Water as an activator for palladium(II)-catalyzed olefin polymerization.

By a reasonable combination of the Wacker reaction and olefin polymerization processes, water proves to be an excellent activator for the palladium(II)-catalyzed polymerization of ethylene and it provides a safe, environmental-friendly and handy initiator for olefin polymerization. The activity of the olefin polymerization is comparable to reactions catalyzed by the corresponding alkylated cationic palladium complexes.