Patents by Inventor John E. Bercaw

John E. Bercaw has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9969828
    Abstract: Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) is produced from an ethylene-only feed over a tandem catalyst system consisting of a phenoxy-imine titanium trimerization catalyst and a silylene-linked cyclopentadienyl/amido titanium polymerization catalyst co-supported on the same methylaluminoxane/silica particles. The level of 1-hexene incorporation in the LLDPE can be controlled by varying the ethylene pressure. Tandem, co-silica-supported ethylene trimerization and ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization catalysts produce linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) from an ethylene-only feedstock. The percentage 1-hexene incorporation in the LLDPE may be varied by adjusting the amounts of the two catalysts on the silica support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Aluthge, Aaron Sattler, Mamdouh Al-Harthi, Jay A. Labinger, John E. Bercaw
  • Patent number: 9944572
    Abstract: A method for coupling an alkane with an alkene using a hydrogen transfer catalyst and an alkene dimerization catalyst to form one or more higher molecular weight hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: David Leitch, Jay A. Labinger, John E. Bercaw, Yan Choi Lam
  • Publication number: 20170320792
    Abstract: A method for coupling an alkane with an alkene using a hydrogen transfer catalyst and an alkene dimerization catalyst to form one or more higher molecular weight hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: David Leitch, Jay A. Labinger, John E. Bercaw, Yan Choi Lam
  • Publication number: 20170210834
    Abstract: Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) is produced from an ethylene-only feed over a tandem catalyst system consisting of a phenoxy-imine titanium trimerization catalyst and a silylene-linked cyclopentadienyl/amido titanium polymerization catalyst co-supported on the same methylaluminoxane/silica particles. The level of 1-hexene incorporation in the LLDPE can be controlled by varying the ethylene pressure. Tandem, co-silica-supported ethylene trimerization and ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization catalysts produce linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) from an ethylene-only feedstock. The percentage 1-hexene incorporation in the LLDPE may be varied by adjusting the amounts of the two catalysts on the silica support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicants: California Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Aluthge, Aaron Sattler, Mamdouh Al-Harthi, Jay A. Labinger, John E. Bercaw
  • Patent number: 9676680
    Abstract: A method for coupling an alkane with an alkene using a hydrogen transfer catalyst and an alkene dimerization catalyst to form one or more higher molecular weight hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: David Leitch, Jay A. Labinger, John E. Bercaw, Yan Choi Lam
  • Patent number: 8802796
    Abstract: A catalyst and/or precatalyst for olefin oligomerization comprising one or more coordination complexes having one or more central palladium metal atoms. Each palladium atom is bonded to four ligand donor atoms. Two of the donor atoms are group 16 elements and two of the donor atoms are group 15 elements. Also provided are neutral or cationic coordination complex dimers, so that the two palladium atoms are both bonded to one or two donor atoms from group 16, and each palladium atom is bonded to two donor atoms from group 15. In some instances, each of the two group 16 donor atoms are oxygen and each of the four group 15 donor atoms are nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Paul Oblad, Matthew S. Winston, Jay A. Labinger, John E. Bercaw, Sander Gaemers
  • Publication number: 20140200376
    Abstract: The disclosure provides for hydrocarbon production by hydrogenation and oligomerizaton and, more particularly, to catalysis of alkanes and alkenes by a tandem transfer hydrogenation and oligomerization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: David Leitch, Jay A. Labinger, John E. Bercaw, Yan Choi Lam
  • Publication number: 20120283398
    Abstract: A catalyst and/or precatalyst for olefin oligomerization comprising one or more coordination complexes having one or more central palladium metal atoms. Each palladium atom is bonded to four ligand donor atoms. Two of the donor atoms are group 16 elements and two of the donor atoms are group 15 elements. Also provided are neutral or cationic coordination complex dimers, so that the two palladium atoms are both bonded to one or two donor atoms from group 16, and each palladium atom is bonded to two donor atoms from group 15. In some instances, each of the two group 16 donor atoms are oxygen and each of the four group 15 donor atoms are nitrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicants: BP CHEMICALS LIMITED, CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Paul Oblad, Matthew S. Winston, Jay A. Labinger, John E. Bercaw, Sander Gaemers
  • Patent number: 8067654
    Abstract: Transition metal catalysts comprise (a) a source of a Group 3 to 10 transition metal, (b) a ligand having the formula: R1R2X—Y—XR3R4 wherein X is phosphorus, arsenic or antimony, Y is a bridging group having the formula: Z-(A)-D-Rm wherein Z is the moiety linking the X groups, A is a linear or cyclic hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl or substituted heterohydrocarbyl linking group wherein the number of atoms directly linking Z to D is 1, 2 or 3, D is N, P, As, O, S or Se, R is hydrogen, alkyl, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heteroalkyl, heterohydrocarbyl or substituted heterohydrocarbyl, and m is 1 or 2, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are the same or different and represent hydrocarbyl or functionalized hydrocarbyl moieties with the proviso that if D is nitrogen, R is not a cyclic ether, and optionally an activator. The transition metal catalysts are suitable for the selective trimerisation or tetramerisation of olefins in particular ethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Ineos Europe Limited
    Inventors: John E Bercaw, Paul Richard Elowe, Stefan Klaus Spitzmesser
  • Patent number: 7847099
    Abstract: A non-metallocene organometallic complex comprising a tridentate ligand and a metal bonded to a tridentate ligand, wherein two substituted aryl groups in the tridentate ligand are connected to a cyclic group at the ortho position via semi-rigid ring-ring linkages, and selected so to provide the resulting non-metallocene organometallic complex with a CS geometry, a C1 geometry, a C2 geometry or a C2v geometry. Method for performing olefin polymerization with a non-metallocene organometallic complex as a catalyst, related catalytic systems, tridentate ligand and method for providing a non-metallocene organometallic complex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Theodor Agapie, Suzanne Rose Golisz, Daniel Tofan, John E. Bercaw
  • Publication number: 20090118117
    Abstract: The invention is directed to catalyst systems for the oligomerization of ethylene. In some embodiments, the catalyst system includes ethylene, a solvent, and a catalyst activated with an aluminoxane co-catalyst. The system may further include an additive. Various modifications to the different reaction parameters may be made to fine-tune the reaction properties, such as productivity, activity and selectivity for a particular oligomer. For example, the solvent may be modified to include a mixture of at least two solvents. Alternatively, the co-catalyst may be modified by aging or partially fluorinating the co-catalyst. In another alternative, an additive may be included in the reaction system. Each modification to the reaction system effects a different reaction outcome, thereby enabling fine-tuning of the reaction properties by varying the modifications to the reaction system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Paul R. Elowe, John E. Bercaw
  • Publication number: 20080177020
    Abstract: A non-metallocene organometallic complex comprising a tridentate ligand and a metal bonded to a tridentate ligand, wherein two substituted aryl groups in the tridentate ligand are connected to a cyclic group at the ortho position via semi-rigid ring-ring linkages, and selected so to provide the resulting non-metallocene organometallic complex with a CS geometry, a C1 geometry, a C2 geometry or a C2v geometry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Theodor Agapie, Suzanne Rose Golisz, Daniel Tofan, John E. Bercaw
  • Patent number: 6693153
    Abstract: The invention provides metallocene catalyst systems for the controlled polymerization of alkenes to a wide variety of polyolefins and olefin coplymers. Catalyst systems are provided that specifically produce isotactic, syndiotactic and steroblock polyolefins. The type of polymer produced can be controlled by varying the catalyst system, specifically by varying the ligand substituents. Such catalyst systems are particularly useful for the polymerization of polypropylene to give elastomeric polypropylenes. The invention also provides novel elastomeric polypropylene polymers characterized by dyad (m) tacticities of about 55% to about 65%, pentad (mmmm) tacticities of about 25% to about 35%, molecular weights (MW) in the range of about 50,000 to about 2,000,000, and have mmrm+rrmr peak is less than about 5%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Stephen A. Miller, John E. Bercaw
  • Publication number: 20030139544
    Abstract: The invention provides metallocene catalyst systems for the controlled polymerization of alkenes to a wide variety of polyolefins and olefin coplymers. Catalyst systems are provided that specifically produce isotactic, syndiotactic and steroblock polyolefins. The type of polymer produced can be controlled by varying the catalyst system, specifically by varying the ligand substituents. Such catalyst systems are particularly useful for the polymerization of polypropylene to give elastomeric polypropylenes. The invention also provides novel elastomeric polypropylene polymers characterized by dyad (m) tacticities of about 55% to about 65%, pentad (mmmm) tacticities of about 25% to about 35%, molecular weights (MW)in the range of about 50,000 to about 2,000,000, and have mmrm+rrmr peak is less than about 5%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Stephen A. Miller, John E. Bercaw
  • Patent number: 6469188
    Abstract: The invention provides metallocene catalyst systems for the controlled polymerization of alkenes to a wide variety of polyolefins and olefin coplymers. Catalyst systems are provided that specifically produce isotactic, syndiotactic and steroblock polyolefins. The type of polymer produced can be controlled by varying the catalyst system, specifically by varying the ligand substituents. Such catalyst systems are particularly useful for the polymerization of polypropylene to give elastomeric polypropylenes. The invention also provides novel elastomeric polypropylene polymers characterized by dyad (m) tacticities of about 55% to about 65%, pentad (mmmm) tacticities of about 25% to about 35%, molecular weights (Mw)in the range of about 50,000 to about 2,000,000, and have mmrm+rrmr peak is less than about 5%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Stephen A. Miller, John E. Bercaw
  • Patent number: 5708101
    Abstract: A metallocene catalyst system for the polymerization of .alpha.-olefins to yield stereospecific polymers including syndiotactic, and isotactic polymers. The catalyst system includes a metal and a ligand of the formula ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alkyl, 5 to 7 membered cycloalkyl, which in turn may have from 1 to 3 C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alkyls as a substituent, C.sub.6 to C.sub.15 aryl or arylalkyl in which two adjacent radicals may together stand for cyclic groups having 4 to 15 carbon atoms which in turn may be substituted, or Si(R.sup.8).sub.3 where R.sup.8 is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alkyl, C.sub.6 to C.sub.15 aryl or C.sub.3 to C.sub.10 cycloalkyl; R.sup.4 and R.sup.6 are substituents both having van der Waals radii larger than the van der Waals radii of groups R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 ; R.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: John E. Bercaw, Timothy A. Herzog