Abstract: The invention describes ligands of formula (I), wherein LIG represents an &eegr;5-ligand substituted by a group R1 and a group (R″)m; X represents a 1 to 3 atom bridge; Y represents a nitrogen or phosphorus atom; Z represents a carbon, nitrogen or phosphorus atom.

Abstract: Olefin polymerization may be catalysed by a wide range of catalytic materials. Described herein is a heterogeneous olefin polymerization catalyst comprising a porous paniculate support material having impregnated therein a metallocene catalyst the metal atom whereof is bound to an amide group which is not bound to an &eegr;-ligand of the metallocene, or the reaction product of a said metallocene catalyst and a co-catalyst.

Abstract: The invention describes ligands of formula (I), wherein LIG represents an &eegr;5-ligand substituted by a group R1 and a group (R″)m; X represents a 1 to 3 atom bridge; Y represents a nitrogen or phosphorus atom; Z represents a carbon, nitrogen or phosphorus atom.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a catalyst material and the resultant catalyst material. The process comprises the steps of: (a) treating a particulate support material with an alkylating agent; (b) contacting the alkylating agent treated support material with a procatalyst; optionally (c) contacting the support material with an ionic catalyst activator, and optionally (d) recovering the catalyst-carrying support material. The process allows the simple and effective alkylation of procatalysts, such as metallocene procatalysts. The procatalyst comprises at least one triaza containing ligand.

Abstract: The invention relates to an organometallic compound comprising a central transition metal atom and a ligand coordinated thereto having a heteroatomic ring structure, characterized in that the ligand includes at least three nitrogen atoms, three of them being bonded to the same carbon atom.

Abstract: Olefin polymerization comprising catalysts based on a metallocene, an alumoxane and a support are disclosed. The process for the preparation of a supported olefin ploymerization catalyst comprises: a) a metallocene/activator reaction product, a solvent capable of dissolving it, and a porous support are brought into mutual contact, and b) the solvent is removed, and wherein step a) is carried out so that the porous support is impregnated with a volume of the metallocene/activator reaction product and solvent, which does not exceed the total pore volume of the support.

Abstract: The invention relates to the selective hydrogenation of unsaturated polymers, in particular elastomeric polymers which contain aromatic rings and carbon-carbon double rings, for example polymers prepared from styrene and butadiene. In this case, the polymer molecule contains internal and terminal-group double bonds, as well as unsaturated bonds in aromatic rings. According to the invention, only the unsaturated terminal and internal bonds are hydrogenated, whereby the thermal and weather resistance properties of the product are improved. Conventionally, hydrogenation has been performed by means of nickel or cobalt catalysts, but now it has been observed that a metallocene/alumoxane catalyst complex not only catalyzes the polymerization reaction of various olefinic compounds but also catalyzes the selective hydrogenation of unsaturated polymers, preferably styrene-butadiene-styrene block polymers.