Abstract: A liquid polyalphaolefin homo- or copolymer, preferably 1-decene, which is substantially amorphous is obtained by a polymerization process employing hydrogen and a particular type of metallocene catalyst. Additionally, liquid polyalphaolefin homo- or copolymer containing from 2 to about 12 carbon atoms possess a unique combination of properties, i.e., low molecular weight (Mw), low polydispersity index (Mw/Mn controllable kinematic viscosity (Kv100), low Iodine Number (I2) and low glass transition temperature (Tg) and are substantially amorphous. The liquid polyalphaolefin homo- or copolymers provided herein are useful for manufacturing a variety of products including lubricating oils in which the polyalphaolefin functions as a viscosity modifier.

Abstract: A liquid phase polymerization process is provided for producing a polyolefin elastomer, e.g., one derived from ethylene, another &agr;-olefin such as propylene and optionally, a diene, employing a metallocene catalyst. The process comprises contacting monomer under liquid phase polymerization conditions with a catalyst composition obtained by combining (a) a metallocene procatalyst, preferably one containing a bridging group possessing at least two bulky groups, and (b) a cocatalyst such as aluminoxane, preferably a cation-generating cocatalyst, in partial or total replacement of aluminoxane.

Abstract: A metallocene catalyst is provided which comprises the product obtained by combining (a) a metallocene procatalyst, preferably one containing a bridging group possessing at least two bulky groups, and (b) a cation-generating cocatalyst. A process for activating a metallocene procatalyst is also provided which comprises combining the metallocene procatalyst with the components of a cation-generating cocatalyst.

Abstract: A cation-generating cocatalyst is provided for activating a metallocene procatalyst. The cocatalyst comprises (1) a metal- and/or metalloid-containing first component, e.g., an aluminum compound, (2) a neutral metal- and/or metalloid-containing second component, e.g., a borane compound, and (3) an anionic metal- and/or metalloid-containing third component, e.g., a metal containing borate.

Abstract: A liquid phase polymerization process is provided for producing a polyolefin elastomer, e.g., one derived from ethylene, another .alpha.-olefin such as propylene and, optionally, a diene, employing a metallocene catalyst. The process comprises contacting monomer under liquid phase polymerization conditions with a catalyst composition obtained by combining (a) a metallocene procatalyst, preferably one containing a bridging group possessing at least two bulky groups, and (b) a cocatalyst such as aluminoxane, preferably a cation-generating cocatalyst, in partial on total replacement of aluminoxane.

Abstract: A solution process, and a catalyst therefor, for the preparation of high molecular weight polymers of alpha-olefins viz. homopolymers of ethylene and copolymers of ethylene and C.sub.3 -C.sub.12 alpha-olefins, is disclosed. The process is operated under solution polymerization conditions at 105.degree.-320.degree. C. The catalyst is obtained from titanium tetrahalides, vanadium oxytrihalides and organoaluminum compounds, in which an admixture of catalyst components is heat-treated at 180.degree.-250.degree. C. and subsequently cooled to a temperature of less than 150.degree. C. Additional vanadium oxytrihalide is then added. The resultant catalyst solution is activated with an aluminum compound. The catalyst has good activity, showing superior activity to catalysts in which additional vanadium oxytrihalide is not added or added at temperatures above 150.degree. C.

Abstract: High molecular weight syndiotactic polystyrene having greater than 96% syndiotacticity can be produced in very high yield (greater than 92%) by polymerizing styrene monomer, under rigorously anhydrous conditions, with a catalyst comprising Cp*M(CH.sub.3).sub.3, where Cp* is a single .eta..sup.5 -cyclopentadienyl or an .eta..sup.5 -cyclopentadienyl group optionally covalently bonded to M through a substituent, and M is selected from Ti, Zr, Hf and a co-catalyst comprising B(C.sub.6 F.sub.5).sub.3 dissolved in an aromatic solvent such as toluene or styrene, at carefully controlled temperatures in the range -15.degree. C. to +50.degree. C. The rapid rate of polymerization and high yield make the production of hard, rigid products by reaction injection moulding possible.