Abstract: Directly paintable polymer compositions contain (1) a thermoplastic olefin, (2) a propylene homopolymer or propylene copolymer with ethylene or a C4-8 &agr;-olefin, grafted with an anhydride of an aliphatic &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, (3) an oxidized polyethylene wax having a melting point of less than 116° C. and an acid number of less than 40, (4) a functionalized polymer that reacts with the anhydride groups of the grafted polymers, (5) an epichlorohydrin rubber and, optionally, (6) a polyolefin rubber grafted with an anhydride of an aliphatic &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, (7) an ethylene polymer grafted with an anhydride of an aliphatic &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, (8) a thermoplastic resin, and (9) an organic sulfonic acid salt of a group I or II metal, or mixtures thereof, the compositions are particularly suitable for electrostatic painting.

Abstract: Metallocene compounds having the general formula (I): R1 are hydrocarbon groups, R2 are hydrogen or hydrocarbon groups; M is a transition metal of group 3, 4, 5, 6 or to the lanthanide or actinide groups in the Periodic Table; M′ is a transition metal selected from those belonging to group 3 or to the lanthanide or actinide groups in the Periodic Table; X is a monoanionic ligand; p is an integer of from 0 to 3, being equal to the oxidation state of M minus two; q is an integer from 3 to 5; and n is an integer from 1 to 4, when the six-membered rings of formula (Ia) are not perhydrated, and is an integer of from 0 to 4, when the six-membered rings of formula (Ia) are perhydrated as well as in the compound of formula (Ib).

Abstract: Supported catalysts for the polymerization of olefins comprise the following components: (A) a porous organic support functionalised with groups having active hydrogen atoms; (B) an organo-metallic compound of aluminium containing heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur; and (C) a compound of a transition metal selected from those of groups IVb, Vb or VIb of the Periodic Table of the Elements, containing ligands of the cyclopentadienyl type. These supported catalysts, obtainable in the form of spherical particles, can be used in the polymerization reaction of olefins either in liquid or in gas phase, thus producing polymers endowed with a controlled morphology and with a high bulk density.

Abstract: The present invention relates to MgCl2.mROH.nH2O adducts, where R is a C1-C10 alkyl, 2≦m≦4.2, 0≦n≦0.7 , characterized by an X-ray diffraction spectrum in which, in the range of 2&thgr; diffraction angles between 5° and 15°, the three main diffraction lines are present at diffraction angles 2&thgr; of 8.8±0.2°, 9.4±0.2° and 9.8±0.2°, the most intense diffraction lines being the one at 2&thgr;=8.8±0.2°, the intensity of the other two diffraction lines being at least 0.2 times the intensity of the most intense diffraction line.

Abstract: Process for gas-phase polymerization carried out in two interconnected polymerization zones, to which one or more &agr;-olefins CH2═CHR are fed in the presence of catalyst under reaction conditions and from which the polymer product is discharged. The process is characterized in that the growing polymer flows through a first polymerization zone under fast fluidization conditions, leaves said first zone and enters a second polymerization zone through which it flows in a densified form under the action of gravity, leaves said second zone and is reintroduced into the first polymerization zone, thus establishing a circulation of polymer around the two polymerization zones. The novel process allows olefins to be polymerized in the gas phase with high productivity per unit volume of the reactor without incurring the problems of the fluidized-bed technologies of the known state of the art.

Abstract: The present invention relates to MgCl2.mROH.nH2O adducts, where R is a C1-C10 alkyl, 2≦m≦4.2, and 0≦n≦0.7, characterized by a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) profile in which no peaks are present at temperatures below 90° C. or, if peaks are present below said temperature, the fusion enthalpy associated with said peaks is less than 30% of the total fusion enthalpy. Catalyst components obtained from the adducts of the present invention are capable to give catalysts for the polymerization of olefins characterized by enhanced activity and stereospecificity with respect to the catalysts prepared from the adducts of the prior art.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of amorphous copolymers of ethylene with &agr;-olefins and optionally minor amounts of polyenes are disclosed, which have the following characteristics: (A) the % by mole content of &agr;-olefin in the copolymer (%&agr;) and the ratio between the molar amount of &agr;-olefin diads and the molar content of &agr;-olefin in the copolymer (&agr;&agr;/&agr;) satisfy the following relationship: (%&agr;)−250 (&agr;&agr;/&agr;)≧10 (B) less than 2% of the CH2 groups in the polymeric chain are in sequences (CH2)n, wherein n is an even number. These copolymers are obtained by operating in the presence of particular metallocene-based catalysts having two fluorenyl groups joined together through a bridging group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to components of catalysts for the polymerization of olefins comprising a metallocene compound and a magnesium halide which have particular values of porosity and surface area. Group 4 and vanadium metallocenes are useful metallocenes and the components typically include an electron donor such as an ether, ester or ketone. In particular the components of the invention have surface area (BET) greater than about 50 m2/g, porosity (BET) greater than about 0.15 cm3/g and porosity (Hg) greater than 0.3 cm3/g, with the proviso that when the surface area is less than about 150 m2g, the porosity (Hg) is less than about 1.5 cm3/g. The magnesium halide is complexed by an ether, ester, or ketone electro donor. The components of the invention are particularly suitable for the preparation of catalysts for the gas-phase polymerization of &agr;-olefins.

Abstract: It is disclosed a new catalyst system for the polymerization of olefins comprising the product obtainable by contacting the following components: (A) one or more compounds of a late transition metal belonging to Group 8-11 of the Periodic Table; and (B) the reaction product of water with one or more organometallic aluminum compounds of formula (IV): Al(CH2—CR3R4R5)xR6yHz, wherein R3 is a C1-C20 alkyl, C3-C20 cycloalkyl or C7-C20 alkylaryl radical; R4 is different from a straight alkyl and is a C3-C20 alkyl, C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkylaryl or C7-C20 arylalkyl radical; or R3 and R4 form together a C4-C6 ring; R5 is hydrogen or a C1-C20 alkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkylaryl or arylalkyl radical; R6 is a C1-C20 alkyl, C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkylaryl or C7-C20 arylalkyl radical; x is 1-3; z is 0-1; and y is 3−x−z; the molar ratio between said organometallic aluminum compound and water being comprised between 0.5:1 and 100:1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalyst components for the polymerization of olefins having Mg, Ti, halogen and at least two internal electron donor compounds, said catalyst components characterized by the fact that at least one of the electron donor compounds is selected from ethers containing two or more ether groups which are further characterized by the formation of complexes with anhydrous magnesium dichloride in an amount less than 60 mmoles per 100 g of MgCl2 and by the failure of entering into substitution reactions with TiCl4 or by reacting in that way for less than 50% by moles, and at least another electron donor compound selected from esters of mono or polycarboxylic acids. Said catalyst components are able to produce propylene polymers which, for high values of xylene insolubility, show a broad range of isotacticity.

Abstract: It is possible to prepare substantially amorphous polymers of propylene endowed with high molecular weights, operating at temperatures of industrial interest, by carrying out the polymerization reaction of propylene in the presence of metallocene catalysts comprising particular bis-indenyl or bis-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindenyl compounds substituted in the 2-position on the indenyl or tetrahydroindenyl groups.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing bis-cyclopentadienyl compounds bridged by a single carbon atom by reacting a carbonyl compound with a cyclopentadienyl compound in the presence of a base and of an oxygen-containing solvent having an atomic ratio carbon/oxygen not higher than 3. The compounds obtainable in high yields with this simple single-step process can be used to prepare ansa-metallocenes which are active as catalyst components in the polymerization of olefins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to spherical solid catalyst components for the polymerization of olefins, comprising a titanium compound, supported on a magnesium halide, containing more than one Ti-halogen link and optionally containing groups different from halogen in an amount lower than 0.5 mole per mole of Ti. Spherical solid compounds of the invention are characterized by having a surface area, measured by the BET method, of lower than 70 m2/g, a total porosity, measured by the mercurium method, higher than 0.5 cm3/g and a pore radius such that at least 50% have values higher than 800 Å.

Abstract: Polyolefinic compositions comprising: (A) 1-99% by weight of a propylene amorphous polymer, and (B) 1-99% by weight of a copolymer selected from (BI) a copolymer of propylene with ethylene and/or alpha-olefins C4-C10, and (BII) a composition comprising: (a) 10-50% by weight of an isotactic polypropylene with ethylene and/or alpha-olefins C4-C10; (b) 0-20% by weight of a copolymer containing ethylene, insoluble in xylene, and (c) 40-80% by weight of an elastomeric copolymer of ethylene with propylene and/or alpha-olefins C4-C10, optionally with small amounts of diene. These compositions are endowed with good mechanical and optical properties and are suitable for the manufacture of articles for biomedical applications.

Abstract: Metallocene compounds with two indenyl-type ligands linked in the 4 position by means of a divalent bridging group can be suitably used as components of catalysts for the polymerization of olefins. In particular, it is possible to prepare saturated or unsaturated elastomeric copolymers of ethylene characterized by valuable properties, such as low ash content and uniform distribution of the comonomers in the polymer chain.

Abstract: Metallocene compounds having two fluorenyl ligands bridged with a single silicon or germanium atom, said atom having two substituent groups containing a total of at least four carbon atoms, are useful as catalyst components for the polymerization of olefins. Particularly, it is possible to prepare high molecular weight atactic polypropylene with improved yields with respect to the known catalysts.

Abstract: Novel crystalline copolymers of propylene with minor proportions of ethylene and/or alpha-olefins, endowed with very good mechanical properties, a low melting point and a limited solubility in xylene at 25° C., and the process for preparing them by means of the polymerization of mixtures of propylene with ethylene and/or alpha-olefins of suitable composition, by using catalysts obtained from stereorigid and chiral compounds of zirconium, and methylalumoxanic compounds.

Abstract: Novel copolymers of ethylene with propylene and optionally with minor proportions of a diene or polyene having good elastomeric properties in their uncured state. The copolymers are characterized by a structure in which the propylene is partially present in the form of short isotactic sequences. Tension set values (200%) of less than 15 are obtained by when the ethylene/propylene ratio has specific values and the intrinsic viscosity values are higher than 3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of MgCl2.pROH.qH2O adducts, where R is a C1-C10 alkyl, 1≦p≦6, and 0≦q≦1, comprising the steps of (a) dispersing magnesium dichloride in an inert liquid, (b)adding the alcohol in vapour phase and maintaining the temperature at values allowing the adduct to be melted, (c)emulsifying the molten adduct in a liquid medium immiscible with and chemically inert to said adduct and, (d) contacting the adduct with an inert cooling liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid catalyst component for the polymerization of olefins CH2═CHR in which R is hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl radical with 1-12 carbon atoms, comprising a titanium compound, having at least a Ti-halogen bond and an electron donor compound supported on a Mg halide, in which said electron donor compound is selected from esters of malonic acids of formula (I): wherein R1 is a C5-C20 linear or branched alkyl, a C5-C20 cycloalkyl, a C7-C20 arylalkyl or alkylaryl group; R2 and R3, equal to or different from each other, are C1-C3 alkyl, cycloalkyl. Said catalyst components when used in the polymerization of olefins, and in particular of propylene, are capable to give high yields and polymers having high insolubility in xylene.