Abstract: A method of polymerizing olefins is disclosed. The method comprises contacting ethylene and at least one comonomer with a catalyst system to produce a polyolefin polymer that is multimodal. The catalyst system comprises a first catalyst that promotes polymerization of the ethylene into a low molecular weight (LMW) portion of the polyolefin polymer and a second catalyst that promotes polymerization of the ethylene into a high molecular weight (HMW) portion of the polyolefin polymer. The first catalyst and at least a portion of the second catalyst are co-supported to form a commonly-supported catalyst system and at least a portion of the second catalyst is added as a catalyst trim feed to the catalyst system.

Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same are described. A method includes selecting a catalyst blend using a blend polydispersity index (bPDI) map. The polydispersity map is generated by generating a number of polymers for at least two catalysts. Each polymer is generated at a different hydrogen to ethylene ratio. At least one catalyst generates a higher molecular weight polymer and another catalyst generates a lower molecular weight polymer. A molecular weight for each polymer is measured. The relationship between the molecular weight of the polymers generated by each of the catalysts and the ratio of hydrogen to ethylene is determined. A family of bPDI curves for polymers that would be made using a number of ratios of a blend of the at least two catalysts for each of a number of ratios of hydrogen to ethylene.

Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same. A method of polymerizing olefins to produce a polyolefin polymer with a multimodal composition distribution, includes contacting ethylene and a comonomer with a catalyst system. The catalyst system includes a first catalyst compound and a second catalyst compound that are co-supported to form a commonly supported catalyst system. The first catalyst compound includes a compound with the general formula (C5HaR1b)(C5HcR2d)HfX2. The second catalyst compound includes at least one of the following general formulas: In both catalyst systems, the R groups can be independently selected from any number of substituents, including, for example, H, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, or a heteroatom group, among others.

Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same. A method for making a catalyst support includes forming a mixture of a support material and a fluoride donor. The mixture is added to a fluidized bed reactor. The mixture is fluidized to form a fluidized bed while maintaining a flow rate of a fluidizing gas of about 0.1 ft./sec at less than about 370° C. and greater than about 0.35 ft./sec at temperatures greater than about 370° C. The mixture is calcined to decompose the fluoride donor, forming a fluorinated support.

Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same. A method for making a catalyst support includes forming a mixture of a support material and a fluoride donor. The mixture is added to a fluidized bed reactor. The mixture is fluidized to form a fluidized bed while maintaining a ratio of a pressure drop across a distributor plate to a pressure drop across the fluidized bed of greater than about 7%. The mixture is calcined to decompose the fluoride donor, forming a fluorinated support.

Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same. A method for making a catalyst support includes forming a mixture of a support material and a fluoride donor. The mixture is added to a fluidized bed reactor. The mixture is fluidized to form a fluidized bed with a height to diameter ratio of at least about 2.3. The mixture is calcined to decompose the fluoride donor, forming a fluorinated support.

Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same. A method of methylating a catalyst composition while substantially normalizing the entiomeric distribution is provided. The method includes slurrying the organometallic compound in dimethoxyethane (DME), and adding a solution of RMgBr in DME, wherein R is a methyl group or a benzyl group, and wherein the RMgBr is greater than about 2.3 equivalents relative to the organometallic compound. After the addition of the RMgBr, the slurry is mixed for at least about four hours. An alkylated organometallic is isolated, wherein the methylated species has a meso/rac ratio that is between about 0.9 and about 1.2.

Abstract: A method for protecting a phenol group on a precursor compound is provided. The method includes reacting the phenol group with dihydropyran in an acid catalyzed protection reaction and quenching the protection reaction with a strong base within less than about 60 seconds to form a protected precursor compound.

Abstract: A method of polymerizing olefins is disclosed. The method comprises contacting ethylene and at least one co-monomer with a catalyst system to produce a polyolefin polymer that is multimodal. The catalyst system comprises a first catalyst that promotes polymerization of the ethylene into a low molecular weight (LMW) portion of the polyolefin polymer and a second catalyst that promotes polymerization of the ethylene into a high molecular weight (HMW) portion of the polyolefin polymer. The first catalyst and at least a portion of the second catalyst are co-supported to form a commonly-supported catalyst system and at least a portion of the second catalyst is added as a catalyst trim feed to the catalyst system.

Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same are described. A method includes selecting a catalyst blend using a blend polydispersity index (bPDI) map. The polydispersity map is generated by generating a number of polymers for at least two catalysts. Each polymer is generated at a different hydrogen to ethylene ratio. At least one catalyst generates a higher molecular weight polymer and another catalyst generates a lower molecular weight polymer. A molecular weight for each polymer is measured. The relationship between the molecular weight of the polymers generated by each of the catalysts and the ratio of hydrogen to ethylene is determined. A family of bPDI curves for polymers that would be made using a number of ratios of a blend of the at least two catalysts for each of a number of ratios of hydrogen to ethylene.

Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same. A method of polymerizing olefins to produce a polyolefin polymer with a multimodal composition distribution, includes contacting ethylene and a comonomer with a catalyst system. The catalyst system includes a first catalyst compound and a second catalyst compound that are co-supported to form a commonly supported catalyst system. The first catalyst compound includes a compound with the general formula (C5HaR1b)C5HcR2d)HfX2. The second catalyst compound includes at least one of general formulas (A) or (B). In both catalyst systems, the R groups can be independently selected from any number of substituents, including, for example, H, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, or a heteroatom group, among others.

Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same. A method of polymerizing olefins to produce a polyolefin polymer with a multimodal composition distribution, includes contacting ethylene and a comonomer with a catalyst system. The catalyst system includes a first catalyst compound and a second catalyst compound that are co-supported to form a commonly supported catalyst system. The first catalyst compound includes a compound with the general formula (C5HaR1b)(C5HcR2d)HfX2. The second catalyst compound includes at least one of the following general formulas: In both catalyst systems, the R groups can be independently selected from any number of substituents, including, for example, H, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, or a heteroatom group, among others.

Abstract: A system and method of producing polyethylene, including: polymerizing ethylene in presence of a catalyst system in a reactor to form polyethylene, wherein the catalyst system includes a first catalyst and a second catalyst; and adjusting reactor conditions and an amount of the second catalyst fed to the reactor to control melt index (MI), density, and melt flow ratio (MFR) of the polyethylene.

Abstract: A method for protecting a phenol group on a precursor compound is provided. The method includes reacting the phenol group with dihydropyran in an acid catalyzed protection reaction and quenching the protection reaction with a strong base within less than about 60 seconds to form a protected precursor compound.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of preparing a catalyst system comprising a spray-dried activator and polymerization processes employing these catalyst systems.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of preparing a catalyst system comprising a spray-dried activator and polymerization processes employing these catalyst systems.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing an alkyl cyclopentadiene compound is disclosed. The method includes contacting at least one cyclopentadienyl anion source and at least one alkyl group source to form at least one alkyl cyclopentadiene compound. The method further includes extracting the alkyl cyclopentadiene compound with a hydrocarbon solvent. The alkyl cyclopentadiene compound may be converted to a metallocene catalyst compound.

Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same. The catalyst system can include a single site catalyst compound, a support comprising fluorinated alumina, and an aluminoxane. The aluminoxane can be present in an amount of about 10 mmol or less per gram of the support.

Abstract: A polymerization catalyst system and polymerization processes using the catalyst systems are disclosed. The polymerization catalyst systems may include a) a first catalyst compound, and b) a second catalyst compound, wherein the first catalyst compound includes an oxadiazole-containing compound. In some embodiments, the oxadiazole-containing compound has essentially no hydrogen response, thus allowing better and/or tailored control of product properties when producing polymers using the catalyst system.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing an alkyl cyclopentadiene compound is disclosed. The method includes contacting at least one cyclopentadienyl anion source and at least one alkyl group source to form at least one alkyl cyclopentadiene compound. The method further includes extracting the alkyl cyclopentadiene compound with a hydrocarbon solvent. The alkyl cyclopentadiene compound may be converted to a metallocene catalyst compound.