Abstract: Constrained geometry catalytic compounds are disclosed as well as catalytic compositions comprising the compounds supported on solid support materials. The compounds and compositions are useful as catalysts in the polymerisation and copolymerisation of alkanes.

Abstract: Catalytic compositions comprising permethylpentalene based metallocene complexes supported on solid methylaluminoxane are disclosed. The compositions are effective catalysts/initiators in the polymerisation of olefins. Also disclosed are uses of the compositions in olefin polymerisation.

Abstract: Unsymmetrical metallocene compounds based on cyclopentadienyl ligands are disclosed, as well as catalytic compositions comprising the compounds supported on solid support materials. The compounds and compositions are useful as catalysts in the polymerisation of olefins. In particular, the compounds and compositions are useful catalysts in the preparation of low molecular weight polyethylene (e.g. polyethylene wax) and copolymers formed from the polymerisation of ethylene and other ?-olefins.

Abstract: A catalyst system comprises an activated solid support material and having, on its surface, one or more catalytic transition metal complexes.

Abstract: Core @ layered double hydroxide shell materials of the invention have the formula: Tp@{[Mz+(1?x)M?xy+(OH)2]a+(Xn?)a/n·bH2O·c(AMO-solvent)}q wherein T is a solid, porous, inorganic oxide-containing framework material, Mz+ is a metal cation of charge z or a mixture of two or more metal cations each independently having the charge z; M?y+ is a metal cation of charge y or a mixture of two or more metal cations each independently having the charge y; z=1 or 2; y=3 or 4; 0<x<0.9; b is 0 to 10; c is 0.01 to 10; p>0; q>0; Xn? is an anion; with n>0; a=z(1?x)+xy?2; and AMO-solvent is an organic solvent which is completely miscible with water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new process for the synthesis of 2,3,4,5,6,7-substituted indenes, which are useful precursors for the formation of certain ansa-metallocene catalysts.

Abstract: A catalyst system is provided which comprises a solid support material having, on its surface, one or more catalytic transition metal complex wherein the solid support material comprises SiO2@AMO-LDH microspheres having the formula I: (i) wherein, Mz+ and M?y+ are two different charged metal cations; z=1 or 2; y=3 or 4; 0<x<0.9; b is 0 to 10; c is 0.01 to 10, preferably >0.01 and <10; p>0 q>0; Xn? is an anion with n>0, preferably 1?5a=z(1?x)+xy?2; and the AMO-solvent is an 100% aqueous miscible organic solvent. Preferably, M? in the formula I is Al. Preferably, M in the formula I is Li, Mg or Ca. The catalyst system has use in the polymerization and/or copolymerization of at least one olefin to produce a homopolymer and/or copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for modifying a layered double hydroxide (LDH), the process comprising, a. providing a water-wet layered double hydroxide of formula: [Mz+1-xM?y+x]a+(Xn?)a/r.bH2O ??(1) wherein M and M? are metal cations, z=1 or 2; y=3 or 4, x is 0.1 to 1, preferably x<1, more preferably x=0.1-0.9, b is greater than 0 to 10, X is an anion, r is 1 to 3, n is the charge on the anion X and a is determined by x, y and z, preferably a=z(1-x)+xy-2; b. maintaining the layered double hydroxide water-wet, and c. contacting the water-wet layered double hydroxide with at least one solvent, the solvent being miscible with water and preferably having a solvent polarity (P?) in the range 3.8 to 9, as well as to a layered double hydroxide prepared according to that process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for modifying a layered double hydroxide (LDH), the process comprising, a. providing a material comprising a layered double hydroxide of formula: [Mz+1-xM?y+x(OH)2]q+(Xn?)q/n.bH2O wherein M and M? are metal cations, z is 1 or 2, x is 0.1 to 1, b is 0 to 5, y is 3 or 4, X is an anion, n is 1 to 3 and q is determined by x, y and z, b. optionally washing the material at least once with a mixture of water and a mixing solvent miscible with water, and c. washing the material obtained in step a or b at least once with at least one first solvent, the first solvent being miscible with water and having a solvent polarity P?.

Abstract: Permethylpentalene based metallocene complexes are disclosed. The complexes are effective catalysts/initiators in the polymerisation of olefins. Also disclosed are compositions comprising the metallocene complexes, as well as uses of the complexes and compositions in olefin polymerisation.

Abstract: A use of ansa-metallocene complexes for the polymerisation of cyclic esters and cyclic amides is disclosed. The ansa-metallocene complexes are particularly active as initiators/catalysts in the polymerisation of lactides, with the resulting polymeric material demonstrating low polydispersity.

Abstract: A method of making silica-layered double hydroxide microspheres having the formula I: (i) wherein, Mz+ and M?y+ are two different charged metal cations; z=1 or 2; y=3 or 4; 0<x<0.9; b is 0 to 10; c is 0 to 10; P>0, q>0, Xn? is an anion; with n>0 a=z(1?x)+xy?2; and the AMO-solvent is an 100% aqueous miscible organic solvent; comprises the steps: (a) contacting silica microspheres and a metal ion containing solution containing metal ions Mz+ and M?y+ in the presence of a base and an anion solution; (b) collecting the product; and (c) optionally treating the product with AMO-solvent and recovering the solvent treated material to obtain the silica-layered double hydroxide microspheres. Preferably, M in the formula I is Li, Mg, Ni or Ca. Preferably, M? in formula I is Al. The invention further provides silica-layered double hydroxide microspheres having the formula I. The silica-layered double hydroxide microspheres may be used as catalysts and/or catalyst supports.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for modifying a layered double hydroxide (LDH), the process comprising, a. providing a water-wet layered double hydroxide of formula: [Mz+1-xM?y+x(OH)2]a+(Xn?)a/r.bH2O??(1) wherein M and M? are metal cations, z=1 or 2; y=3 or 4, x is 0.1 to 1, preferably x<1, more preferably x=0.1-0.9, b is 0 to 10, X is an anion, r is 1 to 3, n is the charge on the anion X and a is determined by x, y and z, preferably a=z(1?x)+xy?2; b. maintaining the layered double hydroxide water-wet, and c. contacting the water-wet layered double hydroxide with at least one solvent, the solvent being miscible with water and preferably having a solvent polarity (P?) in the range 3.8 to 9, as well as to a layered double hydroxide prepared according to that process.

Abstract: Layered double hydroxides having a high surface area (at least 125 m2/g) and the formula (I) [Mz+1?xM?y+x(OH)2]a+(Xn?)a/n+bH2O.c(AMO-solvent)??(I) wherein M and M? are different and each is a charged metal cation (and must be present), z=1 or 2; y=3 or 4, 0<x<0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound having the formula LaM(OR1)bR2cXd wherein M is a metal selected from Ti, Zr and Hf; L is a ligand selected from permethylpentalene, (hydro)permethyl-pentalene, (hydro)pentalene, cyclopentadiene, indene and ethylene- or silane-bridged indene, preferably (bis)indene; R1 is a 1-6C alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, or a substituted or unsubstituted phenylalkylene group; R2 is Me or Et; X is halogen; a=1 to 3, b=1 to 3, c=0 or 1 and d=0, 1, 2 or 3; and dimers thereof, the use of the compound as an initiator in the polymerization of lactide monomer and a process for producing a polylactide performed by contacting a lactide monomer with the compound.

Abstract: A process for preparing particles of a layered double hydroxide of the general formula [Mpz+M?qy+(OH)2]a+(Xn?)a/n.bH2O??(I) wherein Mz+ and M?y+ are metal cations or mixtures of metal cations, z=1 or 2; y=3 or 4; p+q=1; b=0 to 10, Xn? is an anion, n is 1 to 5 and a is determined by p, q, y and z such that a=zp+yq?2, comprises (a) mixing, in aqueous solution, Mz+ cations, M?y+ cations and Xn? anions, with a base; and (b) allowing the layered double hydroxide of formula (I) to precipitate from the solution mixed in step (a). Preferably, M is Li, Mg, Zn, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Ca, or a mixture of two or more. Preferably, y is 3, and M? is Al, Ga, In, Fe or a mixture of two or more thereof. Also provided are particles obtainable by the process, especially wherein M is Ca, M? is Al, and Xn? is NO3?. Particles of a layered double hydroxide wherein the particles have a particle size of not greater than 2000 nm, preferably not greater than 300 nm and especially not greater than 100 nm, are also provided.

Abstract: Novel Si-bridged metallocene catalysts of formula I defined herein are disclosed, as well as their use in olefin polymerisation reactions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the oligomerisation of ethylene which comprises contacting ethylene with a transition metal-permethylpentalene complex, and a transition metal compound utilized therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a synergistic dual olefin copolymerization catalyst system comprising a solid support material having, on its surface, two or more catalytic metal complexes wherein the two or more catalytic metal complexes comprise at least one first transition metal complex and a second transition metal complex different from the first transition metal complex; use of such a system as a catalyst; a process for producing a polymer of an olefin utilizing the catalyst system.

Abstract: A catalyst system is provided which comprises a solid support material having, on its surface, one or more catalytic transition metal complex wherein the solid support material comprises SiO2@AMO-LDH microspheres having the formula I: (i) wherein, Mz+ and M?y+ are two different charged metal cations; z=1 or 2; y=3 or 4; 0<x<0.9; b is 0 to 10; c is 0.01 to 10, preferably >0.01 and <10; p>0 q>0; Xn? is an anion with n>0, preferably 1?5a=z(1?x)+xy?2; and the AMO-solvent is an 100% aqueous miscible organic solvent. Preferably, M? in the formula I is Al. Preferably, M in the formula I is Li, Mg or Ca. The catalyst system has use in the polymerisation and/or copolymerisation of at least one olefm to produce a homopolymer and/or copolymer.