Step-growth acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization chemistry followed by exhaustive hydrogenation offers a new modeling approach for the study of polyethylene structures. ADMET controls branch identity and frequency, both of which are predetermined during the monomer synthesis, allowing sequence control in the resultant polymer. This review describes the synthesis and thermal behavior of ADMET polymers that serve as models for copolymers of ethylene with alpha-olefins such as 1-propene, isobutylene 1-butene, and 1-octene. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.