Abstract: A process for making a solid composition comprising alkoxide groups, chloride groups, one or more metals, M, in the +2 oxidation state selected from Mg, Ca, Mn, Cu, Co or Zn, and one or more metals, T, in the +3, +4 or +5 oxidation state selected from Ti, Zr, V, Sm, Fe, Ni, Rh, Co, Cr, Mo, W or Hf, the molar ratio M/T of the composition being from 2.5 to 3.75, said process comprising contacting one or more alkoxide containing compounds of metal M, one or more alkoxide compounds of metal T, and a halide compound, the molar ratio M/T of the contacting compounds being from 2.5 to 3.5, and recovering the resulting solid.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer produced without a hydrogenation step is functionalized utilizing a free radical initiator and a functionalizing monomer having at least one point of unsaturation. The base polymers can be produced by copolymerizing an &agr;-olefin capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer which provides a “hook” for grafting to with a living polystyrene chain. Another method is to copolymerize an &agr;-olefin monomer system capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer containing a functional group from which an anionically polymerizable monomer is grown from the backbone. A third method involves copolymerizing an &agr;-olefin monomer system capable of giving an amorphous backbone with an olefin-terminated polystyrene comonomer. In a less preferred embodiment, a conventional EPDM polymer can be metallated and a monoalkenyl aromatic compound anionically polymerizable monomer grown from the backbone.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer produced without a hydrogenation step is functionalized utilizing a free radical initiator and a functionalizing monomer having at least one point of unsaturation. The base polymers can be produced by copolymerizing an &agr;-olefin capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer which provides a “hook” for grafting to with a living polystyrene chain. Another method is to copolymerize an &agr;-olefin monomer system capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer containing a functional group from which an anionically polymerizable monomer is grown from the backbone. A third method involves copolymerizing an &agr;-olefin monomer system capable of giving an amorphous backbone with an olefin-terminated polystyrene comonomer. In a less preferred embodiment, a conventional EPDM polymer can be metallated and a monoalkenyl aromatic compound anionically polymerizable monomer grown from the backbone.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer produced without a hydrogenation step is functionalized utilizing a free radical initiator and a functionalizing monomer having at least one point of unsaturation. The base polymers can be produced by copolymerizing an &agr;-olefin capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer which provides a “hook” for grafting to with a living polystyrene chain. Another method is to copolymerize an &agr;-olefin monomer system capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer containing a functional group from which an anionically polymerizable monomer is grown from the backbone. A third method involves copolymerizing an &agr;-olefin monomer system capable of giving an amorphous backbone with an olefin-terminated polystyrene comonomer. In a less preferred embodiment, a conventional EPDM polymer can be metallated and a monoalkenyl aromatic compound anionically polymerizable monomer grown from the backbone.

Abstract: A mixed metal-containing precursor is disclosed whereby the precursor includes: a) a mixed metal component represented by the following formula:

Abstract: A method of halogenating a precursor to form a polymerization procatalyst is disclosed whereby a magnesium/transition metal-containing alkoxide complex precursor is contacted with a halogenating agent selected from alkylaluminum halide, TiX4, SiX4, BX3, and Br2, where halide and X are reach respectively a halogen, and when an alkylaluminum halide, TiX4, SiX4, BX3, and Br2 are used as the halogenating agent, they are used together or in combination in a multi-step halogenation. The procatalyst then can be converted to an olefin polymerization catalyst by contacting it with a cocatalyst and optionally a selectivity control agent, and used to polymerize olefins in high yield with desired properties.

Abstract: A solid self-supported cycloalkadienyl catalyst component is disclosed that includes: (i) a mixed metal alkoxide complex which is the reaction product of a magnesium alkoxide or aryloxide and at least one group IVB metal-containing alkoxide or aryloxide; and (ii) Cp, where Cp is a cyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbon having from 3-30 carbon atoms. A self-supported hybrid catalyst also is disclosed which contains the above components (i) and (ii), as well as (iii) a Ziegler-Natta catalyst species. A method of making the self-supported cycloalkadienyl catalyst and the self-supported hybrid catalyst and a method of polymerizing olefins using the catalysts also are disclosed. The catalysts are capable of producing polyolefins in high yield having a broad molecular weight distribution, or a bimodal distribution.

Abstract: A solid self-supported cycloalkadienyl catalyst component is disclosed that includes: (i) a mixed metal alkoxide complex which is the reaction product of a magnesium alkoxide or aryloxide and at least one group IVB metal-containing alkoxide or aryloxide; and (ii) Cp, where Cp is a cyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbon having from 3-30 carbon atoms. A self-supported hybrid catalyst also is disclosed which contains the above components (i) and (ii), as well as (iii) a Ziegler-Natta catalyst species. A method of making the self-supported cycloalkadienyl catalyst and the self-supported hybrid catalyst and a method of polymerizing olefins using the catalysts also are disclosed. The catalysts are capable of producing polyolefins in high yield having a broad molecular weight distribution, or a bimodal distribution.

Abstract: A solid self-supported hybrid catalyst is disclosed which contains (i) a Ziegler-Natta catalyst component including at least one group IVB metal-containing alkoxide or aryloxide; and (ii) Cp, where Cp is a cycloalkadienyl hydrocarbon having from 3-30 carbon atoms. A method of making the self-supported hybrid catalyst and a method of polymerizing olefins using the catalysts also are disclosed. The catalysts are capable of producing polyolefins in high yield having a broad molecular weight distribution, or a bimodal molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: A solid self-supported cycloalkadienyl catalyst component is disclosed that includes: (i) a mixed metal alkoxide complex which is the reaction product of a magnesium alkoxide or aryloxide and at least one group IVB metal-containing alkoxide or aryloxide; and (ii) Cp, where Cp is a cyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbon having from 3-30 carbon atoms. A self-supported hybrid catalyst also is disclosed which contains the above components (i) and (ii), as well as (iii) a Ziegler-Natta catalyst species. A method of making the self-supported cycloalkadienyl catalyst and the self-supported hybrid catalyst and a method of polymerizing olefins using the catalysts also are disclosed. The catalysts are capable of producing polyolefins in high yield having a broad molecular weight distribution, or a bimodal distribution.

Abstract: A self-supported hybrid olefin polymerization catalyst comprising a Ziegler-Natta component and a metallocene component whereby the metallocene component is affixed to the Ziegler-Natta component is disclosed. In the hybrid catalyst, the Ziegler-Natta component includes a solid complex of magnesium, transition metal, and alkoxide moieties where the transition metal is selected from one or more metals having an oxidation state of +3, +4, +5, and mixtures thereof. A method of making the hybrid catalyst and a method of polymerizing olefins using the hybrid catalyst also are disclosed. The hybrid catalyst is capable of producing polyolefins having a broad molecular weight, or bimodal distribution in high yield.

Abstract: A mixed metal-containing precursor is disclosed whereby the precursor includes: a) MgZrMx where M is selected from one or more metals having a +3 or +4 oxidation state, x is from 0 to about 2, and where the molar ratio of magnesium to the mixture of zirconium and M is within the range of from about 2.5 to 3.6; and b) at least one moiety complexed with component a) selected from the group consisting of alkoxide groups, phenoxide groups, halides, hydroxy groups, carboxylate groups, amide groups, and mixtures thereof A polymerization procatalyst prepared from the mixed metal containing precursor, methods of making the precursor and procatalyst, as well as polymerization methods using the procatalyst also are disclosed.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer produced without a hydrogenation step is functionalized utilizing a free radical initiator and a functionalizing monomer having at least one point of unsaturation. The base polymers can be produced by copolymerizing an &agr;-olefin capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer which provides a “hook” for grafting to with a living polystyrene chain. Another method is to copolymerize an &agr;-olefin monomer system capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer containing a functional group from which an anionically polymerizable monomer is grown from the backbone. A third method involves copolymerizing an &agr;-olefin monomer system capable of giving an amorphous backbone with an olefin-terminated polystyrene comonomer. In a less preferred embodiment, a conventional EPDM polymer can be metallated and a monoalkenyl aromatic compound anionically polymerizable monomer grown from the backbone.

Abstract: A method of halogenating a precursor to form a polymerization procatalyst is disclosed whereby a magnesium/transition metal-containing alkoxide complex precursor is contacted with a halogenating agent selected from alkylaluminum halide, TiX4, SiX4, BX3, and Br2, where halide and X are reach respectively a halogen, and when an alkylaluminum halide, TiX4, SiX4, BX3, and Br2 are used as the halogenating agent, they are used together or in combination in a multi-step halogenation. The procatalyst then can be converted to an olefin polymerization catalyst by contacting it with a cocatalyst and optionally a selectivity control agent, and used to polymerize olefins in high yield with desired properties.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer produced without a hydrogenation step is functionalized utilizing a free radical initiator and a functionalizing monomer having at least one point of unsaturation. The base polymers can be produced by copolymerizing an &agr;-olefin capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer which provides a “hook” for grafting to with a living polystyrene chain. Another method is to copolymerize an &agr;-olefin monomer system capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer containing a functional group from which an anionically polymerizable monomer is grown from the backbone. A third method involves copolymerizing an &agr;-olefin monomer system capable of giving an amorphous backbone with an olefin-terminated polystyrene comonomer. In a less preferred embodiment a conventional EPDM polymer can be metallated and a monoalkenyl aromatic compound anionically polymerizable monomer grown from the backbone.

Abstract: Complexes of magnesium and titanium alkoxides useful as olefin polymerization procatalyst precursors, procatalysts containing the complexes, and their use as a catalyst component for the polymerization of olefin monomers are disclosed. The complexes are prepared by reacting a magnesium alkoxide and a titanium alkoxide in the presence of a clipping agent to form a solid complex. The solid complex then can be used to form a procatalyst by contacting it with a halogenating agent, optionally a tetravalent titanium halide, and optionally an electron donor. The procatalyst then can be converted to an olefin polymerization catalyst by contacting it with a cocatalyst and optionally a selectivity control agent.

Abstract: A process for production of a polyethylene blend in situ comprising contacting ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin with a magnesium/titanium based catalyst system including a partially activated precursor and a cocatalyst in each of two fluidized bed reactors connected in series, one of the provisos being that the precursor is formed by contacting an alkylaluminum halide with a solid reaction product prepared from a magnesium alkoxide, a titanium tetraalkoxide, and a solubility enhancing agent.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer produced without a hydrogenation step is functionalized utilizing a free radical initiator and a functionalizing monomer having at least one point of unsaturation. The base polymers can be produced by copolymerizing an .alpha.-olefin capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer which provides a "hook" for grafting to with a living polystyrene chain. Another method is to copolymerize an .alpha.-olefin monomer system capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer containing a functional group from which an anionically polymerizable monomer is grown from the backbone. A third method involves copolymerizing an .alpha.-olefin monomer system capable of giving an amorphous backbone with an olefin-terminated polystyrene comonomer. In a less preferred embodiment, a conventional EPDM polymer can be metallated and a monoalkenyl aromatic compound anionically polymerizable monomer grown from the backbone.

Abstract: A method of producing graft block copolymers which comprises (a) grafting a halosilane of the formulaHSiX.sub.n R.sub.3-nwherein X is halogen, R is alkyl or aryl, and n=1-3, onto a .alpha.-olefin/diene copolymer made from at least one .alpha.-olefin and at least one diene, (b) anionically polymerizing at least one anionically polymerizable monomer to form living polymer chains, and (c) reacting the products of (a) and (b) together wherein the living polymer chains react with the halosilane groups on the .alpha.-olefin/diene copolymer and are added thereto as pendant side chains.