Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a catalyst, and in particular provides a method for preparing a catalyst suitable for the polymerisation of ethylene and/or propylene, said catalyst comprising a compound of yttrium, neodymium or scandium supported on a silica support, and wherein the method comprises: a) Treating a silica support by heating at a temperature of at least 550° C., b) Contacting the treated silica support with a complex of the following formula: DmMX1X2R wherein M is selected from Y, Sc and Nd, R is a hydrocarbyl group, X1 and X2 are anionic groups, D is a neutral donor group, and m is 0 or greater.

Abstract: Activating supports are prepared by (a) combining (i) fluorine-containing compounds having a reactive group and (ii) an organometallic compound, (b) contacting a porous mineral oxide support material with the mixture from step (a), (c) heating the functionalized support from step (b) under an inert gas and then under an atmosphere comprising oxygen, and (d) recovering the activating support. The fluorine-containing compounds may have the formula R(Fn)-X wherein R is hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl or substituted heterohydrocarbyl with up to 20 non-hydrogen atoms, n is 1-41, X is OH, SH or NR?2, R? is hydrogen or hydrocarbyl. The activating supports are useful in combination with transition metal catalysts for polymerization of olefins, e.g., with metallocene complexes. Preparation of the activating supports is easier and more economic than prior methods and provides for supported polymerization catalyst systems having excellent activities.

Abstract: Copolymers of ethylene and ?-olefins having (a) a density in the range 0.900-0.940 g/cm3, (b) a melt index MI2 (2.16 kg, 190° C.) in the range 0.01-50 g/10 min, (c) a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn, by conventional GPC) in the range 2.0-4.5, (d) a comonomer partition factor, Cpf>1, and (e) a melt index MI2 (2.16 kg, 190° C.) normalized Dow Rheology Index (DRI), [DRI/MI2] in the range 3-20. The copolymers may be prepared using catalyst systems containing activating supports. The copolymers are suitably prepared in the gas phase preferably in a single reactor. The copolymers exhibit unique properties in particular with respect to their rheology.

Abstract: Activating supports may be suitably prepared by the following procedure (a) providing a porous mineral oxide support material, (b) treating the support with a phosphorus-containing compound, (c) treating the support from step (b) with an organometallic compound, (d) heating the functionalized support from step (c) under an inert gas and then under an atmosphere comprising oxygen, (e) fluorinating the support with a fluorinating agent, and (f) recovering an activating support. The activating supports are suitable used in combination with single site catalysts for the polymerization of olefins. The supports are most preferably used in combination with metallocene complexes. The preparative route for the activating supports provides for supported polymerization catalyst systems having excellent activities.

Abstract: Novel copolymers of ethylene and ?-olefins are provided having (a) a density in the range 0.900-0.940 g/cm3, (b) a melt index MI2 (2.16 kg, 190° C.) in the range 0.01-50 g/10 min, (c) a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn, by conventional GPC) in the range 2.0-4.5, (d) a comonomer partition factor, Cpf>1, and (e) a melt index MI2 (2.16 kg, 190° C.) normalized Dow Rheology Index (DRI), [DRI/MI2] in the range 3-20. The novel copolymers may suitably be prepared by use of catalyst systems comprising activating supports. The copolymers are suitably prepared in the gas phase preferably in a single reactor. The copolymers exhibit unique properties in particular with respect to their rheology.

Abstract: Activating supports may be suitably prepared by the following procedure (a) providing a porous mineral oxide support material, (b) treating the support with a phosphorus-containing compound, (c) treating the support from step (b) with an organometallic compound, (d) heating the functionalized support from step (c) under an inert gas and then under an atmosphere comprising oxygen, (e) fluorinating the support with a fluorinating agent, and (f) recovering an activating support. The activating supports are suitable used in combination with single site catalysts for the polymerization of olefins. The supports are most preferably used in combination with metallocene complexes. The preparative route for the activating supports provides for supported polymerization catalyst systems having excellent activities.

Abstract: Activating supports may be suitably prepared by (a) combining (i) fluorine-containing compounds having a reactive group and (ii) an organometallic compound, (b) addition of a porous mineral oxide support material, (c) heating the functionalized support from step (b) under an inert gas and then under an atmosphere comprising oxygen, and (d) recovering the activating support. The preferred fluorine-containing compounds have the formula: R(Fn)-X wherein R is hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl or substituted heterohydrocarbyl with up to 20 non-hydrogen atoms, n is 1-41, X is OH, SH or NR?2, R? is hydrogen or hydrocarbyl. The activating supports are suitable used in combination with transition metal catalysts for the polymerization of olefins. The supports are most preferable used in combination with metallocene complexes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing an activating support for metallocene complexes in the polymerization of olefins comprising the steps of: I) providing a support consisting in particles formed from at least one porous mineral oxide; II) optionally fixing the rate of silanols on the surface of the support; III) functionalizing the support with a solution containing a metallic salt; IV) heating the functionalized support of step c) under an inert gas or hydrogen; V) oxidizing the support of step IV by treatment under N2O and then under oxygen; VI) retrieving an active support having a controlled number of OH groups. That activating support is used to activate a metallocene catalyst component for the polymerization of olefins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing an activating support for metallocene complexes in the polymerisation of olefins comprising the steps of: I) providing a support consisting in particles formed from at least one porous mineral oxide; II) optionally fixing the rate of silanols on the surface of the support; III) functionalising the support with a solution containing a metallic salt; IV) heating the functionalised support of step c) under an inert gas or hydrogen; V) oxidising the support of step IV by treatment under N2O and then under oxygen; VI) retrieving an active support having a controlled number of OH groups. That activating support is used to activate a metallocene catalyst component for the polymerisation of olefins.