EP0764653A2

Constrained geometry addition polymerization catalysts, processes for their preparation, precursors therefor, methods of use, and novel polymers formed therewith

Abstract

Hafnium or zirconium coordination complexes comprise a cyclopentadienyl or substituted cyclopentadienyl group forming part of a ring structure in which the metal is both bonded to an adjacent amidosilane moiety and held in association with the (substituted) cyclopentadienyl moiety. These complexes form addition polymerization catalysts with activating cocatalysts such as Lewis acids, ammonium salts, oxidizing agents and, especially, aluminum compounds, particularly aluminum trialkyls. Novel polymers, including ElPE resins and pseudo-random copolymers, can be obtained using the catalysts.

EP0764653A2, drawing sheet 1
Sheet 1 of 25

Term

Term ended

Projected expiry passed 30 August 2010, 16.1 years ago.

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41 claims: 14 independent, 27 dependent

  1. 1
    A metal coordination complex corresponding to the Formula I:wherein: M is zirconium or hafnium, bound in an η5 bonding mode to the cyclopentadienyl group;R' each occurrence is hydrogen or a moiety selected from silyl, alkyl, aryl, or combinations thereof having up to 10 carbon or silicon atoms;E is silicon;X each occurrence is halo, alkyl, aryl, or alkoxy of up to 10 carbons;m is 1 or 2;andn is 1 or 2 depending on the valence of M.
  2. 5
    A metal coordination complex as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein NR' is tert. butylamide.
  3. 6
    A metal coordination complex as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein NR' is phenylamido.
  4. 11
    1-(Tert-butylamido)-2-(tetramethyl-η5-cyclopentadienyl)-1,1,2,2-tetramethyldisilane zirconium dichloride.
  5. 13
    A metal coordination complex selected from:(tert-butylamido)dimethyl-(tetramethyl-η5-cyclopentadienyl)silane zirconium dibenzyl;(tert-butylamido)dimethyl-(tetramethyl-η5-cyclopentadienyl)silane zirconium dichloride;(tert-butylamido)dimethyl-(tetramethyl-η5-cyclopentadienyl)silane zirconium dimethyl;(tert-butylamido)dimethyl-(η5-cyclopentadienyl)silanezirconium dichloride;(anilido)dimethyl-(tetramethyl-η5-cyclopentadienyl)silane zirconium dichloride;(p-toluidido)dimethyl-(tetramethyl-η5-cyclopentadienyl)silane zirconium dichloride;(benzylamido)dimethyl-(tetramethyl-η5-cyclopentadienyl)silane zirconium dichloride;and(methylamido)dimethyl-(tetramethyl-η5-cyclopentadienyl)silane zirconium dichloride.
  6. 14
    A catalyst useful in addition polymerizations comprising a) a metal coordination complex as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13, andb) an activating cocatalyst.
  7. 18
    A process for preparing a metal coordination complex corresponding to the Formula I as defined in Claim 1 comprising contacting a metal compound of the formula MXn+1 or a coordinated adduct thereof with a dianionic salt compound corresponding to the Formula II or III:(L+x)y(Cp*-(ER'2)m-NR')-2     (II) or         (LX'')+x)y(Cp*-(ER'2)m)-NR'-2     (III) wherein: Cp* is the cyclopentadienyl or substituted cyclopentadienyl group C5R'4 of Formula I;L is a metal of Group 1 or 2 of the Periodic Table of the Elements,x and y are either 1 or 2 and the product of x and y equals 2,X'' is fluoro, bromo, chloro or iodo, andn, E, M, m, R' and X are as defined in Claim 1,    in an inert solvent.
  8. 19
    A process for preparing a metal coordination complex corresponding to the Formula I as defined in Claim 1 comprising (a) contacting a metal compound of the formula MXn+1 or a coordinated adduct thereof with a dianionic salt compound corresponding to the Formula II or III:(L+x)y(Cp*-(ER'2)m-NR')-2     (II) or         (LX'')+x)y(Cp*-ER'2)m-NR')-2     (III) wherein: Cp* is the cyclopentatienyl or substituted cyclopentadienyl group C5R'4 of Formula I;L is a metal of Group 1 or 2 of the Periodic Table of the Elements,x and y are either 1 or 2 and the product of x and y equals 2,X'' is fluoro, bromo, chloro or iodo,n, E, M, m, R' and X are as defined in Claim 1    in an inert solvent, and,(b) contacting the product of (a) with a noninterfering oxidizing agent to raise the oxidation state of the metal.
  9. 24
    An addition polymerization process for preparing a polymer by contacting one or more addition polymerizable monomers with a catalyst under addition polymerization conditions characterized in that the catalyst is as defined in any one of Claims 14 to 17.
  10. 28
    A process for preparing a copolymer of a hindered aliphatic vinylidene monomer and an alpha-olefin wherein the hindered aliphatic vinylidene monomer is contacted with the alpha-olefin under polymerization conditions in the presence of a catalyst comprising a) a metal coordination complex as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 13b) an activating cocatalyst.
  11. 33
    A process as claimed in any one of Claims 24 to 32, wherein the catalyst is formed in situ.
  12. 34
    A copolymer comprising ethylene and an olefin other than ethylene obtainable by a process as defined in Claim 24 and having a melt index between 1.72 and 200 ((I2), ASTM D-1238 Procedure A, condition E) and an elastic modulus of at least 2972 dyne/cm2.
  13. 36
    A pseudo-random polymer comprising an interpolymer of an olefin and a vinylidene aromatic monomer having a Mw greater than 13,000 and a vinylidene aromatic monomer content of at least 1.0 mole percent, obtainable by a process as defined in Claim 24.
  14. 40
    A heterogeneous supported catalyst comprising a metal coordination complex corresponding to the Formula I as defined in Claim 1 and an activating cocatalyst.