Patents by Inventor Peter N. Nickias

Peter N. Nickias 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: 6268445
    Abstract: A catalyst activator particularly adapted for use in the activation of metal complexes of metals of Group 3-10 for polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomers, especially olefins, comprising two Group 13 metal or metalloid atoms and a ligand structure including at least one bridging group connecting ligands on the two Group 13 metal or metalloid atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignees: The Dow Chemical Company, Northwestern University
    Inventors: Mark H. McAdon, Peter N. Nickias, Tobin J. Marks, David J. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 6268444
    Abstract: This invention relates to heteroatom substituted cyclopentadienyl-containing ligands, metal complexes containing these ligands, catalyst systems prepared from catalyst components comprising these metal complexes. The metal complexes contain a “a” heteroatom-Cp bond or a ring heteroatom-Cp bond in the 3-position of the Cp. In preferred metal complexes the ligand is a 3-heteroatom substituted indenyl group. The catalyst systems for olefin polymerization may be used at high temperatures, are highly active and produce high molecular weight polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Jerzy Klosin, William J. Kruper, Jr., Peter N. Nickias, Jasson T. Patton, David R. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6235917
    Abstract: Group 3-6 or Lanthanide metal complexes possessing two metal centers joined by means of a divalent bridging group joining trivalent moieties comprising boron or a member of Group 14 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and optionally also comprising nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur or oxygen, in the complexes, catalysts derived therefrom by combining the same with strong Lewis acids, Bronsted acid salts, salts containing a cationic oxidizing agent or subjected to bulk electrolysis in the presence of compatible, inert non-coordinating anions and the use of such catalysts for polymerizing olefins, diolefins and/or acetylenically unsaturated monomers are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: David D. Graf, Jerzy Klosin, Peter N. Nickias, Jasson T. Patton
  • Patent number: 6191245
    Abstract: The present invention relates to &agr;-olefin/vinyl aromatic monomer interpolymers with characteristic signals in their carbon 13 NMR spectra. In particular, ethylene/styrene copolymers of the present invention have peaks in the carbon 13 NMR spectra which appear in the chemical shift range 43.70-44.25 ppm, preferably from 43.75-44.25 ppm and 38.0-38.5 ppm, said peaks being at least three times the peak to peak noise. The interpolymers are prepared by polymerizing the appropriate mixture of monomers in the presence of a catalyst such as racemic-(dimethylsilanediyl(2-methyl-4-phenylindenyl)) zirconium dichloride. The polymers of the present invention posses increased modulus as determined from both tensile stress/strain and dynamic mechanical data at comparable vinyl aromatic monomer levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Campbell, Jr., Mark H. McAdon, Peter N. Nickias, Jasson T. Patton, Oscar D. Redwine, Francis J. Timmers
  • Patent number: 6166161
    Abstract: This invention relates to copolymers from alpha-olefins, especially ethylene and propylene, and hindered allyl phenols (and other heteroatom-containing olefins) using Ziegler catalysts. New polyolefin compositions containing reactive groups can be prepared from this process. These copolymers have improved coatability and blending characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Mullins, Jorge Soto, Peter N. Nickias
  • Patent number: 6140521
    Abstract: Ansa bis(.mu.-substituted) Group 4 metal and aluminum compounds comprising a single Group 4 metal atom and two aluminum metal atoms corresponding to the formula: ##STR1## wherein: L' is a .pi.-bonded group,M is a Group 4 metal,J is nitrogen or phosphorus;Z is a divalent bridging group causing the complex to have an ansa structure,R' is an inert monovalent ligand;r is one or two;X independently each occurrence is a Lewis basic ligand group able to form a .mu.-bridging ligand group, and optionally the two X groups may be joined together, andA' independently each occurrence is an aluminum containing Lewis acid compound that forms an adduct with the metal complex by means of the .mu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Eugene Y. Chen, William J. Kruper, Jr., Peter N. Nickias, David R. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6087293
    Abstract: A support for use in preparing supported catalysts for addition polymerizations comprising the reaction product of: (A) an inorganic oxide material comprising reactive surface hydroxyl groups, at least some of said hydroxyl groups optionally having been functionalized an converted to a reactive silano moiety corresponding to the formula: --OSiR.sub.2 H, wherein R, independently each occurrence, is hydrogen C.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl, or C.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyloxy, said inorganic oxide or functionalized derivative thereof comprising less than 1.0 mmol of reactive surface hydroxyl functionality per gram, and (B) an activator compound comprising: b.sub.1) a cation which is capable of reacting with a transition metal compound to form a catalytically active transition metal complex, and b.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignees: The Dow Chemical Company, W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Edmund M. Carnahan, Michael J. Carney, David R. Neithamer, Peter N. Nickias, Keng-Yu Shih, Lee Spencer
  • Patent number: 6040401
    Abstract: Bridged, group 4 Metal complexes useful as olefin polymerization catalyst components corresponding to the formula: L.sub.1 ZL.sub.2 MX.sub.m X'.sub.nor a dimer, solvated adduct, chelated derivative or mixture thereof, wherein:L.sub.1 is a partially saturated tricyclic group, especially octahydrofluorenyl,L.sub.2 is a substituted cyclopentadienyl group that is bound to M by means of delocalized .pi.-electrons, said cyclopentadienyl group being substituted at one and only one of its two distal positions with a bulky ligand group,Z is divalent bridging substituent,X each occurrence is a monovalent, anionic moiety having up to 40 non-hydrogen atoms, optionally, two X groups may be covalently bound together forming a divalent dianionic moiety having both valences bound to M, or, optionally 2 X groups may be covalently bound together to form a neutral, conjugated or nonconjugated diene that is bonded to M by means of delocalized .pi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignees: The Dow Chemical Company, Northwestern University
    Inventors: Peter N. Nickias, Tobin J. Marks, Yasushi Obora
  • Patent number: 6034022
    Abstract: Group 4 metal constrained geometry complexes comprising a fused ring indenyl derivative ligand, catalytic derivatives thereof, processes for preparing the same and their use as components of olefin polymerization catalysts are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Mark H. McAdon, Jasson T. Patton, Peter N. Nickias, Ravi B. Shankar, Francis J. Timmers, Brian W. S. Kolthammer, Daniel D. VanderLende, Steven M. Ueligger
  • Patent number: 6034021
    Abstract: Catalytic derivatives of novel Group 4 metal complexes wherein the metal is in the +2, +3, or +4 formal oxidation state containing two ligand groups bound by .pi.-electrons, at least one of which is a cyclic or noncyclic, non-aromatic, anionic, dienyl ligand group and having a bridged ligand structure, and the use thereof as catalysts for polymerizing addition polymerizable monomers are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignees: The Dow Chemical Company, The University of Utah
    Inventors: David R. Wilson, Peter N. Nickias, David R. Neithamer, Richard D. Ernst
  • Patent number: 6015868
    Abstract: Group 4 metal complexes comprising an indenyl group substituted in the 2 or 3 position with at least one group selected from hydrocarbyl, fluoro-substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy-substituted hydrocarbyl, dialkylamino-substituted hydroacrbyl, silyl, germyl and mixtures thereof, said indenyl group further being covalently bonded to the metal by means of a divalent ligand group, catalytic derivatives thereof and their use as olefin polymerization catalysts are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Peter N. Nickias, Mark H. McAdon, Jasson T. Patton, Bernard P. Friedrichsen, Jorge Soto, James C. Stevens, Daniel D. VanderLende
  • Patent number: 5994255
    Abstract: Catalysts for olefin polymeriztion comprising metal complexes corresponding to the formula: ##STR1## or a dimer, solvated adduct, chelated derivative or mixture thereof, wherein:L is a cyclic group or Y*, that is bound to M by means of a delocalized .pi.-bond, said group containing up to 50 nonhydrogen atoms;L' is a cyclic group or Y* that is bound to M by means of a delocalized .pi.-bond, said group containing up to 50 nonhydrogen atoms;M is a metal of Group 4 of the Periodic Table of the Elements;Z is a covalently bound, divalent substituent of up to 50 non-hydrogen atoms having the formula, --(ER.sub.2).sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Peter N. Nickias, Francis J. Timmers, David D. Devore
  • Patent number: 5965756
    Abstract: Group 4 metal constrained geometry complexes comprising a fused ring indenyl derivative ligand, catalytic derivatives thereof, processes for preparing the same and their use as components of olefin polymerization catalysts are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Mark H. McAdon, Jasson T. Patton, Peter N. Nickias, Ravi B. Shankar, Francis J. Timmers, Brian W. Kolthammer, Daniel D. VanderLende, Steven M. Ueligger
  • Patent number: 5959047
    Abstract: Group 4 metal constrained geometry complexes comprising a 3-aryl-substituted indenyl ligand, catalytic derivatives thereof and their use as olefin polymerization catalysts, especially for preparing interpolymers comprising ethylene and a monovinyl aromatic monomer are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Peter N. Nickias, Jasson T. Patton
  • Patent number: 5892076
    Abstract: Metal complexes useful as olefin polymerization catalysts corresponding to the formula: ##STR1## or a dimer, solvated adduct, chelated derivative or mixture thereof, wherein:Q is a cyclic group or Y*, that is bound to M by means of a delocalized .pi.-bond, said group containing up to 50 nonhydrogen atoms;M is a metal of Group 3, 4 or the Lanthanide series of the Periodic Table of the Elements;Z is a covalently bound, divalent substituent of up to 50 non-hydrogen atoms having the formula, --(ER.sub.2).sub.m --, wherein E independently each occurrence is carbon, silicon or germanium, R independently each occurrence is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy, silyl, and germyl of up to 20 atoms other than hydrogen, and m is an integer from 1 to 3;Y* is an allyl or a hydrocarbyl-, silyl- or germyl-substituted allyl group containing up to 20 nonhydrogen atoms bonded to Z and bonded via an .eta..sup.3 -.pi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Peter N. Nickias
  • Patent number: 5866704
    Abstract: Group 4 metal constrained geometry complexes comprising a 3-aryl- substituted indenyl ligand, catalytic derivatives thereof and their use as olefin polymerization catalysts, especially for preparing interpolymers comprising ethylene and a monovinyl aromatic monomer are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Peter N. Nickias, Jasson T. Patton
  • Patent number: 5854362
    Abstract: Metal complexes corresponding to the formula: ##STR1## wherein: L independently each occurrence is a delocalized, .pi.-bonded group that is bound to M, containing up to 50 nonhydrogen atoms;M is a metal of Group 3, 4 or the Lanthanide series of the Periodic Table of the Elements;Z is a covalently bound, divalent substituent of up to 50 non-hydrogen atoms having the formula, --(ER.sub.2).sub.m --, wherein E independently each occurrence is carbon, silicon or germanium, R independently each occurrence is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl, and C.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyloxy, with the proviso that in at least one occurrence R is C.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Peter N. Nickias, Lee Spencer
  • Patent number: 5817849
    Abstract: Novel Group 4 metal complexes wherein the metal is in the +2, +3, or +4 formal oxidation state containing two ligand groups bound by n-electrons, at least one of which is a cyclic or noncyclic, non-aromatic, anionic, dienyl ligand group and having a bridged ligand structure, catalytic derivatives of such complexes; and the use thereof as catalysts for polymerizing addition polymerizable monomers are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: David R. Wilson, Peter N. Nickias, David R. Neithamer, Richard D. Ernst
  • Patent number: 5723398
    Abstract: Addition polymerization catalysts-comprising 1) a Group 4 metal complex in the .sup.+ 3 oxidation state containing two delocalized .pi.-bonding moieties, and a stabilizing ligand covalently bonded to the metal and also datively bonded to the metal via lone pair electrons of an amine, phosphine, ether or thioether group and 2) an activating cocatalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Robert K. Rosen, Peter N. Nickias, David D. Devore, James C. Stevens, Francis J. Timmers
  • Patent number: 5721185
    Abstract: A process for preparing addition polymerization catalysts having a limiting charge separated structure corresponding to the formula:LMX.sup.+ XA.sup.-,wherein:L is a derivative of a substituted delocalized .pi.-bonded group imparting a constrained geometry to the metal active site and containing up to 50 nonhydrogen atoms;M is a metal of Group 4 or the Lanthanide series of the Periodic Table of the Elements;X independently each occurrence is hydride or a hydrocarbyl, silyl or germyl group having up to 20 carbon, silicon or germanium atoms; andA.sup.- is an anion of a Lewis acid, A, having relative Lewis acidity greater than or equal to that of phenylbis(perfluorophenyl)borane, said anion being compatible with the metal cation,the steps of the process comprising contacting a derivative of a Group 4 or Lanthanide metal corresponding to the formula:i LMX.sub.2,whereinL, M, and X are as previously defined,with the Lewis acid, A, under conditions to cause abstraction of X and formation of the anion XA.sup.-.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Robert E. LaPointe, James C. Stevens, Peter N. Nickias, Mark H. McAdon