Abstract: Disclosed is a method of polymerizing olefin using a compatible combination of a multi-site catalyst and a single-site catalyst. The catalysts may be a Ziegler-Natta catalyst and a metallocene catalyst. The resulting polymer, which may be a homopolymer or a random copolymer, may exhibit a molecular weight distribution which is intermediate than that resulting for polymers prepared using either catalyst alone.

Abstract: Supported stereospecific catalysts and processes for the stereotactic propagation of a polymer chain derived from ethylenically unsaturated monomers such as the polymerization of propylene to produce syndiotactic polypropylene or isotactic polypropylene. The supported catalyst comprises a stereospecific metallocene catalyst component and a co-catalyst component comprising an alkylalumoxane. Both the metallocene catalyst component and the co-catalyst component are supported on a particulate polyamide support comprising spheroidical particles of a polyamide having an average diameter with the range of 5-60 microns, and a porosity permitting distribution of a portion of the co-catalyst within the pore volume of the polyamide particles while retaining a substantial portion on the surface of the particles. The polyamide support is characterized by relatively low surface area, specifically a surface area less than 20 square meters per gram.

Abstract: A process for preparing low melting copolymers comprising contacting a mixture of olefin monomers with a CpFlu-type metallocene catalyst under reaction conditions sufficient to form a copolymer. The copolymers thus prepared desirably display melt temperatures from about 100° C. to about 140° C. and may be produced with reduced amounts of ethylene. The copolymers may also exhibit reduced levels of undesirable xylene solubles, relatively narrow molecular weight distribution, and other improved optical and physical properties.

Abstract: Supported stereospecific catalysts and processes for the stereotactic propagation of a polymer chain derived from ethylenically unsaturated monomers such as the polymerization of propylene to produce syndiotactic polypropylene or isotactic polypropylene. The supported catalyst comprises a stereospecific metallocene catalyst component and a co-catalyst component comprising an alkylalumoxane. Both the metallocene catalyst component and the co-catalyst component are supported on a particulate polyorganosilsesquioxane support comprising spheroidal particles of a polyorganosilsesquioxane having an average. diameter with the range of 0.3–20 microns. The polyorganosilsesquioxane support is characterized by relatively low surface area, specifically a surface area less than 100 square meters per gram. The metallocene component can take the form of a single metallocene or two or more metallocenes which are co-supported on the polyorganosilsesquioxane support.

Abstract: Supported stereospecific catalysts and processes for the stereotactic propagation of a polymer chain derived from ethylenically unsaturated monomers such as the polymerization of propylene to produce syndiotactic polypropylene or isotactic polypropylene. The supported catalyst comprises a stereospecific metallocene catalyst component and a co-catalyst component comprising an alkylalumoxane. Both the metallocene catalyst component and the co-catalyst component are supported on a particulate polyamide support comprising spheroidical particles of a polyamide having an average diameter with the range of 5-60 microns, and a porosity permitting distribution of a portion of the co-catalyst within the pore volume of the polyamide particles while retaining a substantial portion on the surface of the particles. The polyamide support is characterized by relatively low surface area, specifically a surface area less than 20 square meters per gram.

Abstract: Process of preparing silica-supported catalysts. A support material comprising silica particles impregnated with an alumoxane co-catalyst with at least one-half of the co-catalyst disposed within the internal pore volume of the silica is contacted with a dispersion of a metallocene catalyst in an aromatic solvent. The dispersion and support are mixed at a temperature of about 10° C. or less to enable the metallocene to become reactively supported on and impregnated within the alumoxane-impregnated silica particles. The supported catalyst is recovered from the aromatic solvent and washed with an aromatic hydrocarbon and then a paraffinic hydrocarbon at a temperature of about 10° C. or less. The washed catalyst is dispersed in a viscous mineral oil.

Abstract: Process of preparing silica-supported catalysts. A support material comprising silica particles impregnated with an alumoxane co-catalyst with at least one-half of the co-catalyst disposed within the internal pore volume of the silica is contacted with a dispersion of a metallocene catalyst in an aromatic solvent. The dispersion and support are mixed at a temperature of about 10° C. or less to enable the metallocene to become reactively supported on and impregnated within the alumoxane-impregnated silica particles. The supported catalyst is recovered from the aromatic solvent and washed with an aromatic hydrocarbon and then a paraffinic hydrocarbon at a temperature of about 10° C. or less. The washed catalyst is dispersed in a viscous mineral oil.

Abstract: A method of polymerizing olefins with a catalyst component which comprises 1) the reaction product of a magnesium alkoxide of the formula M(OR)2, wherein M is magnesium, O is oxygen, R is a hydrocarbyl having from 1 to 20 carbons atoms, and a halogenating agent; 2) an electron donor wherein the electron donor is diethyl phthalate or di-isobutyl phthalate; 3) a titanating agent. The catalyst component is activated with an organoaluminum cocatalyst. An external donor, specifically dicyclopentyl dimethoxysilane or cyclohexylmethyldimethoxy silane, can be added as a stereoselectivity control agent. The activated catalyst is used in the polymerization of olefins, particularly propylene, to obtain a polymer product with a broad molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: Provided is a process of polymerization wherein the catalyst comprises: A) a catalyst component consisting essentially of titanium, magnesium, halogen, a polycarboxylic ester, and an organic phosphorus compound; B) electron donor described by the formula:  wherein R1 is alkyl or cycloakylgroup containing at least one secondary or tertiary carbon atom, R2 and R3 are each independently alkyl or aryl group, and R4 is an alkyl group having a primary carbon bonded to the silicon atom; and C) organic aluminum compound.

Abstract: This invention is for a process for the polymerization of propylene to a minimum level of xylene solubles by use of the molar ratio of co-catalyst to external electron donor (selectivity control agent). Using a conventional supported heterogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalyst component with an trialkyl aluminum co-catalyst and an cycloalkylalkyldialkoxysilane external electron nor (selectivity control agent) in a Al/Si molar ratio of about results in the minimum amount of xylene solubles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst for the polymerization of olefin that exhibits improved selectivity and broader molecular weight distribution in the polymer product. The catalyst is a conventional supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst in combination with a mixture of at least two electron donors, both having the general formula SiR.sub.m (OR').sub.4-m where R is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group and a vinyl group; R' is an alkyl group; and m is 0-3, wherein when R is an alkyl group, R may be identical with R'; when m is 0, 1 or 2, the R' groups may be identical or different; and when m is 1, 2 or 3, the R groups may be identical or different. This catalyst produces polypropylene having xylene solubles of 1-7 to 5.1 wt % and a molecular weight distribution of about 10.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst system and a process for the polymerization of olefin that exhibits improved selectivity and broader molecular weight distribution in the polymer product. The catalyst system includes a conventional supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst in combination with a mixture of at least two electron donors, both having the general formula SiR.sub.m (OR').sub.4-m where R is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group and a vinyl group; R' is an alkyl group; and m is 0-3, wherein when R is an alkyl group, R may be identical with R'; when m is 0, 1 or 2, the R' groups may be identical or different; and when m is 1, 2 or 3, the R groups may be identical or different. Preferably, one electron donor is described by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.4 are both an alkyl or cycloalkyl group containing a secondary or tertiary carbon atom attached to the silicon atom, R.sub.1 and R.sub.4 being the same;; R.sub.2 and R.sub.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst system that exhibits unprecedented catalyst efficiencies and control of desired properties in the polymer product. The catalyst system includes a new generation titanium catalyst in combination with an electron donor described by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl group containing a primary carbon atom attached to the silicon atom; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are alkyl or aryl groups; and R.sub.4 is an alkyl group with a primary carbon atom attached to the silicon atom; R.sub.1 and R.sub.4 are the same or different. R.sub.1 and R.sub.4 are preferably chosen from the group consisting of n-propyl, n-butyl and methyl; most preferably n-propyl and n-butyl with R.sub.1 and R.sub.4 being the same or, alternatively, most preferably, R.sub.1 is methyl and R.sub.4 is C.sub.3 or higher. The system has a catalyst efficiency of over 30 kg/g-cat.multidot.h as the Si/Ti mole ratio varies from 4-20 in the system. The system easily achieves efficiencies over 30 kg/g-cat.

Abstract: A method of forming a polyolefin catalyst component which includes chlorinating magnesium ethoxide, and then treating the product first with an electron donor, particularly diethyl phthalate or di-isobutyl phthalate, at a relatively low donor level, and then second with a titanating agent, such as titanium tetrachloride, to produce a catalyst component. The catalyst component is activated with an aluminum alkyl cocatalyst. An external electron donor, such as an organosilane compound, is added for stereoselectivity control. The activated catalyst is used in the polymerization of olefins, particularly propylene, to obtain a polymer product with a broad molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making a catalyst in which a metallocene is included in the synthesis of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst and a process for using the catalyst in the polymerization of olefins, specifically, propylene, to produce a polymer product with broad polydisperisty.The catalyst may be synthesized by:1) selecting a solid component comprising a magnesium dialkoxide;2) adding a chlorinating agent;3) adding a titanating agent;4) adding a metallocene prior to step 2), after step 2), prior to step 3) or after step 3) and5) adding an aluminum alkyl cocatalyst.