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 catalyst composition. One aspect of this invention is the formation and use of a catalyst composition comprising a stannoxy-substituted half-sandwich metallocene and an activator for olefin polymerization processes. For example, this invention encompasses the preparation of (?5-C5H5)Ti(OSnPh3)Cl2, its contact with an activator, for example, zinc-impregnated chlorided alumina, to form a catalyst composition, and the use of this catalyst composition for polymerizing olefins or acetylenes.

Abstract: Diaryliodonium salts are disclosed, as well as a method for preparing them, in which one of the aryl groups bonded to the positively-charged iodine ion contains a methyl substituent, and the other one contains a hydroxyl-substituted alkoxy group. The salts are synthesized from (o, m, or p)- iodotoluene, as opposed to iodobenzene, and therefore do not pose a carcinogenic risk. In addition, the present salts are unexpectedly more soluble in most organic solvents, as well as in nonpolar monomers, than the corresponding benzene catalysts. The salts are useful as cationic photoinitiators, cationic thermal initiators (often combined with a cocatalyst, e.g. copper), and as starting materials in the synthesis of urethane-containing iodonium salts.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 represents alkyl, cycloalkyl or aralkyl, R* represents fluorophenyl or trifluoromethylphenyl when R.sup.1 is alkyl; R* represents dichlorophenyl, neopentyl, trimethylsilylmethyl, dimethylphenylsilylmethyl or a group of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sup.2 represents halogen, trifluoromethyl, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy when R.sup.1 is cycloalkyl; or R* represents 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, neopentyl, trimethylsilylmethyl, dimethylphenylsilylmethyl or a group of the formula: ##STR3## wherein R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 independently represent halogen, trifluoromethyl, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy when R.sup.1 is aralkyl, m represents 1 or 2, and X represents halogen, imidazolyl, triazolyl, phenylthio or a radical selected from the group consisting of: ##STR4## wherein R.sup.6 represents alkyl, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 independently represent lower alkyl and R.sup.9 and R.sup.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 represents alkyl, cycloalkyl or aralkyl, R* represents fluorophenyl or trifluoromethylphenyl when R.sup.1 is alkyl; R* represents dichlorophenyl, neopentyl, trimethylsilylmethyl, dimethylphenylsilylmethyl or a group of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sup.2 represents halogen, trifluoromethyl, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy when R.sup.1 is cycloalkyl; or R* represents 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, neopentyl, trimethylsilylmethyl, imethylphenylsilylmethyl or a group of the formula: ##STR3## wherein R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 independently represent hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy when R.sup.1 is aralkyl, m represents 1 or 2, and X represents halogen, imidazolyl, triazolyl, phenylthio or a radical selected from the group consisting of: ##STR4## wherein R.sup.6 represents alkyl, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 independently represent lower alkyl and R.sup.9 and R.sup.