A series of binary copolymerizations of ethylene with two comonomers, eugenol and 4-penten-1-ol, were conducted with a single-component palladium aryl phosphine sulfonate catalyst in toluene solution. Eugenol showed a much a higher tolerance by the catalyst than 4-penten-1-ol. Peak assignments for H-1 NMR and C-13 NMR spectra of both types of copolymers were established. Eugenol was incorporated into the copolymer at a higher rate compared to 4-penten-1-ol. Both comonomers were mainly inserted into the polymer chains rather than added as end groups. An end group analysis was performed, based on which some conclusions about the polymerization mechanisms were made. The molecular weight properties of the polymers were measured by GPC. The effects of each comonomer on the polymer crystallinity and melting temperature were determined. Antibacterial efficiency tests showed that copolymers containing more than 3.1 % eugenol resulted in a reduction of bacteria exceeding 90 %. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.