Highly linear 1-alkylbenzenes can be obtained in mild conditions and with good selectivity, through the homogeneous catalysis of olefin polyinsertion from cheap and largely available reagents. The comparison among some ansa metallocenes shows that the coordinative framework of the catalytic metal, by regulating the regiochemistry of the styrene insertion, determines upon the selectivity of the reaction. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.