metallocene • d 0 metal complexes • butadiene • polymerization • speciation • ion pairing • reactivity • DFT ABSTRACT A computational mechanistic study of the butadiene homopolymerization reaction performed with scandium and gadolinium catalysts [(2-Me-Ind)2(N(TMS)2)]M (M = Sc, Gd) in presence of [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] or [PhNMe2H][B(C6F5)4] and Al2Et6 has been performed at the DFT level. The speciation of mono-and poly-metallic complexes involving alkylaluminum and the cationizing agent has been achieved. Their dormant or active character has been revealed. This speciation shows a thermodynamically favorable transmetalation reaction between the aryl group of [B(C6F5)4]and the alkyl group of AlR3. The reactivity of [(2-Me-Ind)(Et)M] + (M = Gd, Sc)toward monomer insertions is detailed. Computed energy profiles demonstrate the preference for cis-1,4 over trans-1,4 insertion. The influence of the counter-ion on the reactivity and selectivity of the catalyst has been investigated. For Gd-based system, the counter-ion has an impact on the reactivity and selectivity of the catalyst and cannot be omitted in the chemical model. Finally, the ability of these cationic complexes to copolymerize ethylene with butadiene is assessed and compared to neutral and efficient Nd based catalytic systems.