Copolymerization of olefin and polar monomer to produce functionalized polyolefin is a straightforwardpathway; however

challenges exist

which thus becomes a hot but difficult project in the area of olefin polymerizationover two decades. Late transition metal catalysts are of advantages on preparing functionalized polyolefin

and nickel and palladium catalysts including diimine

salicylaldiminato

and phosphine-sulfonato ligands haveemerged. In contrast

phosphine-phenolate nickel catalysts have attracted much less attention. However

in recentfive years

phosphine-phenolate nickel catalysts have been corroborated to be a greatly promising catalystsystem on fundamental and industrial studies. Herein

in this review key phosphine-phenolate nickel catalystsare summarized

and significant advances in phosphine-phenolate nickel catalyzed ethylene polymerization

copolymerizationof ethylene with polar monomers

and copolymerization of propylene with polar monomers arediscussed over the past five years. Advantages of phosphine-phenolate nickel catalysts are thus summarized.Moreover

perspectives on polar monomer

catalyst structure

stereoselective copolymerization of propylene andpolar monomer

mechanism of polymerization reaction

and comprehensive property of functionalized polyolefinare provided.