Abstract: Single-site catalysts useful for polymerizing olefins are disclosed. The organometallic catalysts incorporate a Group 3 to 10 transition, lanthanide or actinide metal and a caged diimide ligand. The diimide ligands are made by a tandem Diels-Alder and photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition sequence to give a multicyclic dione, followed by condensation with a primary amine. Because a wide variety of caged diimide ligands are easy to prepare from commercially available dienes and dienophiles, the invention enables the preparation of a new family of single-site catalysts. Based on their unique structure and geometry, the catalysts offer polyolefin producers new ways to improve activity, control comonomer incorporation, or regulate polyolefin tacticity.

Abstract: A two-step process for making reactive unsaturated polyester resins is disclosed. First, an aromatic dicarboxylic acid derivative reacts with 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (MPD) to produce an ester diol intermediate. The intermediate reacts with maleic anhydride and from about 15 to about 40 mole percent, based on the total glycol requirement, of propylene glycol. By shifting some glycol to the second step, and by using propylene glycol there, resin producers can easily make MPD-based UPR having a fumarate content greater than 85%. The resins give thermosets with improved physical properties, including excellent water resistance.

Abstract: A single-site catalyst system useful for polymerizing olefins is disclosed. The catalyst system comprises an optional activator and a complex that incorporates a Group 3 to 10 transition metal and at least one neutral or anionic chelating pyrimidine ligand. The ligands are easy to make, and they are readily incorporated into transition metal complexes, including those based on late transition metals. By modifying the chelating groups and other substituents on the pyrimidine ring, polyolefin makers can increase catalyst activity and control polymer properties.

Abstract: An amine-elimination process for making single-site catalysts is disclosed. First, an indenoindole or its synthetic equivalent reacts with a tetrakis(dialkylamino) Group 4 metal compound to give a tris(dialkyl-amino) compound. This versatile intermediate can be halogenated, alkylated, or reacted directly with cyclopentadienyl precursors to provide valuable indenoindolyl-Group 4 metal complexes. The process selectively provides mono-indenoindolyl complexes. In addition, it enables the economical preparation of desirable Cp- or Cp-like derivatives and allows the use of an inexpensive Group 4 transition metal source.

Abstract: Single-site catalysts useful for polymerizing olefins are disclosed. The organometallic catalysts incorporate a Group 3 to 10 transition, lanthanide or actinide metal and a caged diimide ligand. The diimide ligands are made by a tandem Diels-Alder and photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition sequence to give a multicyclic dione, followed by condensation with a primary amine. Because a wide variety of caged diimide ligands are easy to prepare from commercially available dienes and dienophiles, the invention enables the preparation of a new family of single-site catalysts. Based on their unique structure and geometry, the catalysts offer polyolefin producers new ways to improve activity, control comonomer incorporation, or regulate polyolefin tacticity.

Abstract: Catalyst systems useful for olefin polymerization are disclosed. The catalyst systems include an activator and an organometallic complex. The complex, which incorporates at least one Group 3-10 transition or lanthanide metal, is uniquely prepared from an indenoindolyl dianion or its synthetic equivalent. A diverse array of monomeric, dimeric, polymeric, or zwitterionic complexes are available from the dianion or its equivalent.

Abstract: An electrical conductive assembly including an electrical conductor and an annular laminate insulator surrounding the electrical conductor. The annular laminate insulator includes an inner ply of a first polymeric composition and an outer ply of a second polymeric composition wherein the outer ply second polymeric composition has a hardness in excess of the inner ply first polymeric composition and wherein the abrasion resistance of the laminate is in excess of the combined individual abrasion resistance of the inner ply and outer plies. The annular laminate is flame retardant and stabilized against thermal oxidation by the inclusion of a flame retardant and a thermal antioxidant. The polymers of the first and second polymeric compositions are thermosetting resins, crystalline thermoplastics having a melting point of at least about 130° C. or amorphous thermoplastics having a glass transition temperature of at least about 130° C.

Abstract: Neutral, multidentate azacyclic ligands and Group 3-10 transition metal complexes that contain them are disclosed. The ligands have the general formula: Ra—A—(L)b where R is hydrogen or hydrocarbyl, A is silicon, tin, germanium, or lead, each L is a pyrazolyl, triazolyl, or tetraazolyl group, a=0 to 2, b=2 to 4, and a+b=4. When used with common activators, the transition metal complexes provide excellent single-site catalysts for olefin polymerization.

Abstract: A process for making a supported, single-site catalyst is disclosed. The transition metal of the catalyst is tethered through a bridged, bidentate ligand that is covalently bound to the support. The catalyst is prepared in a two-step process that involves preparation of a supported ligand from an amine-functionalized support, followed by reaction of the supported ligand with a transition metal compound to give the “tethered”catalyst. An olefin polymerization process that uses the supported catalyst is also disclosed.

Abstract: Miscible blends of epoxy-extended polyetherester resins and commercial polymer resins are disclosed. Thermosets from the resin blends offer high-performance physical properties at a reduced cost compared with that of commercial high-performance resins. The thermosets have improved physical properties, including excellent water resistance, compared with many commercial systems. Resin blends of the invention are readily thickened, and are thus useful for SMC applications.

Abstract: Supported heterometallocene catalysts wherein the support is a particulate polymeric material are provided. The catalysts have a transition metal complex containing at least one anionic, polymerization stable heteroatomic ligand associated with the transition metal and a boron activator compound deposited on the support. Polymeric supports used for the heterometallocene catalysts of the invention are homopolymers of ethylene and copolymers of ethylene and C3-8 &agr;-olefins.

Abstract: Supported heterometallocene catalysts wherein the support is a particulate polymeric material are provided. The catalysts have a transition metal complex containing at least one anionic, polymerization stable heteroatomic ligand associated with the transition metal and a boron activator compound deposited on the support. Polymeric supports used for the heterometallocene catalysts of the invention are homopolymers of ethylene and copolymers of ethylene and C3-8 &agr;-olefins.

Abstract: An improved catalyst for polymerizing olefins is disclosed. The catalyst comprises a Group 4 transition metal, at least one quinolinoxy or pyridinoxy ligand, and at least one benzyl ligand. Particularly when used with an activator, the benzyl-containing catalysts have exceptional activities for polymerizing olefins.

Abstract: A process for making methoxyacetone is disclosed. The process comprises oxidizing 1-methoxy-2-propanol in the liquid phase using aqueous hydrogen peroxide and a Group 8-10 transition metal catalyst. The process gives high alcohol conversions (>95%) and good selectivities (>80%) to methoxyacetone using mild conditions, simple equipment, and readily available reagents.

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: 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 homoaromatic anionic ligand that is &pgr;-bonded to M. Molecular modeling results indicate that single-site catalysts based on homoaromatic anionic ligands (e.g., bicyclo[3.2.1]octa-2,6-dienyl) will rival the performance of catalysts based on cyclopentadienyl and substituted cyclopentadienyl ligands.

Abstract: A supported olefin polymerization catalyst system and a method of making it are disclosed. The catalyst system comprises: (a) a support chemically treated with an organoaluminum, organosilicon, organomagnesium, or organoboron compound; (b) a single-site catalyst that contains a polymerization-stable, heteroatomic ligand; and (c) an activator. Chemical treatment is a key to making supported heterometallocenes that have high activity and long shelf-lives, and can effectively incorporate comonomers.

Abstract: An olefin polymerization process is described. The process comprises polymerizing an olefin in the presence of a supported single-site catalyst, an optional activator, and a fatty amine. The fatty amine is added at a concentration in the range from about 10 to about 75 weight percent based on the weight of the supported catalyst. The fatty amine helps to reduce fouling and sheeting during the polymerization process and enhances catalyst activity.

Abstract: A two-step olefin polymerization process is disclosed. A single-site catalyst precursor reacts with a boron-containing activator and a first olefin substantially in the absence of an alumoxane to produce a stable, prepolymer complex, which is then used to polymerize a second olefin in the presence of a scavenging amount of an alumoxane. The process gives high molecular weight polyolefins with low residual aluminum contents. Boron-containing activators can be used, even at reaction temperatures greater than 100° C., while maintaining high catalyst activity.

Abstract: Neutral, multidentate azacyclic ligands and Group 3-10 transition metal complexes that contain them are disclosed. The ligands have the general formula: Ra—A—(L)b where R is hydrogen or hydrocarbyl, A is silicon, tin, germanium, or lead, each L is a pyrazolyl, triazolyl, or tetraazolyl group, a=0 to 2, b=2 to 4, and a+b=4. When used with common activators, the transition metal complexes provide excellent single-site catalysts for olefin polymerization.