Abstract: Poly 4-methyl-1-pentene ( PMP ) is a high-performance semi-crystalline polyolefin material with low density, high permeability, high thermal stability, excellent dielectric properties, good chemical resistance, safety and non-toxicity. In this paper, the research progress of PMP polymerization catalysts, including Ziegler-Natta catalysts, metallocene catalysts, post-metallocene catalysts and post-transition metal catalysts, was systematically reviewed. The effects of different catalytic systems on the stereostructure, molecular weight and distribution of polymers were analyzed. At the same time, the isotactic configuration, helical chain conformation, polymorphic behavior of PMP and its structure-activity relationship with material properties were discussed in detail, and the structural roots of its low density, high transparency, excellent gas permeability and high temperature stability were highlighted. On this basis, the application status and development prospects of PMP in cutting-edge fields such as high-end medical devices ( such as ECMO membrane oxygenators ), electronics and 5G communications ( high-temperature film capacitors, microwave dielectric substrates ), high-performance packaging, gas separation membranes, energy-saving radiation refrigeration, and nuclear radiation protection are summarized. Finally, the challenges faced by the PMP industry chain and the future development direction are prospected.

Key words: poly(4-methyl-1-pentene), high performance polyolefins, catalyst, crystal structure, high-end medical equipment