A method is disclosed for screening potential catalysts for polymerization
performance. The method includes the steps of reacting a potential
catalyst with at least a first monomer under polymerization conditions,
determining the polymerization performance of the catalyst with the at
least first monomer, and using the determination as a predictor for the
polymerization performance of the catalyst for at least a second monomer,
wherein the first and second monomers are different from each other and
the first monomer is an olefin other than ethylene. The method provides a
useful, concrete and tangible result that has particular value for
identifying appropriate catalysts for olefin polymerization and
copolymerization.