Abstract: A polymerisation catalyst composition comprising (1) a transition metal compound of Formula (A), Z being 5-membered heterocyclic containing at least one carbon, at least one nitrogen and at least one of nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen, the others being nitrogen or carbon; M is a Group 3 to 11 metal or a lanthamide metal; E1 and E2 are divalent groups of aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic or alkyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon, or heterocyclic; D1 and D2 are donor atoms or groups; X is an anionic group, L is a neutral donor group; n=m=zero or 1; y and z are zero or integer such that X and L satisfy valency/oxidation state of M, (2) a catalyst-activating support which is a solid particulate substance, insoluble in hydrocarbons, comprising at least magnesium and aluminum atoms and hydrocarbyloxy groups containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms, the molar ration of Mg/Al being in the range 1.0 to 300 and the molar ratio of hydrocarbyloxy groups to aluminium atoms being in the range 0.5 to 2.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of zinc alkyl chain growth products via a catalysed chain growth reaction of an alpha-olefin on a zinc alkyl, wherein the chain growth catalyst system employs a group 3-10 transition metal, or a group 3 main group metal, or a lanthanide or actinide complex, and optionally a suitable activator. The products can be further converted into alpha-olefins by olefin displacement of the grown alkyls as alpha-olefins from the zinc alkyl chain growth product, or into primary alcohols, by oxidation of the resulting zinc alkyl chain growth product to form alkoxide compounds, followed by hydrolysis of the alkoxides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a compound of formula (I): (L)a(M1)b(M2)c(X)n as a polymerisation initiator, wherein M1 is a metal of Group 1, Group 2 or Group 12; M2 is transition metal or a main group metal, and M1?M2; each of b and c is independently 1 or 2; each X is independently selected from alkoxide (OR1), thiolate (SR2), amide (NR 3R4), carboxylate (C02R5) and acetylacetonate (HC(C(O)R6)2); each of R1-6 is independently a hydrocarbyl group; n is an integer such that the compound has an overall charge of zero; and L is absent or is a neutral donor ligand, where a is 1, 2, 3 or 4. The invention further relates to a novel compound of formula (I), and compositions comprising compounds of formula (I).

Abstract: A transition metal complex having the following Formula (A): wherein the monovalent groups R1 and R2 are —Ra, —ORb, —NRcRd, and —NHRe: the monovalent groups Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd and Re, and the divalent group R3 are (i) aliphatic hydrocarbon, (ii) alicyclic hydrocarbon, (iii) aromatic hydrocarbon, (iv) alkyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon (v) heterocyclic groups and (vi) heterosubstituted derivatives of said groups (i) to (v); M is a Group (3) to (11) or lanthanide metal; E is phosphorus or arsenic; X is an anionic group, L is a neutral donor group; n is (1) or (2), y and z are independently zero or integers, such that the number of X and L groups satisfy the valency and oxidation state of the metal M. n is preferably (2) and the two resulting R1 groups are preferably linked. The complex can be used with optional activator to polymerise olefins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) wherein each of X, Y, Z is independently selected from O, S, NR1, CR2R3, N and CR4, and where optionally X—Y, Y-Z, Z-E1 and X-E2 each independently form part of a saturated or unsaturated ring system which may be substituted or unsubstituted; m is 0 or 1; M is a metal selected from Ti[III], Ti[IV], Fe[II], Fe[III], Co[I], Co[II], Co[III], Ni[II], Cr[III], Mn[II], Mn[III], Mn[IV], Ru[II], Ru[III], Ru[IV], Pd[II], V[II], V[III], V[IV], V[V], Cu[I], Cu[II], Rh[I], Rh[III], Mo[III], Mo[V], Re[I] and Re[II]; each of E1 and E2 is independently selected from O, S, NR5, N, P, PR6, where at least one of either E1 or E2 carries a formal negative charge; L2 is a one electron donor ligand; n is zero or an integer such that the compound has an overall charge of zero or +1; L1 is NR7RB, PR7RB, OR7, SR7, O, S or NR16, imidazolyl, pyridinyl, benzimidazolyl or quinolinyl; each of R1-8 and R16 is independently H or a hydrocarbyl group; Q is a linker group; and r is

Abstract: A transition metal complex having the following Formula (A): wherein the monovalent groups R1 and R2 are —Ra, —ORb, —NRcRd, and —NHRe: the monovalent groups Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd and Re, and the divalent group R3 are (i) aliphatic hydrocarbon, (ii) alicyclic hydrocarbon, (iii) aromatic hydrocarbon, (iv) alkyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon (v) heterocyclic groups and (vi) heterosubstituted derivatives of said groups (i) to (v); M is a Group (3) to (11) or lanthanide metal; E is phosphorus or arsenic; X is an anionic group, L is a neutral donor group; n is (1) or (2), y and z are independently zero or integers, such that the number of X and L groups satisfy the valency and oxidation state of the metal M. n is preferably (2) and the two resulting R1 groups are preferably linked. The complex can be used with optional activator to polymerise olefins.

Abstract: A polymerisation catalyst comprising (1) a nitrogen-containing transition metal compound of Formula A, and (2) an organoaluminium or hydrocarbylboron activator, wherein either (a) R1 and R2 are monovalent groups or (b) R1 and R2 integrally form a divalent group R3 bridging the terminal nitrogen atoms of the triazene unit via carbon atoms; R1 and R2 and the divalent group R3 are (i) aliphatic hydrocarbon, (ii) alicyclic hydrocarbon, (iii) aromatic hydrocarbon, (iv) alkyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon (v) heterocyclic groups and (vi) heterosubstituted derivatives of said groups (i) to (v); M is a metal from Group 3 to 11 of the Periodic Table or a lanthanide metal; X is an anionic group, L is a neutral donor group; n is 1 or 2, y and z are independently zero or integers such that the number of X and L groups satisfy the valency and oxidation state of the metal M. The catalyst is used to polymerise 1-olefins especially ethylene and propylene. High molecular weight homo- and co-polypropylene are disclosed.

Abstract: A polymerisation catalyst comprising (1) a transition metal compound of Formula A, and optionally (2) an activating quantity of a Lewis acid activator, Formula (A), wherein Z is a five-membered heterocyclic group containing at least one carbon atom, at least one nitrogen atom and at least one other hetero atom selected from nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen, the remaining atoms in the ring being nitrogen or carbon; M is a metal from Group 3 to 11 of the Periodic Table or a lanthanide metal; E1 and E2 are divalent groups from (i) aliphatic hydrocarbon, (ii) alicyclic hydrocarbon, (iii) aromatic hydrocarbon, (iv) alkyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon (v) heterocyclic groups and (vi) heterosubstituted derivatives of groups (i) to (v); D? and D2 are donor groups; X is an anionic group, L is a neutral donor group; n=m=zero or 1; y and z are zero or integers. The catalysts are useful for polymerising or oligomerising 1-olefins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a complex having the formula (I) wherein M is selected from Sn(II), Sn(IV), Al(III) and Mg(II); each of R1 and R2 is independently hydrocarbyl; R3 is H or hydrocarbyl; and X is a linker group. A further aspect of invention relates to the use of said complex as a polymerisation initiator, particularly in the polymerisation of lactides.