Abstract: Novel phosphine-free non-ionic single catalysts, and method for making such catalysts, for the homo-polymerization and copolymerization of olefins such as ethylene, ?-olefins and functionalized olefins without the use of additional co-activators, are disclosed. These phosphine-free non-ionic single catalysts are also active for co-polymerization of olefins with monomers with polar functionalities. The catalyst of this invention comprise of a late transition metal with a chelating monoanionic ligand, an R group and a neutral 2 electron donor ligand. Catalysts are prepared by the oxidative addition of benzylhalide (halide=Cl, Br or I) to an appropriate metal source in the presence of a stabilizing agent, such as nitrogen based ligands, followed by the addition of the deprotonated form of the chelating ligand.

Abstract: A method for forming a nanocomposite by olefin polymerization in which at least one cation-exchanging layered load material, selected from the group consisting of cation-exchanging, layered inorganic silicates and cation-exchanging, layered compounds other than silicates, is treated with acid to disrupt its layered structure and is combined with a catalyst that becomes activated for olefin polymerization when in contact with the acid-treated filler. An olefin is contacted by the activated catalyst—filler combination either (a) in the absence of an alkylaluminum co-catalyst or (b) with an alkylaluminum co-catalyst when the activatable catalyst is a polyalkylmetal compound, to form a nanocomposite containing polyolefin and the acid-treated filler. In a particular embodiment, sufficient filler is used to constitute at least 30 weight % of the nanocomposite to prepare a highly loaded nanocomposite masterbatch.

Abstract: A method for forming a nanocomposite by olefin polymerization in which at least one cation-exchanging layered load material, selected from the group consisting of cation-exchanging, layered inorganic silicates and cation-exchanging, layered compounds other than silicates, is treated with acid to disrupt its layered structure and is combined with a catalyst that becomes activated for olefin polymerization when in contact with the acid-treated filler. An olefin is contacted by the activated catalyst-filler combination either (a) in the absence of an alkylaluminum co-catalyst or (b) with an alkylaluminum co-catalyst when the activatable catalyst is a polyalkylmetal compound, to form a nanocomposite containing polyolefin and the acid-treated filler. In a particular embodiment, sufficient filler is used to constitute at least 30 weight % of the nanocomposite to prepare a highly loaded nanocomposite masterbatch.

Abstract: Novel phosphine-free non-ionic single catalysts, and method for making such catalysts, for the homo-polymerization and copolymerization of olefins such as ethylene, a-olefins and functionalized olefins without the use of additional co-activators, are disclosed. These phosphine-free non-ionic single catalysts are also active for co-polymerization of olefins with monomers with polar functionalities. The catalyst of this invention comprise of a late transition metal with a chelating monoanionic ligand, an R group and a neutral 2 electron donor ligand. Catalysts are prepared by the oxidative addition of benzylhalide (halide=Cl, Br or I) to an appropriate metal source in the presence of a stabilizing agent, such as nitrogen based ligands, followed by the addition of the deprotonated form of the chelating ligand.