| abstract |
The invention concerns a method of polymerizing an alkene monomer to produce a polymer using a catalyst that is Cu(O), Cu2Te, CuSe, Cu2S, Cu2O, or a combination thereof, an initiator, and a component comprising a solvent and optional nitrogen-containing ligand, where the combination of the component and monomer is capable of diproportionating Cu(I)X into Cu(O) and Cu(II)X2 where X is Cl, Br, or I. |