Abstract: The present invention provides unimolecular metal complexes having increased activity in the copolymerization of carbon dioxide and epoxides. Also provided are methods of using such metal complexes in the synthesis of polymers. According to one aspect, the present invention provides metal complexes comprising an activating species with co-catalytic activity tethered to a multidentate ligand that is coordinated to the active metal center of the complex.

Abstract: The methods of the present invention comprise the steps of: providing a feedstock stream comprising an epoxide and carbon monoxide; contacting the feedstock stream with a metal carbonyl in a first reaction zone to effect conversion of at least a portion of the provided epoxide to a beta lactone; directing the effluent from the first reaction zone to a second reaction zone where the beta lactone is subjected to conditions that convert it to a compound selected from the group consisting of: an alpha beta unsaturated acid, an alpha beta unsaturated ester, an alpha beta unsaturated amide, and an optionally substituted polypropiolactone polymer; and isolating a final product comprising the alpha-beta unsaturated carboxylic acid, the alpha-beta unsaturated ester, the alpha-beta unsaturated amide or the polypropiolactone.

Abstract: The present invention provides unimolecular metal complexes having increased activity in the copolymerization of carbon dioxide and epoxides. Also provided are methods of using such metal complexes in the synthesis of polymers. According to one aspect, the present invention provides metal complexes comprising an activating species with co-catalytic activity tethered to a multidentate ligand that is coordinated to the active metal center of the complex.

Abstract: The present invention provides polycarbonate compositions having a tunable decomposition temperature. Suitable cationic additives (e.g., phosphonium, phosphazene, quaternary ammonium, guanidinium, pyridinium, arsonium, etc.) are disclosed for lowering the decomposition temperature of polymer compositions. The invention further provides methods of preparing such polymer compositions with tunable decomposition temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymer compositions having a tunable decomposition temperature. Suitable additives are disclosed for lowering the decomposition temperature of polymer compositions. The invention further provides methods of preparing such polymer compositions with tunable decomposition temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention provides unimolecular metal complexes having increased activity in the copolymerization of carbon dioxide and epoxides. Also provided are methods of using such metal complexes in the synthesis of polymers. According to one aspect, the present invention provides metal complexes comprising an activating species with co-catalytic activity tethered to a multidentate ligand that is coordinated to the active metal center of the complex.

Abstract: A composition useful as an addition polymerization catalyst comprising: A) an inert support; B) a Group 3-10 or Lanthanide metal complex; and C) an activator compound capable of causing the metal complex B) to form an active polymerization catalyst, said compound corresponding to the formula: (A*+a)b(Z*J*j)−cd,  (I)  wherein: A* is a cation of charge +a, Z* is an anion group of from 1 to 50, preferably 1 to 30 atoms, not counting hydrogen atoms, further containing two or more Lewis base sites; J* independently each occurrence is a Lewis acid coordinated to at least one Lewis base-site of Z*, and optionally two or more such J* groups may be joined together in a moiety having multiple Lewis acidic functionality, j is a number from 2 to 12 and a, b, c, and d are integers from 1 to 3, with the proviso that a×b is equal to c×d.

Abstract: A thermal method for studying chemical responses, such as catalyzed polymerization reactions that includes the following three steps. The first step is to flow a chemical substance through a conduit, the conduit being in thermal communication with an electrical conductor, the electrical conductor being co-linear with the conduit, the electrical resistance of the electrical conductor being a function of the temperature of the electrical conductor. A length of stainless steel tubing can be used as both the conduit and the conductor. The second step is to flow electricity through the electrical conductor during the first step. The third step is to measure the electrical resistance of the electrical conductor during the second step to determine any change in the temperature of the conduit caused by a response of the chemical substance.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions comprising a group 4 metal complex and an activator corresponding to the formula: (A*+a)b(Z*J*j)−cd, wherein: A* is a cation of charge +a, selected from the group consisting of ammonium-, sulfonium-, phosphonium-, oxonium-, carbonium-, silylium-, ferrocenium-, Ag+, and Pb+2; Z* is an anion group of from 1 to 50 atoms, not counting hydrogen atoms, further containing two or more Lewis base sites as defined in the claims; J* independently each occurrence is a Lewis acid coordinated to at least one Lewis base site of Z*, and optionally two or more such J* groups may be joined together in a moiety having multiple Lewis acidic functionality, j is a number from 2 to 12 and a, b, c, and d are integers from 1 to 3, with the proviso that a×b is equal to c×d.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions comprising a group 4 metal complex and an activator corresponding to the formula:

Abstract: A compound useful as a catalyst activator corresponding to the formula: (A*+a)b(Z*J*j)−cd, wherein: A* is a cation of charge +a, Z* is an anion group of from 1 to 50 atoms not counting hydrogen atoms, further containing two or more Lewis base sites; J* independently each occurrence is a Lewis acid coordinated to at least one Lewis base site of Z*, and optionally two or more such J* groups may be joined together in a moiety having multiple Lewis acidic functionality, j is a number from 2 to 12 and a, b, c, and d are integers from 1 to 3, with the proviso that a×b is equal to c×d.

Abstract: A compound useful as a catalyst activator corresponding to the formula:

Abstract: The monoether adduct of a tri(fluoroaryl)aluminum compound is prepared by an exchange reaction between a trihydrocarbylaluminum compound and a tri(fluororaryl)borane compound in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of a C.sub.1-6 aliphatic ether in an amount from 0.9 to 1.0 moles per mole of aluminum.

Abstract: A process for preparing tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane, the steps of the process comprising:a) forming a pentafluorophenyl metal compound wherein the metal is selected from Group 11 or 12;contacting the (pentafluorophenyl) metal compound from step a) with a boron halide compound to form tris (pentafluorophenyl)borane; andc) recovering the resulting tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane.

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.-.

Abstract: Catalyst systems useful in addition polymerization reactions comprising a Group 4 metal complex and a silylium salt activating cocatalyst are prepared by contacting the metal complex with a silylium salt of a compatible, non-coordinating anion, optionally the silylium salt is prepared by electrochemical oxidation and splitting of the corresponding disilane compound.

Abstract: Addition polymerization catalysts comprising a derivative of a Group 4 or Lanthanide metal compound prepared by oxidative activation, a process for preparation and an addition polymerization method utilizing such catalysts.

Abstract: Addition polymerization catalysts comprising a derivative of a Group 4-8 metal compound prepared by metal center oxidation.