Abstract: Supported catalyst systems are provided comprising (a) a transition metal compound, (b) an activator comprising (iii) an aluminoxane or (iv) a Group lilA metal or metalloid compound, and (c) a support material comprising an inorganic metal oxide, inorganic metal halide or polymeric material or mixtures thereof characterised in that the support material has been pretreated with a source of a transition metal atom. The preferred transition metal compounds are metallocenes and the source of the transition metal atom is typically a ferrous or cupric metal salt. The supported catalyst systems show improved activity and also may reduce fouling in gas phase fluidised bed processes.

Abstract: A polymerisation catalyst comprising (1) a transition metal compound of Formula (A), and optionally (2) an activator, wherein Z is 5-membered heterocyclic containing carbon, nitrogen and at least one other selected from nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen, the remaining atoms in the ring being nitrogen and carbon; M is a metal from Group 3 to 11 or a lanthanide metal; E1 and E2 are divalent hydrocarbon, heterocyclic or heterosubstituted derivatives of these; D1 and D2 are donor atoms or groups; X is an anionic group, L is a neutral donor group; n=m=zero or 1; y and z are zero or integers so that X and L satisfy the valency/oxidation state of M, characterized in that the complex contains at least one polymerisable olefinic double bond which is present in, or substituent to, at least one of the atoms, groups or ligands represented by Z, E, D and L. The catalyst binds to the forming polymer providing product with good particle morphology.

Abstract: Supported catalyst systems for the polymerisation of olefins, comprise (a) at least two different monocyclopentadienyl transition metal compounds, (b) one or more activators comprising an ionic compound comprising (i) a cation and (ii) an anion having up to 100 non-hydrogen atoms and the anion containing at least one substituent comprising a moiety having an active hydrogen, and (c) one or more support materials. The, supported “mixed or dual site” catalyst systems comprising different monocyclopentadienyl catalysts when activated by specific ionic activators lead to catalyst systems showing an improved balance of properties which may be used to prepare LLDPE polymers having broad melt flow ratios.

Abstract: A transition metal complex having the following Formula (A): wherein the monovalent groups R1 and R2 are —Ra, —ORb, —NRcRd, and —NHRe: the monovalent groups Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd and Re, and the divalent group R3 are (i) aliphatic hydrocarbon, (ii) alicyclic hydrocarbon, (iii) aromatic hydrocarbon, (iv) alkyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon (v) heterocyclic groups and (vi) heterosubstituted derivatives of said groups (i) to (v); M is a Group (3) to (11) or lanthanide metal; E is phosphorus or arsenic; X is an anionic group, L is a neutral donor group; n is (1) or (2), y and z are independently zero or integers, such that the number of X and L groups satisfy the valency and oxidation state of the metal M. n is preferably (2) and the two resulting R1 groups are preferably linked.

Abstract: A supported catalyst for olefin polymerization comprises a selected ionic activator, a selected organometallic catalyst and a support material. The selected activator must contain an active hydrogen moeity. The organometallic catalyst is characterized by having a phosphinimine ligand and a substituted cyclopentadienyl ligand (which contains from 7 to 30 carbon atoms). The supported catalyst exhibits excellent activity in gas phase olefin polymerizations and may be used under substantially “non-fouling” polymerization conditions.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a supported transition metal catalyst system which includes the steps of: (i) mixing together in a suitable solvent (a) an aluminoxane and (b) an ionic activator containing a cation and an anion, wherein the anion has at least one substituent containing a moiety having an active hydrogen, (ii) addition of the mixture from step (i) to a support material, and (iii) addition of a transition metal compound in a suitable solvent. The use of tetraisobutylaluminoxane as the aluminoxane results in a more stable activity profile and improved polymer properties in particular melt strength.

Abstract: The use of high activity “Single Site” polymerization catalysts often causes the fouling of polymerization reactors. The problem is particularly acute with gas phase polymerizations. While not wishing to be bound by theory it is believed that the fouling is initiated by the buildup of static charges in the reactor. The use of anti-static agents mitigates this problem, but typical antistatic agents contain polar species, which can deactivate the polymerization catalyst. We have now discovered that the use of a porous metal oxide support allows large levels of a selected antistatic agent to be used in a manner that reduces static/fouling problems in highly active polymerization catalysts.

Abstract: Supported catalyst systems are provided comprising (a) a transition metal compound, (b) a non aluminoxane activator comprising, and (c) a support material comprising an inorganic metal oxide, inorganic metal halide or polymeric material or mixtures thereof characterised in that the support material has been pretreated with an SO4 containing compound. The preferred transition metal compounds are metallocenes and the SO4 containing compound is typically sulphuric acid. The supported catalyst systems show improved activity and also may reduce fouling in gas phase fluidised bed processes.

Abstract: A process for the homopolymerisation of ethylene or the copolymerisation of ethylene and (a-olefins in a polymeristation reactor, said process carried out in the presence of a catalyst system comprising (a) a polymerisation catalyst and (b) an ionic activator is characterised in that an organometallic compound of a Group IIIB metal having at least one unit of formula: Mç0çR or Mç0çM where M is the Group IIIB metal and R is a hydrocarbyl group is added to the reactor. Preferred organometallic compounds include aluminoxanes and the process results in improved poison scavenging as well as advantages in activity profiles, catalyst activity and product characteristics. The process is particularly suitable for use with supported metallocene catalyst systems in the slurry or gas phase.

Abstract: A process for the copolymerisation of ethylene and an ?-olefin having 7 to 10 carbon atoms in a fluidised bed gas phase reactor in the presence of a single site polymerisation catalyst comprises operating the process in condensed mode and wherein the amount of said ?-olefin is maintained below that at which substantial condensation in the reactor occurs. The preferred ?-olefin is 1-octene and the preferred single site polymerisation catalyst is a metallocene complex. By use of the process conditions of the present invention, higher ?-olefins may be successfully employed in a gas phase process provided the amount of higher ?-olefin comonomer is maintained below that at which substantial condensation occurs: Such operation is also dependent upon the operation temperature and the boiling point of the higher ?-olefin and the process is particularly advantageous when performed in the presence of catalysts able to incorporate high levels of comonomers at low comonomer inventories.

Abstract: A transition metal complex having the following Formula (A): wherein the monovalent groups R1 and R2 are —Ra, —ORb, —NRcRd, and —NHRe; the monovalent groups Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd and Re, and the divalent group R3 are (i) aliphatic hydrocarbon, (ii) alicyclic hydrocarbon, (iii) aromatic hydrocarbon, (iv) alkyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon (v) heterocyclic groups and (vi) heterosubstituted derivatives of said groups (i) to (v); M is a Group (3) to (11) or lanthanide metal; E is phosphorus or arsenic; X is an anionic group, L is a neutral donor group; n is (1) or (2), y and z are independently zero or integers, such that the number of X and L groups satisfy the valency and oxidation state of the metal M. n is preferably (2) and the two resulting R1 groups are preferably linked.

Abstract: A supported catalyst component comprising (a) a support material, an organometal compound, and (b) an activator compound comprising b.1) a cation which is capable of reacting with a transition metal metallocene compound to form a catalytically active transition metal complex, and b.2) a compatible anion having up to 100 nonhydrogen atoms and containing at least one substituent comprising an active hydrogen moiety; a supported catalyst comprising the supported catalyst component and a transition metal compound; process for making the same; an addition polymerization process using the supported catalyst; complex compounds, and a method for preparing the same.