Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08F—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
  • C08F210/00—Copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond
  • C08F210/16—Copolymers of ethene with alpha-alkenes, e.g. EP rubbers
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08F—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
  • C08F210/00—Copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond
  • C08F210/02—Ethene
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08F—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
  • C08F4/00—Polymerisation catalysts
  • C08F4/42—Metals; Metal hydrides; Metallo-organic compounds; Use thereof as catalyst precursors
  • C08F4/44—Metals; Metal hydrides; Metallo-organic compounds; Use thereof as catalyst precursors selected from light metals, zinc, cadmium, mercury, copper, silver, gold, boron, gallium, indium, thallium, rare earths or actinides
  • C08F4/60—Metals; Metal hydrides; Metallo-organic compounds; Use thereof as catalyst precursors selected from light metals, zinc, cadmium, mercury, copper, silver, gold, boron, gallium, indium, thallium, rare earths or actinides together with refractory metals, iron group metals, platinum group metals, manganese, rhenium technetium or compounds thereof
  • C08F4/62—Refractory metals or compounds thereof
  • C08F4/64—Titanium, zirconium, hafnium or compounds thereof
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08F—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
  • C08F4/00—Polymerisation catalysts
  • C08F4/42—Metals; Metal hydrides; Metallo-organic compounds; Use thereof as catalyst precursors
  • C08F4/44—Metals; Metal hydrides; Metallo-organic compounds; Use thereof as catalyst precursors selected from light metals, zinc, cadmium, mercury, copper, silver, gold, boron, gallium, indium, thallium, rare earths or actinides
  • C08F4/60—Metals; Metal hydrides; Metallo-organic compounds; Use thereof as catalyst precursors selected from light metals, zinc, cadmium, mercury, copper, silver, gold, boron, gallium, indium, thallium, rare earths or actinides together with refractory metals, iron group metals, platinum group metals, manganese, rhenium technetium or compounds thereof
  • C08F4/62—Refractory metals or compounds thereof
  • C08F4/64—Titanium, zirconium, hafnium or compounds thereof
  • C08F4/642—Component covered by group C08F4/64 with an organo-aluminium compound
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08F—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
  • C08F4/00—Polymerisation catalysts
  • C08F4/42—Metals; Metal hydrides; Metallo-organic compounds; Use thereof as catalyst precursors
  • C08F4/44—Metals; Metal hydrides; Metallo-organic compounds; Use thereof as catalyst precursors selected from light metals, zinc, cadmium, mercury, copper, silver, gold, boron, gallium, indium, thallium, rare earths or actinides
  • C08F4/60—Metals; Metal hydrides; Metallo-organic compounds; Use thereof as catalyst precursors selected from light metals, zinc, cadmium, mercury, copper, silver, gold, boron, gallium, indium, thallium, rare earths or actinides together with refractory metals, iron group metals, platinum group metals, manganese, rhenium technetium or compounds thereof
  • C08F4/62—Refractory metals or compounds thereof
  • C08F4/64—Titanium, zirconium, hafnium or compounds thereof
  • C08F4/659—Component covered by group C08F4/64 containing a transition metal-carbon bond
  • C08F4/65908—Component covered by group C08F4/64 containing a transition metal-carbon bond in combination with an ionising compound other than alumoxane, e.g. (C6F5)4B-X+
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08F—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
  • C08F4/00—Polymerisation catalysts
  • C08F4/42—Metals; Metal hydrides; Metallo-organic compounds; Use thereof as catalyst precursors
  • C08F4/44—Metals; Metal hydrides; Metallo-organic compounds; Use thereof as catalyst precursors selected from light metals, zinc, cadmium, mercury, copper, silver, gold, boron, gallium, indium, thallium, rare earths or actinides
  • C08F4/60—Metals; Metal hydrides; Metallo-organic compounds; Use thereof as catalyst precursors selected from light metals, zinc, cadmium, mercury, copper, silver, gold, boron, gallium, indium, thallium, rare earths or actinides together with refractory metals, iron group metals, platinum group metals, manganese, rhenium technetium or compounds thereof
  • C08F4/62—Refractory metals or compounds thereof
  • C08F4/64—Titanium, zirconium, hafnium or compounds thereof
  • C08F4/659—Component covered by group C08F4/64 containing a transition metal-carbon bond
  • C08F4/65912—Component covered by group C08F4/64 containing a transition metal-carbon bond in combination with an organoaluminium compound
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08F—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
  • C08F4/00—Polymerisation catalysts
  • C08F4/42—Metals; Metal hydrides; Metallo-organic compounds; Use thereof as catalyst precursors
  • C08F4/44—Metals; Metal hydrides; Metallo-organic compounds; Use thereof as catalyst precursors selected from light metals, zinc, cadmium, mercury, copper, silver, gold, boron, gallium, indium, thallium, rare earths or actinides
  • C08F4/60—Metals; Metal hydrides; Metallo-organic compounds; Use thereof as catalyst precursors selected from light metals, zinc, cadmium, mercury, copper, silver, gold, boron, gallium, indium, thallium, rare earths or actinides together with refractory metals, iron group metals, platinum group metals, manganese, rhenium technetium or compounds thereof
  • C08F4/62—Refractory metals or compounds thereof
  • C08F4/64—Titanium, zirconium, hafnium or compounds thereof
  • C08F4/659—Component covered by group C08F4/64 containing a transition metal-carbon bond
  • C08F4/65916—Component covered by group C08F4/64 containing a transition metal-carbon bond supported on a carrier, e.g. silica, MgCl2, polymer

Definitions

• the invention relates to a process for making polyolefins.
• the process which uses catalysts having a bridged indenoindolyl ligand with "open architecture," is valuable for making polyolefins with exceptionally low densities.
• BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION While Ziegler-Natta catalysts are a mainstay for polyolefin manufacture, single-site (metallocene and non-metallocene) catalysts represent the industry's future. These catalysts are often more reactive than Ziegler-Natta catalysts, and they produce polymers with improved physical properties.
• the improved properties include narrow molecular weight distribution, reduced low molecular weight extractables, enhanced incorporation of ⁇ -olefin comonomers, lower polymer density, controlled content and distribution of long-chain branching, and modified melt rheology and relaxation characteristics.
• Single-site olefin polymerization catalysts having "open architecture” are generally known. Examples include the so-called “constrained geometry” catalysts developed by scientists at Dow Chemical Company (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,802), which have been used to produce a variety of polyolefins.
• "Open architecture” catalysts differ structurally from ordinary bridged metallocenes, which have a bridged pair of pi-electron donors. In open architecture catalysts, only one group of the bridged ligand donates pi electrons to the metal; the other group is sigma bonded to the metal.
• Nifant'ev teaches the use of bridged indenoindolyl complexes as catalysts for making polyolefins, including polypropylene, HDPE and LLDPE.
• the complexes disclosed by Nifant'ev do not have open architecture.
• PCT Int. Appl. WO 01/53360 discloses bridged indenoindolyl complexes having open architecture and their use to produce substantially amorphous propylene-based polymers. Resconi teaches many open architecture complexes but none that are bridged through the indolyl nitrogen. Moreover, all of the complexes are used only to make propylene polymers; their use to produce low-density ethylene polymers is not disclosed. Resconi's teachings are also limited to indeno[2,1-b]indolyl complexes; the reference includes no disclosure of indeno[1 ,2-b]indolyl complexes or their use for making propylene polymers.
• the indenoindolyl framework is versatile. The need continues, however, for new ways to make polyolefins-especially ethylene copolymers-with very low densities. In particular, it is difficult to make ethylene polymers having densities less than about 0.915 g/cm 3 using known indenoindolyl complexes. On the other hand, ethylene polymers having such low densities are valuable for special applications requiring elastomeric properties. The industry would also benefit from the availability of new catalysts that capitalize on the inherent flexibility of the indenoindolyl framework. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is a process for making ethylene copolymers.
• the process comprises copolymerizing ethylene with an ⁇ -olefin in the presence of a catalyst system comprising an activator and a silica-supported organometallic complex.
• the complex which has "open architecture,” includes a Group 4 to 6 transition metal and a bridged indenoindolyl ligand. Because the supported complex incorporates comonomers with exceptional efficiency, the process enables the production of ethylene copolymers having high molecular weights (Mw > 100K) and very low densities ( ⁇ 0.910 g/cm 3 ).
• the invention includes new open architecture catalysts that take advantage of bridging through the indolyl nitrogen of the indenoindolyl framework.
• the invention also includes catalysts based on open architecture indeno[1 ,2-b]indolyl complexes. We found that supported and unsupported varieties of these catalysts are exceptionally valuable for making elastomeric polypropylenes and ethylene copolymers.
• ethylene polymerizes with one or more ⁇ - olefins to give a copolymer having very low density.
• Suitable ⁇ -olefins are 1 - butene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, and mixtures thereof. 1-Hexene is particularly preferred.
• Catalyst systems useful for the process comprise an activator and a silica-supported, indenoindolyl Group 4-6 transition metal complex having open architecture. More preferred complexes include a Group 4 transition metal such as titanium or zirconium.
• Indexnoindolyl ligands are generated by deprotonating an indenoindole compound using a potent base.
• indenoindole compound we mean an organic compound that has both indole and indene rings. The five-membered rings from each are fused, i.e., they share two carbon atoms.
• the rings are fused such that the indole nitrogen and the only sp 3 -hybridized carbon on the indenyl ring are "trans" to each other.
• an indeno[1 ,2- b] ring system such as:
• Suitable ring systems also include those in which the indole nitrogen and the sp 3 -hybridized carbon of the indene are beta to each other, i.e., they are on the same side of the molecule.
• the ring atoms can be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more groups such as alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, halogen, silyl, nitro, dialkylamino, diarylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, thioether, or the like. Additional fused rings can be present, as long as an indenoindole moiety is present.
• indenoindole compounds are well known. Suitable methods and compounds are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,232,260 and references cited therein, including the method of Buu-Hoi and Xuong, d. Chem. Soc. (1952) 2225. Suitable procedures also appear in PCT Int. Appls. WO 99/24446 and WO 01/53360.
• Indenoindolyl complexes useful for the process of the invention have open architecture.
• open architecture we mean a complex having a fixed geometry that enables generation of a highly exposed active site when the catalyst is combined with an activator.
• the metal of the complex is pi-bonded to the indenyl Cp ring and is also sigma-bonded through two or more atoms to the indolyl nitrogen or the indenyl methylene carbon.
• many of the bridged indenoindolyl complexes described in the literature have a transition metal that is pi-bonded to the indenyl Cp ring and pi-bonded to another Cp-like group. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.
• the metal is sigma-bonded to a heteroatom, i.e., oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, or sulfur; most preferably, the metal is sigma-bonded to nitrogen.
• the heteroatom is linked to the indenoindolyl group through a bridging group, which is preferably dialkylsilyl, diarylsilyl, methylene, ethylene, isopropylidene, diphenylmethylene, or the like.
• Particularly preferred bridging groups are dimethylsilyl, methylene, ethylene, and isopropylidene.
• the bridging group is covalently bonded to either the indolyl nitrogen atom or the indenyl methylene carbon.
• the organometallic complex usually includes one or more labile anionic ligands such as halides, alkoxys, aryloxys, alkyls, alkaryls, aryls, dialkylaminos, or the like. Particularly preferred are halides, alkyls, and alkaryls (e.g., chloride, methyl, benzyl).
• the indenoindolyl complex has the general structure:
• M is a Group 4-6 transition metal
• G is a linking group
• L is a ligand that is covalently bonded to G and M
• R is alkyl, aryl, or trialkylsilyl
• X is alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, halide, dialkylamino, or siloxy
• n satisfies the valence of M. More preferably, M is a Group 4 transition metal, L is alkylamido, G is dialkylsilyl, and X is halide or alkyl.
• the indenoindolyl complex has the general structure:
• M is a Group 4-6 transition metal
• G is a linking group
• L is a ligand that is covalently bonded to G and M
• X is alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, halide, dialkylamino, or siloxy
• n satisfies the valence of M.
• M is a Group 4 transition metal
• L is alkylamido
• G is dialkylsilyl
• X is halide or alkyl.
• the complexes can be made by any suitable method; those skilled in the art will recognize a variety of acceptable synthetic strategies. See especially PCT Int. Appl. WO 01/53360 for suitable routes.
• the synthesis begins with preparation of the desired indenoindole compound from particular indanone and arylhydrazine precursors.
• the indenoindole is deprotonated and reacted with dichlorodimethylsilane to attach a chlorodimethylsilyl group to the indenyl methylene carbon.
• the process of the invention can also utilize complexes in which bridging to the indenoindolyl group occurs through the indolyl nitrogen atom.
• a convenient route to an N-Si-N bridged complex is shown below:
• the transition metal source conveniently has labile ligands such as halide or dialkylamino groups that can be easily replaced by the indenoindolyl and amido anions of the bridged indenoindolyl ligand.
• labile ligands such as halide or dialkylamino groups that can be easily replaced by the indenoindolyl and amido anions of the bridged indenoindolyl ligand.
• halides e.g., TiCI , ZrCI 4
• alkoxides amides, and the like.
• Catalyst systems useful in the process include, in addition to the indenoindolyl metal complex, an activator.
• the activator helps to ionize the organometallic complex and activate the catalyst.
• Suitable activators are well known in the art. Examples include alumoxanes (methyl alumoxane (MAO), PMAO, ethyl alumoxane, diisobutyl alumoxane), alkylaluminum compounds (triethylaluminum, diethyl aluminum chloride, trimethylaluminum, triisobutyl aluminum), and the like.
• Suitable activators include acid salts that contain non- nucleophilic anions.
• These compounds generally consist of bulky ligands attached to boron or aluminum.
• Examples include lithium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, lithium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)aluminate, anilinium tetrakis(penta-fluorophenyl)borate, and the like.
• Suitable activators also include organoboranes, which include boron and one or more alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl groups.
• Suitable activators include substituted and unsubstituted trialkyl and triarylboranes such as tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane, triphenylborane, tri-n- octylborane, and the like. These and other suitable boron-containing activators are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,153,157, 5,198,401 , and 5,241 ,025. Suitable activators also include aluminoboronates-reaction products of alkyl aluminum compounds and organoboronic acids-as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,414,180 and 5,648,440. Alumoxane activators, such as MAO, are preferred.
• the optimum amount of activator needed relative to the amount of organometallic complex depends on many factors, including the nature of the complex and activator, the desired reaction rate, the kind of polyolefin product, the reaction conditions, and other factors. Generally, however, when the activator is an alumoxane or an alkyl aluminum compound, the amount used will be within the range of about 0.01 to about 5000 moles, preferably from about 10 to about 500 moles, and more preferably from about 10 to about 200 moles, of aluminum per mole of transition metal, M.
• the amount used will be within the range of about 0.01 to about 5000 moles, preferably from about 0.1 to about 500 moles, of activator per mole of M.
• the activator can be combined with the complex and added to the reactor as a mixture, or the components can be added to the reactor separately.
• the process uses a silica-supported catalyst system.
• the silica is preferably treated thermally, chemically, or both prior to use to reduce the concentration of surface hydroxyl groups.
• Thermal treatment consists of heating (or "calcining") the silica in a dry atmosphere at elevated temperature, preferably greater than about 100°C, and more preferably from about 150 to about 600°C, prior to use.
• a variety of different chemical treatments can be used, including reaction with organo-aluminum, -magnesium, -silicon, or -boron compounds. See, for example, the techniques described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,211 ,311.
• the process is preferably a slurry or gas-phase process. These processes are well-suited to the use of supported catalysts. Suitable methods for polymerizing olefins using the catalysts of the invention are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,902,866, 5,637,659, and 5,539,124.
• the polymerizations can be performed over a wide temperature range, such as about -30°C to about 280°C. A more preferred range is from about
• Olefin partial pressures normally range from about 15 psia to about 50,000 psia. More preferred is the range from about 15 psia to about 1000 psia.
• Catalyst concentrations used for the olefin polymerization depend on many factors. Preferably, however, the concentration ranges from about 0.01 micromoles per liter to about 100 micromoles per liter. Polymerization times depend on the type of process, the catalyst concentration, and other factors. Generally, polymerizations are complete within several seconds to several hours.
• the invention includes a catalyst system.
• the catalyst system comprises an activator, as described above, and a bridged indenoindolyl Group 4-6 transition metal complex.
• the complex has an open architecture in which bridging to the indenoindolyl group occurs through the indolyl nitrogen.
• the complexes are produced as described earlier.
• the indenoindolyl complex has the general structure:
• M is a Group 4-6 transition metal
• G is a linking group
• L is a ligand that is covalently bonded to G and M
• X is alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, halide, dialkylamino, or siloxy
• n satisfies the valence of M.
• M is a Group 4-6 transition metal
• G is a linking group
• L is a ligand that is covalently bonded to G and M
• X is alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, halide, dialkylamino, or siloxy
• n satisfies the valence of M.
• M is a Group 4-6 transition metal
• G is a linking group
• L is a ligand that is covalently bonded to G and M
• X is alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, halide, dialkylamino, or sil
• the invention enables the preparation of ethylene copolymers having very low densities.
• the copolymers can have densities less than about 0.930 g/cm 3 .
• An advantage of the invention is the ability to depress densities to much lower values, i.e., less than 0.910 g/cm 3 , and even less than 0.890 g/cm 3 .
• Table 1 achieving very low densities is difficult for indenoindolyl metal catalysts that lack an open architecture (see Comparative Examples 2 and 3). We found that an open " architecture catalyst incorporates comonomers more efficiently (see Example 1).
• the catalyst system and process of the invention can be used to produce ethylene polymers having high molecular weights.
• very low density polyolefins having weight average molecular weights (Mw) greater than 400,000, or even greater than 1 ,000,000, can be easily produced (see Example 4).
• hydrogen or other chain-transfer agents can be introduced into the reactor to regulate polymer molecular weight.
• Polyolefins produced by the process of the invention usually have narrow molecular weight distributions, preferably less than about 3.5, more preferably less than about 3.0. When a comonomer is included, a high level of short-chain branching is evident by FT-IR analysis. When the goal is to make polyolefins with very low density, the copolymers have more then about 20, preferably more than about 30, branches per 1000 carbons.
• the invention is a catalyst system useful for making elastomeric polypropylene and ethylene copolymers.
• the catalyst system comprises an activator and a bridged indeno[1 ,2-b]indolyl Group 4-6 transition metal complex having open architecture.
• [1 ,2-b] complexes are much more active than their counterpart [2, 1-b] complexes in both propylene polymerizations and ethylene copolymerizations.
• the complex includes a ' bridged indeno[1 ,2-b]indolyl ligand and a Group 4-6, preferably a Group 4, transition metal.
• Suitable indeno[1 ,2-b]indolyl complexes have already been described.
• the indeno[1 ,2-b]indolyl ligands are conveniently prepared by reacting arylhydrazines and 1-indanones.
• Preferred indeno[1 ,2-b]indolyl complexes have the structure:
• M is a Group 4-6 transition metal
• G is a linking group
• L is a ligand that is covalently bonded to G and M
• R is alkyl, aryl, or trialkylsilyl
• X is alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, halide, dialkylamino, or siloxy
• n satisfies the valence of M. More preferably, M is a Group 4 transition metal, L is alkylamido, G is dialkylsilyl, and X is halide or alkyl.
• Example 20 A similar activity advantage in propylene polymerizations is seen with supported indeno[1 ,2-b]indolyl complexes (see Example 20 and Comparative Example 21). Similar results are achieved in copolymerizations of ethylene with alpha- olefins. As shown in Example 18 and Comparative Example 19, supported indeno[1,2-b]indolyl complexes with open architecture have three times the activity of their [2,1-b] counterparts in copolymerizations of ethylene and 1- hexene.
• the following examples merely illustrate the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize many variations that are within the spirit of the invention and scope of the claims.
• the mixture is then cooled and filtered over a pad of Celite.
• the filtrate is dried over Na 2 SO 4 filtered, and is then concentrated to 450 mL and cooled to -30 °C for 3 days.
• the crystalline solid is filtered and washed with chilled (-78°C) hexanes (2 x 500 mL).
• the beige solid is collected and dried under vacuum (47.1 g, 56%).
• the mixture is maintained at room temperature for 2 days and is filtered to give a dirty yellow solid.
• the solid is washed with toluene (50 mL) and hexanes (50 mL).
• the yellow powder is collected and dried under vacuum (3.72 g, 53%).
• a one-liter, stainless-steel reactor is charged with 1-hexene (35 mL).
• Triisobutylaluminum (1.0 mL of 1.0 M solution in heptane, 1.0 mmol) and Armostat 710 fatty amine (1 mg, product of Akzo Nobel) in heptane solution
• a one-liter, stainless-steel reactor is charged with 1-hexene (35 mL). Triisobutylaluminum (0.20 mL of 1.0 M solution in heptane, 0.20 mmol) is flushed into the reactor from one sidearm of the injector with isobutane (450 mL) and nitrogen pressure. The reactor is then pressurized with ethylene to 320 psig. The reactor contents are allowed to equilibrate at 80°C. The supported catalyst (34 mg of silica-supported complex A) is loaded into the other injector arm and then flushed into the reactor with isobutane (100 mL) and nitrogen pressure. The polymerization proceeds for 0.5 h. The reactor is vented and the olefin polymer is collected and dried under vacuum at 60°C prior to testing.
• Example 4 demonstrates the use of an open architecture indenoindolyl catalyst in a process of the invention for making ethylene copolymers. As shown in Table 1 , the copolymers have very low densities, high molecular weight (even though hydrogen was present in the reactor), and narrow molecular weight distributions (2.8-3.0).
• Example 5 demonstrates the use of a borate-activated, open architecture indenoindolyl catalyst in a process of the invention for making ethylene copolymers with very low densities and high molecular weight.
• Ethylene is copolymerized with 1 -hexene using an 8-cell Endeavor apparatus. Each cell is charged with a toluene solution containing 9.8 x 10 "5 mmoles of the open-architecture Ti complex from Example 6, MAO activator (1000 equivalents) and varying amounts of 1-hexene comonomer. The apparatus is pressurized with ethylene (200 psig) and polymerizations proceed for 30 minutes. The gas is vented and polymer is collected from each of the cells. Activities are listed in Table 2.
• Example 8 The procedure of Example 8 is generally followed except that lithium 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutylamide is used in place of lithium t-butylamide to yield open architecture indeno[1,2-b]indolyl complex 11.
• Polymerization begins upon adding 1.0 mL of the solution of complex and activator and by flushing with 50 mL of isobutane. After 60 minutes of polymerization at 50°C, the reactor is vented to remove the remaining propylene and isobutane. The polymer is removed from the reactor, soaked overnight in 1
• the polypropylene is molded into ASTM type I tensile bars and the properties are measured.
• Tensile strength at break 4.86 MPa; elongation at break: 550%).
• Tensile set at 200%: 8% (measured by extending the sample to 200% of the original length and holding the sample for ten minutes, followed by releasing the sample and then measuring the set after another ten minutes. A set of 0% indicates complete return to the original length while 100%) would indicate no return from the elongated position).
• Stress recovery 31%. (This is the decrease in sample stress at 200% elongation after ten minutes.)
• Examples 12, 14 and 15 show that polymerizations performed with open architecture indeno[1 ,2-b]indolyl complexes give about a tenfold improvement in activity versus the polymerizations in Comparative Examples 16 and 17 performed with the open architecture indeno[2,1-b]indolyl complexes.
• the polypropylene has high molecular weight and low polydispersity.
• the tacticity data shows that the polymers are neither highly isotactic nor highly syndiotactic. This level of tacticity is indicative of elastomeric polypropylene.
• Preparation of Silica-Supported Complexes 4 and 12 Grace Davison 955 silica is calcined at 250°C for 12 h.
• a 30 wt.% solution of methylalumoxane (MAO) in toluene (0.8 mL) is slowly added to a sample (1.0 g) of the calcined silica at room temperature with efficient stirring. After the MAO addition is complete, stirring continues for 0.5 h. Volatiles are removed under vacuum (about 28.5 inches Hg, 1 hour) at room temperature. Yield: 1.30 g of MAO-treated silica.
• MAO methylalumoxane
• Supported Complex 12 All procedures are repeated, except that supported complex 12 is used.
• Example 18 and Comparative Example 19 demonstrate the advantage of selecting a supported, open architecture, indeno[1,2-b]indolyl complex for making ethylene copolymers.
• Example 20 The polymerization of Example 20 is repeated, except that supported complex 12 is used.
• Activity 79 kg polypropylene per g titanium per hour.
• Example 20 and Comparative Example 21 demonstrate the advantage of selecting a supported, open architecture, indeno[1 ,2-b]indolyl complex for making polypropylene.

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• 2003
  • 2003-07-10 CN CNB038185245A patent/CN100429240C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2003-07-10 KR KR1020057001862A patent/KR20050034728A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
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  • 2003-07-10 MX MXPA05001075A patent/MXPA05001075A/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2003-07-10 BR BR0313308-7A patent/BR0313308A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2003-07-10 WO PCT/US2003/021540 patent/WO2004013194A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2003-07-10 CA CA2494611A patent/CA2494611C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2003-07-10 AU AU2003248919A patent/AU2003248919A1/en not_active Abandoned

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