Abstract: A single-site olefin polymerization catalyst and method of making it are disclosed. The catalyst comprises an activator and an organometallic complex. The complex comprises a Group 3 to 10 transition or lanthanide metal, M, and at least one indenoindolyl ligand that is &pgr;-bonded to M. The key ligand is made in two steps from readily available indanones and aryl hydrazines. Reaction of its anion with a source of the metal completes a remarkably simple synthetic route to a new family of single-site olefin polymerization catalysts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst having the general formula where L is a ligand having the formula L′ is L, Cp, Cp*, indenyl, fluorenyl, NR2, OR, or halogen, L can be bridged to L; X is halogen, NR2, OR, or alkyl from C1 to C12, M is zirconium or hafnium, R is alkyl from C1 to C12 or aryl from C6 to C12, R1 is R, alkaryl from C6 to C12, aralkyl from C6 to C12, hydrogen, or Si(R)3, R2 is R1, halogen, COR, COOR, SOR, or SOOR, R3 is R2, OR, N(R)2, SR, or a fused ring system, Cp is cyclopentadienyl, Cp* is pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, n is 0 to 3, and LB is an optional Lewis base. Also disclosed is a method of making a poly-&agr;-olefin comprising polymerizing an &agr;-olefin monomer using a catalyst such as that described above where M can be titanium, zirconium, or hafnium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process of preparing a novel supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst useful for the polymerization of &agr;-olefins. More specifically, the supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst of the present invention comprises a particulate functionalized copolymeric support, at least one organometallic compound or complex and at least one transition metal compound. A novel method of preparing the particulate functionalized copolymeric support of the instant invention is also provided.