Decreasing the alkyl branch frequency in precision polyethylene: pushing the limits toward longer run lengths.

A symmetrical α,ω-diene monomer with a 36 methylene run length was synthesized and polymerized, and the unsaturated polymer was hydrogenated to generate precision polyethylene possessing a butyl branch on every 75th carbon (74 methylenes between branch points). The precision polymer sharply melts at 104 °C and exhibits the typical orthorhombic unit cell structure with two characteristic wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) crystalline peaks observed at 21.5° and 24.0°, corresponding to reflection planes (110) and (200), respectively.