Furthermore

the catalysts demonstrate exceptional regio- and stereo-specificity

facilitating the direct copolymerization of ethylene with polar monomers to produce advanced

functionalized polyolefins.

Abstract

Polyolefins

defined as polymers that are widely synthesized

are significant to modern civilization owing to their flexibility and affordability. Nevertheless

conventional polyolefins have limitations in terms of their sustainability and usefulness. Recent innovations in nickel-based catalysts have radically altered olefin polymerization

facilitating precise regulation of the polymer microstructure and integration of polar monomers. This review addresses the recent developments in

-diimine nickel catalysts

SHOP-type systems

and iminopyridyl-based complexes

focus

ing on the impact of steric and electronic ligand alterations on thermal robustness

catalytic activity

and molecular weight control. To clarify its function in adjusting the mechanical and thermal characteristics

the chain-walking mechanism

which is essential for creating branched architectures

was broken down. Breakthroughs

including supramolecular shielding and fluorine effects

in addition to dinuclear architectures

have led to ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylenes (UHMWPEs)

semicrystalline materials

and thermoplastic elastomers directly from ethylene. In addition

the resulting approaches for copolymerizing ethylene with polar monomers (acrylates

norbornene) or carbon monoxide have revealed routes to functionalized and photodegradable polyolefins. Despite these outcomes

challenges remain in accomplishing highly polar comonomer incorporation and commercial scalability. This review highlights nickel catalysts as an adaptable framework for sustainable polyolefin innovation

connecting academic research with applications in packaging

biomedicine

and recyclable materials.

关键词

Keywords

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