Abstract: A method for making ethylene polymers and copolymers is disclosed. The method uses a catalyst system comprising a low level of an aluminum-containing activator, a bridged indenoindolyl transition metal complex, and a treated silica support. The method enables economical preparation of ethylene copolymers having very low density. The silica-supported, bridged complexes incorporate comonomers efficiently and are valuable for a commercial slurry loop process. Use of a bridged indeno[2,1-b]indolyl complex provides exceptionally efficient comonomer incorporation, and gives polymers with a substantial and controlled level of long-chain branching. The method facilitates the production of a wide variety of polyolefins, from HDPE to plastomers.

Abstract: A process for making ethylene copolymers is disclosed. Ethylene copolymerizes with an &agr;-olefin in the presence of a catalyst system comprising an activator and a silica-supported, bridged indenoindolyl metal complex having “open architecture.” The supported complex incorporates comonomers with exceptional efficiency, and the process gives ethylene copolymers having high molecular weights (Mw>100K) and very low densities (<0.910 g/cm3). Open architecture catalysts that include bridging through the indolyl nitrogen of the indenoindolyl framework are also described.

Abstract: A gas phase polymerization of ethylene is disclosed. The process uses a single-site catalyst containing at least one heteroatomic ligand selected from boraaryl, azaborolinyl, pyridinyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, indenoindolyl, carbazolyl, and quinolinyl. The catalysts are immobilized onto a support. The process comprises polymerizing an ethylene that contains from about 5 to about 15 mole % of a C3-C10 &agr;-olefin and gives polyethylene having a reduced viscosity.

Abstract: An ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is disclosed. The UHMWPE has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) greater than about 3,000,000 and molecular weight distribution less than about 5. A process for making the UHMWPE is also disclosed. The process is performed with a heteroatomic ligand-containing single-site catalyst in the presence of a non-alumoxane activator, but in the absence of an &agr;-olefin, an aromatic solvent, and hydrogen.

Abstract: A gas phase copolymerization of ethylene is disclosed. The process uses a supported single-site catalyst that contains a heteroatomic ligand and produces polyethylene that has a reduced density. Suitable heteroatomic ligands include boraaryl, azaborolinyl, pyridinyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, carbazolyl and quinolinyl.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyethylene film composition, comprising melt extruding a linear copolymer of ethylene and at least one other olefin having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, said linear copolymer having a bimodal distribution comprising a high molecular weight fraction having a weight average molecular weight of at least 600,000 and a low molecular weight fraction having a weight average molecular weight of less than 20,000 at a temperature of from 195 to 285.degree. C. in the presence of oxygen in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 6% by volume to improve bubble stability without any significant reduction in tear strength of film produced from said melt extruded linear copolymer.

Abstract: A multiple stage or multiple zone process for making olefin polymers is disclosed. A single-site catalyst, preferably one that contains a heteroatomic ligand, is used in the first stage or zone, and a Ziegler-Natta catalyst is used at a higher temperature in later stages or zones. A parallel multiple zone process is also described. The processes, which can be performed adiabatically, give polymers with improved thermal processing ability.

Abstract: A polyethylene film composition characterized as having a broad molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mm 15, a density of 0.920 to 0.970 g/cc, a melt flow index (190.degree. C./2.16 kg) of 0.01 to 0.2 g/10 min., the polyethylene film composition being produced by melt extruding a linear copolymer at a temperature of at least 180.degree. C. in the presence of an amount of a free radical initiator sufficient to improve bubble stability without any significant reduction in the tear strength of film produced from the composition as compared with film produced from the linear copolymer that has not been treated with the free radical initiator.

Abstract: A process for improving the stability of a polyarylate resin by reducing the terminal carboxyl acid group concentration of the polyarylate resin, the process being comprised of melting a mixture of the polyarylate resin and an aromatic carbonate capping agent and reacting the mixture under heat and, if necessary, vacuum until the concentration of the terminal carboxyl acid groups is reduced to less than that of the polyarylate resin prior to end-capping. The process also results in a polyarylate resin with a decreased flammability rating when the aromatic carbonate capping agent is bromine substituted.

Abstract: Polyethylene blow molding resins having improved processing properties such as reduction of flare swell and die swell are obtained by treating resins having particular molecular weight characteristics with low levels of free radical initiators. The free radical initiators are used at such low levels that the final physical properties of the resins are substantially unchanged, yet processing is greatly improved.

Abstract: Processing properties of polyethylene resins are improved while retaining original physical properties by incorporating less than 1.5 weight percent of high molecular weight, non-crystalline polyolefins into the polyolefin resins. The resulting compositions exhibit reduced melt viscosity at high shear rates while providing essentially unchanged finished physical properties of the polyethylene article.

Abstract: High activity catalysts for the polymerization of ethylene and other .alpha.-olefins are made by contacting a soluble magnesium compound of the general formula Mg(OSiR.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3).sub.2, wherein each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 is, independently, alkyl, alkoxy or aryl with a metal alkoxide, or a mixture of a titanium tetraalkoxide with an alkoxide of another transition metal, in a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon solution, followed by chlorination and precipitation by a suitable chlorinating agent. These catalysts show high activity for the polymerization of ethylene, especially under slurry polymerization conditions.

Abstract: An improved Ziegler/Natta catalyst for the polymerization of .alpha.-olefins containing from 2 to 30 carbon atoms, comprising titanium halide and organoaluminum cocatalyst modified by addition of ketones and monoethers. Metal halides can be used to further modify the catalyst.

Abstract: A method is provided for the production of ultrahigh molecular weight drag reducing substances and the like comprising:(a) preparing under an inert atmosphere a catalyst comprising:(1) titanium halide of the general formula TiX.sub.m wherein m=2.5 to 4.0;(2) a co-catalyst such as an organo-aluminum halide of the formula AlR.sub.n X.sub.3-n where r is a hydrocarbon radical, X is a halogen and n is 2 or 3;(3) a phosphorous compound of the formula PR.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 or P(OR.sub.1)(OR.sub.2)(OR.sub.3) where R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are, independently, aryl, alkyl, aralkyl, or alkaryl, containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms and placing the catalyst in contact with;(b) alpha-monoolefinic hydrocarbons from C.sub.2 -C.sub.30 under suitable temperature conditions to provide a hydrocarbon soluble ultrahigh molecular weight polymer, then ceasing polymerization at a polymer content level of 20% by weight or less, based on the total reaction mixture.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of supported Ziegler-Natta catalysts comprising contacting a transition metal alkoxide and/or siloxide compound with a magnesium-containing reagent. The magnesium reagent is prepared in the presence of a magnesium chloride support utilizing an anhydrous and oxygen-free mixture of magnesium halide and magnesium metal, slurried in a hydrocarbon solvent. A halogenated hydrocarbon is added to produce the magnesium-containing reagent. Thereafter the transition metal alkoxide and/or siloxide compound is mixed with the slurry. An alkylating agent is added to form an active supported olefin polymerization catalyst.

Abstract: Reaction products of organic magnesium compounds and silyl esters and/or poly (silyl esters) are contacted with transition metal compounds to yield active polymerization catalysts. In a preferred embodiment, the active polymerization catalyst is further activated by contacting with a halogenating agent soluble in a hydrocarbon solvent.

Abstract: High activity catalysts for the polymerization of ethylene and other .alpha.-olefins are made by contacting a soluble magnesium compound of the general formula Mg(OSiR.sub.3).sub.2, wherein each R is, independently, alkyl, alkoxy or aryl, with a titanium tetralkoxide (titanate) in a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon solution, followed by chlorination and precipitation by a suitable chlorinating agent. These catalysts show high activity for the polymerization of ethylene under slurry polymerization conditions.

Abstract: A method is provided for the production of ultrahigh molecular weight drag reducing substances and the like comprising:(a) preparing under an inert atmosphere a catalyst comprising: p1 (1) titanium halide of the general formula TiX.sub.m wherein m=2.5 to 4.0;(2) a co-catalyst of the formula AlR.sub.n X.sub.3-n where R is a hydrocarbon radical, X is a halogen or hydrogen and n is 2 or 3;(3) a phosphorous compound of the formula PR.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 or P(OR.sub.1) (OR.sub.2) (OR.sub.3) where R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are, independently, aryl, alkyl, aralkyl, or alkaryl, containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms and placing the catalyst in contact with;(b) alpha-monoolefinic hydrocarbons from C.sub.2 -C.sub.30 under suitable temperature conditions to provide a hydrocarbon soluble ultrahigh molecular weight polymer, then ceasing polymerization at a polymer content level of 20% by weight or less, based on the total reaction mixture.

Abstract: A method is provided for the production of ultrahigh molecular weight drag reducing substances and the like comprising:(a) preparing under an inert atmosphere a catalyst comprising:(1) titanium halide of the general formula TiXm wherein m=2.5 to 4.0 and X is a halogen;(2) a co-catalyst such as an organo-aluminum or organo-aluminum halide of the formula AlR.sub.n X.sub.3-n where R is a hydrocarbon radical containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, X is a halogen and n is 2 or 3;(3) a monoether compound of the formula R.sub.1 OR.sub.2 where R.sub.1, and R.sub.2 are, independently, aryl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, or alkaryl, each having up to 20 carbon atoms, and placing the catalyst in contact with;(b) alpha-monoolefinic hydrocarbons having from 2 to 30 carbon atoms under suitable temperature conditions to provide an ultrahigh molecular weight hydrocarbon soluble polymer, then(c) ceasing polymerization at a polymer content of 20% by weight or less, based on the total reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel hydrocarbon-insoluble poly-silyl esters and a method for forming these compounds utilizing carboxylic acid salts with silicon reagents in the presence of phase transfer catalysts.