Abstract: A series of soluble &agr;-diimine late transition metal catalysts has been invented comprising a substituted or unsubstituted catecholate ligand. The catalysts demonstrate high activity and selectivity for linear &agr;-olefins. As such, these catalysts conveniently oligomerize ethylene. Typical activators as known to those of ordinary skill in the art are used to activate these transition metal catalysts. These catalysts can be used in a supported or unsupported form.

Abstract: A series of soluble &agr;-diimine late transition metal catalysts has been invented. The catalysts demonstrate high activity and selectivity for linear &agr;-olefins. As such, these catalysts conveniently oligomerize ethylene. Typical activators as known to those of ordinary skill in the art are used to activate these transition metal catalyst. These catalysts can be used in a supported or unsupported form.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel metal complex which, when used with an activating cocatalyst, provides a novel catalyst composition. The invention also provides a polymerization method which utilizes the catalyst composition to produce polymers and copolymers containing polar monomer groups. More specifically, the invention comprises a composition comprising the formula LMXZn wherein X is selected from the group consisting of halides, hydride, triflate, acetates, borates, C1 through C12 alkyl, C1 through C12 alkoxy, C3 through C12 cycloalkyl, C3 through C12 cycloalkoxy, aryl, thiolates, carbon monoxide, cyanate, olefins, and any other moiety into which a monomer can insert. M is selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ag, and Au. L is a nitrogen-containing bidentate ligand having more than two nitrogen atoms. Z is a neutral coordinating ligand and n equals 0, 1, or 2.

Abstract: Homopolymers or copolymers of acrylates, homopolymers or copolymers of norbornenes, and copolymers of acrylates with norbornenes, may be prepared by contacting acrylate and/or norbornene monomer reactant under polymerization conditions and in the presence of a solvent with a catalyst system consisting essentially of a Pd(II) dimer component having the formula: [(L)Pd(R)(X)]2, where L is a monodentate phosphorus or nitrogen ligand, X is an anionic group, and R is an alkyl or aryl group.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel metal complex which, when used with an activating cocatalyst, provides a novel catalyst composition. The invention also provides a polymerization method which utilizes the catalyst composition to produce polymers and copolymers containing polar monomer groups. More specifically, the invention comprises a composition comprising the formula LMXZn wherein X is selected from the group consisting of halides, hydride, triflate, acetates, borates, C1 through C12 alkyl, C1 through C12 alkoxy, C3 through C12 cycloalkyl, C3 through C12 cycloalkoxy, aryl, thiolates, carbon monoxide, cyanate, olefins, and any other moiety into which a monomer can insert. M is selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ag, and Au. L is a nitrogen-containing bidentate ligand having more than two nitrogen atoms. Z is a neutral coordinating ligand and n equals 0, 1, or 2.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel metal complex which, when used with an activating cocatalyst, provides a novel catalyst composition. The invention also provides a polymerization method which utilizes the catalyst composition to produce polymers and copolymers containing polar monomer groups. More specifically, the invention comprises a composition comprising the formula LMXZn wherein X is selected from the group consisting of halides, hydride, triflate, acetates, borates, C1 through C12 alkyl, C1 through C12 alkoxy, C3 through C12 cycloalkyl, C3 through C12 cycloalkoxy, aryl, thiolates, carbon monoxide, cyanate, olefins, and any other moiety into which a monomer can insert. M is selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ag, and Au. L is a nitrogen-containing bidentate ligand having more than two nitrogen atoms. Z is a neutral coordinating ligand and n equals 0, 1, or 2.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards substantially linear copolymers formed using a metal complex having the formula LMX1X2. L is a bidentate nitrogen-containing ligand with more than 2 nitrogens. M is copper, silver, or gold. X1 and X2 are independently selected from the group consisting of halogens, hydride, triflate, acetate, trifluoroacetate, perfluorotetraphenylborate, tetrafluoroborate, C1 through C12 alkyl, C1 through C12 alkoxy, C3 through C12 cycloalkyl, C3 through C12 cycloalkoxy, aryl, and any other moiety into which a monomer can insert. Such metal complexes have a tetrahedral or pseudo-tetrahedral structure and may be used with an activating cocatalyst. The invention is derived from polymers and copolymers using such catalyst compositions, especially copolymers having segments formed from olefinic monomers and monomers having at least one hydrocarbyl polar functional group.

Abstract: Homopolymers or copolymers of acrylates, homopolymers or copolymers of norbornenes, and copolymers of acrylates with norbornenes, may be prepared by contacting acrylate and/or norbornene monomer reactant under polymerization conditions and in the presence of a solvent with a catalyst system consisting essentially of a Pd(II) dimer component having the formula: [(L)Pd(R)(X)]2, where L is a monodentate phosphorus or nitrogen ligand, X is an anionic group, and R is an alkyl or aryl group.

Abstract: Oily hyperbranched polymers derived from ethylene, propylene, butene and/or a C5-C24 &agr;-olefin, and a method for their synthesis, are disclosed. The polymers have non-regular microstructures and are characterized by a ratio ()of methyl hydrogens centered around 0.85 ppm on the 1H-NMR spectra of the polymers relative to total aliphatic hydrogens of from about 0.40 to about 0.65 for polymers derived from ethylene or butene, and a ratio ()of from greater than 0.50 to about 0.65 for polymers derived from propylene. A method for grafting hyperbranched polymers derived from ethylene, propylene, butene and/or a C5-C24 &agr;-olefin onto aromatic rings in organic molecules and polymers, and the resulting grafted materials, are also disclosed. The hyperbranched polymers and grafted materials are useful, for example, as lubricants and lubricant additives.

Abstract: Homopolymers or copolymers of acrylates, homopolymers or copolymers of norbornenes, and copolymers of acrylates with norbornenes, may be prepared by contacting acrylate and/or norbornene monomer reactant under polymerization conditions and in the presence of a solvent with a catalyst system consisting essentially of a Pd(II) dimer component having the formula: [(L)Pd(R)(X)]2, where L is a monodentate phosphorus or nitrogen ligand, X is an anionic group, and R is an alkyl or aryl group.

Abstract: Homopolymers or copolymers of acrylates, homopolymers or copolymers of norbornenes, and copolymers of acrylates with norbornenes, may be prepared by contacting acrylate and/or norbornene monomer reactant under polymerization conditions and in the presence of a solvent with a catalyst system consisting essentially of a Pd(II) dimer component having the formula:[(L)Pd(R)(X)].sub.2,where L is a monodentate phosphorus or nitrogen ligand, X is an anionic group, and R is an alkyl or aryl group.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards a metal complex having the formula LMX.sub.1 X.sub.2. L is a bidentate nitrogen-containing ligand with more than two nitrogen atoms. M is copper, silver, or gold. X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of halogens, C.sub.1 through C.sub.12 straight chain, branched, or cycloalkyl or aryl, C.sub.1 through C.sub.12 straight chain, branched, or cycloalkoxy, hydride, triflate, trifluoroacetate, trisperfluorotetraphenylborate, and tetrafluoroborate. Such metal complexes have a tetrahedral or pseudo-tetrahedral structure. The invention relates to a catalyst composition of the reaction product of the metal complex and an activating cocatalyst. The invention is also directed towards a method for forming polymers and copolymers using such catalyst compositions, especially copolymers having segments formed from olefinic monomers and monomers having at least one hydrocarbyl polar functional group.