Abstract: Methods for the addition polymerization of cycloolefins using a cationic Group 10 metal complex and a weakly coordinating anion of the formula:

Abstract: Homopolymers or copolymers of acrylates, homopolymers or copolymers of norbornenes, and copolymers of acrylates with norbornenes, may be prepared by contacting acrylate and/or norbornene monomer reactant under polymerization conditions and in the presence of a solvent with a catalyst system consisting essentially of a Pd(II) dimer component having the formula: [(L)Pd(R)(X)]2, where L is a monodentate phosphorus or nitrogen ligand, X is an anionic group, and R is an alkyl or aryl group.

Abstract: Ethylene is trimerized to form 1-hexene, at a selectivity of up to about 99 mole percent, by contacting ethylene, at an ethylene pressure of from about 200-1500 psig and at a reaction temperature of from about 0° C. to about 100° C., with a catalyst comprising a tantalum compound (e.g., TaCl5) and a alkylating component comprising a metal hydrocarbyl compound or a metal hydrocarbyl halide compound (e.g., Sn(CH3)4).

Abstract: Ethylene and/or propylene are polymerized to form high molecular weight, linear polymers by contacting ethylene and/or propylene monomer, in the presence of an inert reaction medium, with a catalyst system which consists essentially of (1) an aluminum alkyl component, such as trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, triisobutylaluminum, tri-n-octylaluminum and diethylaluminum hydride and (2) a Lewis acid or Lewis acid derivative component, such as B(C6F5)3, {(CH3)2N(H)(C6H5)}+{B(C6F5)4}−, {(C2H5) 3NH}+{B(C6F5)4}−, {(C6F5)3C}+{B(C6F5)4}−, {(C6F5)3C}+{B(C6F5)3(Cl)−}, (C2H5) 2Al(OCH3), (C2H5)2Al(2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenoxide), (C2H5)Al(2,6-di-t-butylphenoxide)2, (C2H5)2Al(2,6-di-t-butylphenoxide), 2,6-di-t butylphenol.methyl-aluminoxane or an alkylaluminoxane, and which may be completely free any transition metal component(s).

Abstract: A process for preparing polymers of allylic amine compounds comprising: a) preparing a reaction mixture comprising: i) a polar reaction solvent; ii) at least one salt of an allylic amine compound; and iii) a free radical initiator comprising a water soluble non-ionic diazo compound represented by: wherein: R1, R2, R3 and R4 are the same or different lower alkyl groups; R5 and R6 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxyalkyl amide or hydroxyalkyl ester; and b) polymerizing the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Oily hyperbranched polymers derived from ethylene, propylene, butene and/or a C5-C24 &agr;-olefin, and a method for their synthesis, are disclosed. The polymers have non-regular microstructures and are characterized by a ratio ()of methyl hydrogens centered around 0.85 ppm on the 1H-NMR spectra of the polymers relative to total aliphatic hydrogens of from about 0.40 to about 0.65 for polymers derived from ethylene or butene, and a ratio ()of from greater than 0.50 to about 0.65 for polymers derived from propylene. A method for grafting hyperbranched polymers derived from ethylene, propylene, butene and/or a C5-C24 &agr;-olefin onto aromatic rings in organic molecules and polymers, and the resulting grafted materials, are also disclosed. The hyperbranched polymers and grafted materials are useful, for example, as lubricants and lubricant additives.

Abstract: Homopolymers or copolymers of acrylates, homopolymers or copolymers of norbornenes, and copolymers of acrylates with norbornenes, may be prepared by contacting acrylate and/or norbornene monomer reactant under polymerization conditions and in the presence of a solvent with a catalyst system consisting essentially of a Pd(II) dimer component having the formula: [(L)Pd(R)(X)]2, where L is a monodentate phosphorus or nitrogen ligand, X is an anionic group, and R is an alkyl or aryl group.

Abstract: Ethylene and/or propylene are polymerized to form high molecular weight, linear polymers by contacting ethylene and/or propylene monomer, in the presence of an inert reaction medium, with a catalyst system which consists essentially of (1) an aluminum alkyl component, such as trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, triisobutylaluminum, tri-n-octylaluminum and diethylaluminum hydride and (2) a Lewis acid or Lewis acid derivative component, such as B (C6F5)3, [(CH3)2N (H) (C6H5)]+[B (C6F5)4]−, [(C2H5)3NH]+[B C6F5)4],−, [C(C6F5)3]+[B(C6F5)4]−, (C2H5)2Al(OCH3), (C2H5)2Al(2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenoxide), (C2H5)Al(2,6 -di-t-butylphenoxide)2, (C2H5)2Al(2,6-di-t-butylphonoxide) , 2,6 -di-t-butylphenol·methylaluminoxane or an alkylaluminoxane, and which may be completely free any transition metal component(s).

Abstract: Ethylene and/or propylene are polymerized to form highly branched, liquid polymers by contacting ethylene and/or propylene monomer, in the presence of an inert reaction medium, with a catalyst system which comprises (1) an alkyl aluminum component, (2) an aluminum or gallium trihalide component, and, optionally, (3) a Group 4 metallocene dihalide component.

Abstract: The novel synthetic polyethylene fluids of the present invention are characterized by high viscosity indices (about 94-151 VI), low pour points (about -60 to -10.degree. C.), and a kinematic viscosity of about 6 to 28 cSt KV at 100.degree. C. The product compositions comprise polymers having a molecular weight of from about 300 to 30,000 and a high branching index of 151 to 586 branches per 1000 CH.sub.2 groups, or BI=0.18-0.40, wherein the polymer is substantially free of methyl branches. Highly-branched polyethylene fluids that have less than 5 methyl branches per 1000 CH.sub.2 groups are prepared by polymerizing ethylene in the presence of a catalyst system consisting of [C] and [B], wherein [C] is a catalyst having the empirical formula MX.sub.4 and [B] is a co-catalyst having the empirical formula R.sub.n AlX.sub.3-n, where M is a Group IVB transition metal, X is a halogen anion, R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.

Abstract: A process for converting alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, such as p-xylene or 2,6-dimethyl naphthalene to their corresponding dicarboxylic acids is disclosed, said process comprising contacting the alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon with a gaseous mixture containing oxygen, NOx, where x is 1 or 2, and an inert gas, and heating the resulting mixture at a temperature from 90 .degree. C. to 250 .degree. C. and at a pressure of from 300 psi to 2500 psi for a period of time sufficient to convert the alkyl substitutents on the aromatic hydrocarbons to carboxyl groups.

Abstract: Homopolymers or copolymers of acrylates, homopolymers or copolymers of norbornenes, and copolymers of acrylates with norbornenes, may be prepared by contacting acrylate and/or norbornene monomer reactant under polymerization conditions and in the presence of a solvent with a catalyst system consisting essentially of a Pd(II) dimer component having the formula:[(L)Pd(R)(X)].sub.2,where L is a monodentate phosphorus or nitrogen ligand, X is an anionic group, and R is an alkyl or aryl group.

Abstract: The novel synthetic polyethylene fluids of the present invention are characterized by high viscosity indices (about 94-151 VI), low pour points (about -60 to -10.degree. C.), and a kinematic viscosity of about 6 to 28 cSt KV at 100.degree. C. The product compositions comprise polymers having a molecular weight of from about 300 to about 30,000 and a branching index of 151 to 586 branches per 1000 CH.sub.2 groups, or BI=0.18-0.40. A process for preparing such novel synthetic polyethylene fluids comprises polymerizing ethylene in the presence of a catalyst system, said catalyst system comprising [A] and [B], wherein [A] is a catalyst having the formula MX.sub.5 and [B] is a co-catalyst having the formula R.sub.n AlX.sub.3-n where M is a Group VB, VIB, or VIII transition metal; X is a halogen anion; R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl group; and n is 1-2.

Abstract: The synthesis of an aramid by the catalyzed reaction of carbon monoxide, an aromatic dichloride, such as 1,4-dichlorobenzene, and a diamine, such as 1,4-diaminobenzene, is disclosed. The reaction may be catalyzed by palladium (II) and palladium (0)-containing catalysts with chelating trialkyl phosphines, such as bis(diisopropylphosphino)-propane.

Abstract: The compound, [Pd(Me-DUPHOS)(MeCN).sub.2 ](BF.sub.4).sub.2, [Me-DUPHOS: 1,2-bis(2,5-dimethylphospholano)benzene] is an effective catalyst for the highly enantioselective, alternating copolymerization of olefins, such as aliphatic .alpha.-olefins, with carbon monoxide to form optically active, isotactic polymers which can serve as excellent starting materials for the synthesis of other classes of chiral polymers. For example, the complete reduction of a propylene-carbon monoxide copolymer resulted in the formation of a novel, optically active poly(1,4-alcohol).

Abstract: A process for direct oxidative carbonylation of lower alkanes to acids having one greater carbon atom. The process uses a metal salt catalyst promoted by halide ions and/or a metal with oxygen as the oxidant in an aqueous medium. The process is especially effective for conversion of methane to acetic acid.

Abstract: A process for catalytic direct oxidation of hydrocarbons, particularly lower alkanes and single ring aromatics, to acids by dioxygen under mild temperature conditions using specified metal or metal salt catalysts. Turnovers in excess of 1000 for acetic acid formation from ethane and in excess of 100 for formic acid formation from methane have been obtained at reaction temperatures below about 100.degree. C. using palladium catalyst. A coreductant of carbon monoxide in an aqueous system is preferred.