Abstract: The invention discloses a method for making a hydrogenated metallocene catalyst component comprising the steps of: 1. Providing a compound comprising at least one aromatic group; 2. Hydrogenating the at least one aromatic group in the presence of hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst to form a hydrogenated compound; and 3. Forming a metallocene catalyst component from the hydrogenated compound from step 2.

Abstract: A metallocene compound comprising a transition metal, a first substituted or unsubstituted indenyl or fluorenyl ligand pi—bonded to the transition metal, a second monoanionic ligand bonded to the transition metal, and a divalent bridging group bonded to the indenyl ligand and said second monoanionic ligand, wherein said bridging group is connected to the four, five, six or seven position of the indenyl ligand or to the one, two, three, four, five, six, seven or eight position of the fluorenyl ligand, and wherein at least one of one of the first and second ligands comprises at least one halogen substituent directly bonded to any sp2 carbon atom at a bondable ring position of the ligand.

Abstract: A metallocene compound is represented by the formula (1): wherein: M is a Group 3, 4, 5 or 6 transition metal atom, or a lanthanide metal atom, or actinide metal atom, preferably a Group 4 transition metal atom selected from titanium, zirconium or hafnium; E is a substituted or unsubstituted monocyclic or polycyclic arenyl ligand pi-bonded to M; A is a substituted or unsubstituted polycyclic arenyl ligand that is pi-bonded to M and has a different ring structure than the E ligand; at least one of the A and E ligands includes at least one halogen substituent directly bonded to an sp2 carbon at a bondable ring position; Y is a bridging group containing at least one Group 13, 14, 15, or 16 element and any single position of the ring structure of A and to any single position of the ring structure of E; and y is zero or 1, indicating the absence (y=0) or presence (y=1) of Y; and each X is a univalent anionic ligand, or two X are joined and bound to the metal atom to form a metallocycle ring, or two X are joine

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a polyolefin composition comprising contacting a metallocene pre-catalyst with a substoichiometric amount of a co-catalyst; adding a first olefin monomer; and polymerizing the first monomer for a time sufficient to form the polyolefin. The method allows for the use of a minimum amount of activating co-catalyst, and allows for the production of stereoregular and non-stereoregular polyolefins. The use of configurationally stable metallocene pre-catalysts allows for the production of monomodal isotactic polyolefins having narrow polydispersity. The use of configurationally unstable metallocene pre-catalysts allows for the production of monomodal atactic polyolefins having narrow polydispersity. The method of the present invention optionally further comprises contacting the polyolefin with a second amount of said co-catalyst; adding a second olefin monomer; polymerizing said second olefin monomer to form a block-polyolefin composition.

Abstract: A metallocene compound comprises a transition metal and at least one substituted monocyclic or polycyclic arene ligand bonded to the transition metal, wherein said arene ligand comprises at least one halogen substituent directly bonded to an sp2 carbon atom at a bondable ring position of an aromatic five-membered ring of said arene ligand.

Abstract: A 1-butene polymer optionally containing from 0 to 30% by mol of derived units of ethylene, propylene or alpha-olefin of formula CH2?CHZ, wherein Z is a C3-C20 linear or branched alkyl radical, having the following features: a) distribution of molecular weight (Mw/Mn) lower than 4; b) Melt flow rate (MFR) measured according to ISO 1133 (190° C., 2.16 kg); c) Intrinsic viscosity (IV) measured in tetrahydronaftalene (THN) at 135° C. lower than 0.8 dl/g; d) melting point higher than 100° C.; e) isotactic pentads (mmmm) measured with 13C-NMR operating at 100.61 MHz higher than 90%; f) 4,1 insertions not detectable at a C13-NMR operating at 100.61 MHz; and g) a yellowness index lower than 0.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions comprising a first metallocene compound, a second metallocene compound, an activator-support, and an organoaluminum compound are provided. An improved method for preparing cyclopentadienyl complexes used to produce polyolefins is also provided.

Abstract: An olefin polymerization process comprising contacting one or more olefins and a catalyst component in a reaction zone under suitable reaction conditions to form a polyolefin, wherein the catalyst component is characterized by the formula: B(Cp)(Fl)MQ2 wherein M comprises a metal, Q comprises a halogen, an alkyl group or an aryl group or combinations thereof, Cp comprises a cyclopentadienyl group, Fl comprises a fluorenyl group, B is a bridging group that may be characterized by the general formula —YRH wherein Y comprises C or Si and R comprises an alkyl group, an aryl group, a poly-aryl group or combinations thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of olefin polymerization catalyst compositions, and methods for the polymerization and copolymerization of olefins, including polymerization methods using a supported catalyst composition. One aspect of this invention is the prepraration and use of a catalyst composition comprising a hydrocarbyl-substituted metallocene compound and a chemically-treated solid oxide for olefin polymerization processes. In another aspect, for example, this invention encompasses the preparation of a catalyst composition comprising (?5-cycloalkadienyl)2Zr(hydrocarbyl)2 complexes and sulfated alumina, but containing no organoaluminum or organoboron cocataysts, and further the use of this catalyst composition for polymerizing olefins.

Abstract: A method of producing a polymer comprising contacting in a reaction zone under conditions suitable for polymerization of an alpha-olefin monomer with a metallocene catalyst having at least three asymmetric centers, and recovering an alpha-olefin polymer from the reaction zone. A method of polymerizing propylene comprising contacting in a reaction zone propylene, a cocatalyst, and a metallocene catalyst having the formula including stereoisomers: and recovering polypropylene from the reaction zone. A polypropylene composition having a tensile modulus from 40,000 psi to 300,000 psi, a tensile strength at yield from 2,000 psi to 6,000 psi, a tensile strength at break from 1,000 psi to 3,500 psi, a tensile strength from 1,000 psi to 5,000 Kpsi, an elongation at yield of greater than or equal to 10%, and an elongation at break from 50% to 500%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to propylene based copolymers and to processes for producing propylene based copolymers, particularly propylene-ethylene copolymers. These unique copolymers are prepared using metallocene catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of the formula (I): where M1 is an element of group 3, 4, 5 or 6 of the Periodic Table, X are halogen, hydrogen, C1-C20-alkyl, C2-C20-alkenyl, C6-C22-aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl, n is a natural number from 1 to 4. R1 is hydrogen or a C1-C40 radical, R2 is a substituted or unsubstituted C6-C40-aryl radical or C2-C40-heteroaromatic radical containing at least one heteroatom, R3 is hydrogen or a C1-C40 radical, or the radicals R2 and R3 together form a ring system, R4 is hydrogen or a C1-C40 radical, R5 is a C1-C40 radical, and Z is a divalent group CR8R9—CR10R11, where R8, R9, R10 and R11 are hydrogen or a C1-C40 radical.

Abstract: A supported catalyst composition having improved flow properties is disclosed comprising an alkylalumoxane, a metallocene-alkyl an inorganic oxide support having an average particle size of from 0.1 to 50 ?m and calcined at a temperature greater than 600° C., and optionally an antifoulant agent and. In one embodiment, the metallocene-alkyl is a Group 4, 5 or 6 metallocene-alkyl, and in another embodiment is a hafnocene-alkyl. Also disclosed is a method of polymerization using such a supported catalyst composition.

Abstract: A catalyst system includes a metallocene compound having the formula R9 L1 L2 M1 R1 R2 wherein R9 is a bridge between ligands L1 and L2 and M1 is a metal of Group IVB of the Periodic Table such as titanium, zirconium and hafnium and R1 and R2 can be hydrogen or aliphatic or aromatic groups. Bridge R9 can include silicon, germanium or tin. The metallocene compound of the invention as synthesized has a racemic to meso isomer ratio of greater than 5 to 1, thereby precluding the need for subsequent separation of the meso isomer.

Abstract: A process for producing a propylene-ethylene block copolymer in a good morphology using a catalyst system comprising a metallocene catalyst (1) preparing high crystalline polypropylene, a metallocene catalyst (2) preparing low crystalline polypropylene, a porous carrier (3), aluminoxane (4) or a compound (4) which can be reacted with the metallocene catalysts described above to form an ionic complex and, if necessary, an organic aluminum compound (5) and a propylene-ethylene block copolymer. The resultant compound has a high transparency and a low elastic modulus.

Abstract: A novel transition metal compound wherein the transition metal belongs to group 4 of the periodic table and the transition metal compound has a hydrogen atom ligand and three cyclopentadienyl ligands comprising at least one substituted cyclopentadienyl ligand. The novel transition metal compound can be used as a component of a catalyst exhibiting high activity for olefin polymerization and is characteristic in containing no halogen element.

Abstract: Supported stereospecific catalysts and processes for the stereotactic propagation of a polymer chain derived from ethylenically unsaturated monomers such as the polymerization of propylene to produce syndiotactic polypropylene or isotactic polypropylene. The supported catalyst comprises a stereospecific metallocene catalyst component and a co-catalyst component comprising an alkylalumoxane. Both the metallocene catalyst component and the co-catalyst component are supported on a particulate polyorganosilsesquioxane support comprising spheroidal particles of a polyorganosilsesquioxane having an average. diameter with the range of 0.3–20 microns. The polyorganosilsesquioxane support is characterized by relatively low surface area, specifically a surface area less than 100 square meters per gram. The metallocene component can take the form of a single metallocene or two or more metallocenes which are co-supported on the polyorganosilsesquioxane support.

Abstract: This invention relates to catalyst compositions comprising a first metallocene compound, a second metallocene compound, at least one chemically-treated solid oxide, and at least one organoaluminum compound. This invention also relates to methods to prepare and use the catalyst compositions and new polyolefins. The compositions and methods disclosed herein provide ethylene polymers and copolymers with lower MI, increased melt strength, and good MD tear properties.

Abstract: Organometallic transition metal compounds of the formula (I) where M1 is an element of group 3, 4, 5 or 6 of the Periodic Table of the Elements or the lanthanides; X are identical or different and are each halogen, hydrogen, C1–C20-alkyl, C2–C20-alkenyl, C6–C22-aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl part and from 6 to 22 carbon atoms in the aryl part, —OR5 or —NR5R6, where two radicals X may also be joined to one another or two radicals X may together form a substituted or unsubstituted diene ligand, in particular a 1,3-diene ligand; where R5 and R6 are each C1–C10-alkyl, C6–C15-aryl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, fluoroalkyl or fluoroaryl each having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical and from 6 to 22 carbon atoms in the aryl radical; n is a natural number from 1 to 4 which is equal to the oxidation number of M1 minus 2; R1 is a C2–C40 radical which is branched in the ? position; R2 is hydrogen or a C1–C40 radical which may be branched or unbranched in the ? position;

Abstract: Novel metallocene monohalides can be used in the polymerization of olefins.

Abstract: Provided is a catalyst component for producing a polyolefin, which catalyst component comprises a metallocene catalyst having a structure according to formula (I): (THI)2R?MQp, wherein each THI is a tetrahydroindenyl derivative which may be substituted or unsubstituted, provided that at least one of the tetrahydroindenyl derivatives is substituted at the 2-position or the 4-position; R? is a structural bridge to impart stereorigidity between the two THI groups; M is a metal from Group IIIB, IVB, VB or VIB; Q is a hydrocarbyl group having from 1–20 carbon atoms, or a halogen; and p is the valence of M minus 2.

Abstract: A process for making polyolefins is disclosed. The process comprises polymerizing an olefin in the presence of an activator, an organometallic complex, and an aluminum phosphate support. The complex comprises a Group 3 to 10 transition metal and an indenoindolyl ligand that is bonded to the transition metal. The use of the aluminum phosphate support in combination with the indenoindolyl complex provides an unexpected boost in catalyst activity when compared with other common supports. When a combination of olefins is used, good comonomer incorporation is obtained.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing ethylene is disclosed. The ethylene is polymerized with a catalyst system which comprises an activator and an indeno[2,1-b]indolyl Group 4-6 transition metal complex having open architecture. The process gives polyethylene having a broad molecular weight distribution for improved processability.

Abstract: A process for the continuous gas-phase (co-)polymerisation of olefins in a fluidised bed reactor using a Ziegler-Nata type catalyst wherein the polymerisation is performed in the presence of a process aid additive selected from at least one of (1) a polysulphone copolymer; (2) a polymeric polyamine or (3) an oil-soluble sulphonic acid.

Abstract: Polymer blends of isotactic polypropylene and syndiotactic polypropylene enhance the processability in film applications. Up to a level of 4% by weight of syndiotactic polypropylene will increase the molecular weight distribution. Up to a level of 13.9% by weight of syndiotactic polypropylene the clarity or haze of biaxially oriented film is improved. Within a range from about 2.34% by weight of syndiotactic polypropylene to about 13.9% by weight the melt flow is higher than that for either a syndiotactic homopolymer or an isotactic homopolymer. Within a range from about 2% by weight of syndiotactic polypropylene to about 13.9% by weight the level of xylene solubles is higher than that for either a syndiotactic homopolymer or an isotactic homopolymer. If appropriate catalysts are selected, a reactor blend may be produced of the desired mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of fulvene complexes, and their use as catalysts for the polymerization of unsaturated compounds.

Abstract: An ethylene polymerization process is disclosed. The process uses a single-site catalyst that contains a boraaryl ligand. The catalyst is premixed with alkyl aluminum to reduce the induction time of the catalyst. In addition, premixing the catalyst with triethyl aluminum significantly enhances the bulk density of polyethylene.

Abstract: A cast film comprises a layer comprising a metallocene-catalyzed substantially syndiotactic propylene polymer. Optionally, the cast film has on at least one side an outer skin layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Group 15 containing metal catalyst compound having a substituted hydrocarbon leaving group, a catalyst system and a supported catalyst system thereof and to a process for polymerizing olefin(s) utilizing them.

Abstract: A supported metallocene complex of a metal M selected from Ti, Zr or Hf, is prepared by a process comprising, in a first step, the reaction of an inorganic carrier containing hydroxyl groups with a compound (II) containing a cyclopentadienyl group and at least one alkoxysilane group reactive with said hydroxyl groups so as to chemically bind said cyclopentadienyl group to said carrier; and in a second step the reaction with a complex of said metal M capable of reacting with said supported cyclopentadienyl group without carrying out any intermediate metallation of the latter. This process is simple and convenient, and enables high concentrations of metal stably bound to the carrier, to be reached. The complex thus obtained can be used as solid component of a catalyst active in the polymerization of .alpha.-olefins, in the presence of a suitable co-catalyst, preferably consisting of an organo-oxygenated derivative of aluminum.

Abstract: The synthesis and characterization of novel linear polymers and multi-arm star polymers comprising polyisobutylene arms connected to a well-defined calixarene core are described. The polymers are directly telechelic. They synthesis has been achieved using the "core first" method wherein multifunctional calix?n!arene (where n=4 to 16) derivatives or their monofunctional analogues are used as initiators which, in conjunction with certain Freidel-Crafts acids as co-initiators, induce the living polymerization of isobutylene or a similar carbocationic polymerizable monomer. Novel initiators suitable for inducing the polymerization are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for olefin metathesis. The process comprises (a) providing a reaction mixture comprising an olefin, a metathesis initiator, and a reaction medium comprising carbon dioxide, and (b) reacting the reaction mixture to provide a metathesis modified olefin. The olefin metathesis reaction may be an olefin metathesis exchange reaction, an olefin metathesis degradation reaction, or a metathesis polymerization reaction. The carbon dioxide medium may be liquid, supercritical, and gaseous carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A supercritical graft copolymerization process is described which includes the steps of: adding a polymer into a high pressure reactor; adding a free radically polymerizable monomer into the reactor; adding a free radical polymerization initiator; adding a sufficient amount of a supercritical solvent to dissolve at least a portion of the polymer and the monomer when supercritical conditions are achieved inside the reactor; and heating and pressurizing the reactor to achieve supercritical conditions therein for a time sufficient to effect a graft copolymerization on the polymer by the polymerizing monomer which forms at least one side chain on the polymer. In general, the reaction pressure will range from 70 atm. to 200 atm. and the reaction temperature will range from 50.degree. C. to 90.degree. C. In the examples provided above, the supercritical solvent was carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A process for producing an alpha-olefin polymer, which comprises polymerizing an alpha-olefin in the presence of a catalyst formed from(A) a solid catalyst component comprising an inorganic carrier and deposited thereon a compound of a transition metal of Group IVB of the periodic table treated with an organometallic compound, and(B) an aluminoxane.

Abstract: A method for the production of poly(vinyl trifluoroacetate) and copolymers thereof with vinyl esters is described. Poly(vinyl trifluoroacetate) (PVTFA) is obtained in relatively high yield under mild conditions by using carbon dioxide under supercritical conditions as a solvent. Synthesis of syndiotactic PVTFA on a commercial scale without the use of environmentally-harmful solvents is made possible by the invention, which provides a convenient route to syndiotactic polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: A free radical polymerization process for the preparation of thermoplastic resin or resins comprising:heating a mixture of a free radical initiator, a stable free radical agent, and at least one polymerizable monomer compound;adding under pressure a supercritical fluid, and mixing with sulfur dioxide;polymerizing said polymerizable monomer to form said thermoplastic resin or resins with a high monomer to polymer conversion;cooling said mixture;optionally isolating said thermoplastic resin or resins; andoptionally washing and drying said thermoplastic resin, or resins.

Abstract: Polyisoolefins are produced according to the invention by polymerizing isoolefins having 4 to 16 carbon atoms, optionally with conjugated diolefins having 4 to 6 carbon atoms and/or cationically polymerizable, mono- or polyunsaturated, organic compounds having 4 to 16 carbon atoms in the presence of mixtures of carbon dioxide and linear, branched and/or cyclic C.sub.4 -C.sub.8 alkanes and in the presence of catalysts at temperatures of -70.degree. C. to +20.degree. C. and pressures of 1 to 70 bar, wherein the weight ratio of carbon dioxide to alkanes is 10:90 to 90:10.The process according to the invention largely prevents the formation of fouling on the reactor walls, so ensuring better removal of heat. Moreover, in accordance with the process according to the invention, the polyisoolefins obtained may be directly chemically modified once the carbon dioxide has been removed.