Poly(<i>n</i>‐alkyl methacrylate)s as Metallocene Catalyst Supports in Nonpolar Media

Abstract In this work, poly(alkylmethacrylates) based on poly( n ‐alkyl methacrylate)s (P n AMAs), that is, poly(hexyl methacrylate) (PHMA), poly(lauryl methacrylate) (PLMA), and poly(stearyl methacrylate) (PSMA), with similar molar masses ( M n ), are synthesized via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer technique using a high‐throughput approach. Analyses by dynamic light scattering (DLS) of P n AMAs in nonpolar solvents show the presence of nanoparticles distributions (unimers or single chains). Interactions of methylaluminoxane (MAO) and MAO/metallocene compounds with P n AMA nanoparticles, lead to self‐assembled micellar‐like structures useful as “nanoreactors” for coordination polymerizations of ethylene. The inverse micellar‐like structures of the three kinds of polymethacrylates, formed in the presence of MAO are confirmed by DLS experiments and by transmission electron microscopy using energy dispersive spectrometry analyzer, in dyed P n AMAs/MAO samples. The encapsulation of the metallocene catalyst into the PSMA/MAO nanoparticles reveals stable catalytic systems that have a clear effect on the morphology of the polyethylenes synthesized through this method.