Ethylene Copolymerization with Linear and End-Cyclized Olefins via a Metallocene Catalyst:Polymerization Behavior and Thermal Properties of Copolymers

Olefin solution polymerization can be used to obtain high-performance polyolefin materials that cannot be obtained via other polymerization processes.Polyolefin elastomers(POE)are a typical example.Due to cost,only a few linear a-olefins(e.g.,1-butene,1-hexene,and 1-octene)are used as comonomers in solution polymerization in industry.However,a-olefin comonomers with other structures may have different effects on polymerization in comparison with common linear ones.Moreover,the properties of the corresponding materials may differ significantly.In this work,copolymers of ethylene with linear and endcyclized a-olefins are synthesized using a metallocene catalyst.The copolymerization of ethylene with linear a-olefins results in a higher turn-over frequency(TOF)and lower incorporation than copolymerization with end-cyclized a-olefins,which may indicate that end-cyclized a-olefins have a higher coordination probability and lower insertion rate.In this reaction,the comonomer is distributed randomly in the polymer chain and efficiently destroys crystallization.End-cyclized a-olefins exhibit a much stronger crystallization destructive capacity(CDC)in the copolymer than linear a-olefins,possibly because linear a-olefins act mainly in the radial direction of the main chain of the polymer,while end-cyclized a-olefins act mainly in the axial direction of the main chain.

The effect of polymerization conditions on crystalline of polybutene-1 catalyzed by metallocene catalyst

Polybutene-1 was synthesized stereoselectively with the precursor η(5)-(pentamethyl-cyclopentadienyl) tribenzyloxide titanium (Cp*Ti(OBz)3) and methylaluminoxane (MAO). The effects of polymerization conditions, trimethyl alumina (TMA) content in MAO and temperature on the crystalline and molecular weight of the products, and catalytic activity were investigated. The structural properties of the polybutene-1 were characterized with (13)C NMR and WAXD.

EFFECTS OF AMINO GROUPS AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF ORGANIC MESOPOROUS SILICA SUPPORTED METALLOCENE CATALYSTS ON ETHYLENE POLYMERIZATION

Mesoporous silica （MS）, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane （APTES） modified mesoporous silica （AMS）, bis（3- trimethoxysilylpropyl）amine modified mesoporous silica （BAMS） and APTES modified solid spherical silica （AS） were prepared and used to immobilize metallocene catalysts for ethylene polymerization. Gel permeation chromatography results showed that polyethylenes （PEs） catalyzed by AMS （or BAMS） supported metallocene catalysts at the molar ratios of Al/Zr = 100, 300 and 500 were of bimodal molecular weight distribution （BMWD）; while PEs catalyzed by the above catalysts at the molar ratios of Al/Zr 〉 800 were of monomodal molecular weight distribution （MMWD）. However, MS （or AS） supported metallocene catalysts could only produce PEs with MMWD in spite of the molar ratio of Al/Zr. It was because that AMS （or BAMS） supported catalysts possessed two active sites for ethylene polymerization at low molar ratios of Al/Zr due to the combination effects of mesopore geometrical constraint and amino groups of the supports, which was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. This brings forward a novel and easy method for the synthesis of polyolefin with BMWD.

Coal Tar Derived Metallocene Catalyst for Polymerization of 1-Decene into Low-viscosity Poly-α-Olefin Lubricating Base Oil

The production of poly-α-olefins(PAOs)has attracted attention due to their excellent viscosity-temperature dependence,wear characteristics,oxidative properties,and high thermal stability.In this study,indene extracted during coal tar refining was used as a raw material to synthesize a bis(indenyl)zirconium dichloride metallocene catalyst.A PAO with low viscosity and a high viscosity index was produced via the oligomerization of 1-decene in the presence of both the prepared metallocene and a methylaluminoxane(MAO)co-catalyst.Notably,the effects of different synthesis reaction parameters,such as Al:Zr ratio,amount of catalyst,and reaction temperature,on the conversion ratio and product selectivity were investigated in detail.The produced PAO was thoroughly characterized using Fourier-transform infrared,^(13)C,and^(1)H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies;gas chromatography;and viscosity measurements.At 70℃,the metallocene catalyst created more stable active sites.In addition,the alkylation effect of MAO was noticeable.Interestingly,the obtained catalysis results demonstrated that a high conversion ratio of~93%was achieved at a low reaction temperature of 70℃,with a catalyst dosage of 0.0848 mmol and Al:Zr ratio of 8.48mmol:0.0848mmol.Moreover,under these optimal conditions,the kinematic viscosity of PAO was 4.25 mm2/s at 100℃,and the viscosity index was 139,indicating good viscosity-temperature properties.

MESOPOROUS ACID SOLID AS A CARRIER FOR METALLOCENE CATALYST IN ETHYLENE POLYMERIZATION AND A CATALYST IN CATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF POLYETHYLENE

The possibility of mesoporous acid solid as a carder for metallocene catalyst in ethylene polymerization and catalyst for polyethylene （PE） catalytic degradation was investigated. Here, HMCM-41 and AIMCM-41, and mesoporous silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieves （SAPO1 and SAPO2） were synthesized and used as acid solid. Much more gases were produced during catalytic degradation in PE/acid solid mixtures via in situ polymerization than those via physical mixing. The particle size distribution results exhibited that the particle size of SAPO1 in the PE/SAPOI mixture via in situ polymerization was about 1/14 times of that of the original SAPO1 or SAPO1-supported metallocene catalyst. This work shows a novel technology for chemical recycling of polyolefin.

Effect of Polymerization Temperature on Propylene Polymerization with C_s-symmetric Metallocene Catalyst

A novel highly active C-s-symmetric metallocene catalyst namely: meso-dimethylsilylbis (2,4,6-trimethyl-1 -indenyl)zirconium dichloride is presented. The effect of polymerization temperature (0-70 degrees C) on the catalyst performance for propylene polymerization has been investigated. This catalyst shows very high activity at 50 degrees C which is higher than the activity of the racemic analogue, and the resulted polypropylene is amorphous in nature with isotactic pentad content [mmmm] of 12 %.

The Synthesis of Isotactic Polypropylene with Spherical Morphology via Supported Metallocene Catalyst

Polymerization of propylene was carried out under bulk process at 70 degrees C using the supported metallocene catalyst with four kinds of SiO2 as carrier with triethylaluminum used as cocatalyst. The morphology of the products was studied by SEM. It was found the property of the carriers gave great effect on the fine structure of the products as well as the apperance.

Synthesis, Characterization and Application of A Novel Carbon Bridged Half-metallocene Chromium Catalyst for Methyl Methacrylate Polymerization

A new carbon bridged cyclopentadienyl chromium complex of the type [（C5H4）C（CH3）2 CH2（C5H4N）]CrCl2 was prepared by treatment of CrCl3·（THF）3 in THF solution with the lithium salt of ligand containing cyclopentadienyl and pyridyl groups. The chromium complex was characterized by 1H NMR and elemental analysis（EA）, and the crystal structure was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Activated by Al（i-Bu）3, the chromium complex displayed a very high activity for methyl methacrylate（MMA） polymerization. After 24 hours,more than 95.5% MMA was converted to polymethyl methacrylate（PMMA） with a viscosity average molecular weight（Wη） of 416000 g·mol-1 at 60 ℃ for MMA/ Al（i-Bu）3 /chromium catalyst molar ratio of up to 2000：20：1. Effects of temperature, molar ratios of MMA/catalyst and catalyst/cocatalyst on the polymerization have been studied. The high conversion of MMA and high molecular weight of PMMA with narrow molecular weight distribution is caused by the unique stable active site formed by the new chromium complex and aluminum cocatalyst.

COPOLYMERIZATION OF ETHYLENE AND PROPYLENE WITH (CpCH_2CH_2CH=CH_2)_2MCl_2(M=Zr,Hf)AND Cp_2ZrCl_2 CATALYSTS

(CpCH_2CH_2CH = CH_2)_2MCl_2(M=Zr, Hf)/MAO and Cp_2ZrCl_2/MAO (Cp=cyclopentadienyl; MAO=methylaluminoxane) catalyst systems have been compared for ethylene copolymerization to investigate the influence of theligand and transition metal on the polymerization activity and copolymer properties. For both CH_2CH_2CH=CH_2 substitutedcatalysts the catalytic activity decreased with increasing propene concentration in the feed. The activity of the hafnocenecatalyst was 6～8 times lower than that of the analogous zirconocene catalyst, ^(13)C NMR analysis showed that the copolymerobtained using the unsubstituted catalyst Cp_2ZrCl_2 has greater incorporatien of propene than those produced byCH_2CH_2CH=CH_2 substituted Zr and Hf catalysts. The melting point, crystallinity and the viscosity-average molecularweight of the copolymer decreased with an increase of propenc concentration in the feed. Both CH_2CH_2CH= CH_2 substitutedZr and Hf catalysts exhibit little or no difference in the melting point and crystallinity of the produced copolymers. However,there are significant differences between the two zirconocene catalysts. The copolymer produced by Cp_2ZrCl_2 catalyst havemuch lower T_m and X_c than those obtained with the (CpCH_2CH_2CH=CH_2)_2ZrCl_2 catalyst. The density and molecular weightof the copolymer decreased in the order: (CpCH_2CH_2CH=CH_2)_2HfCl_2>(CpCH_2CH_2CH=CH_2)_2ZrCl_2>Cp_2ZrCl_2. The kineticbehavior of copolymerizaton with Hf catalyst was found to be different from that with Zr catalyst.

A Sterically Hindered Zirconocene Complex (1,2-Ph_2C_5H_3)_2ZrCl_2:Synthesis,Structure and Properties as Olefin Polymerization Catalyst

An unbridged zirconocene complex bis(1,2-diphenylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride [(1,2-Ph2-C5H3)2ZrCl2] 1 has been synthesized and structurally characterized. When activated by MAO, 1 produces ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene with high melting transition temperature, as well as atactic oligopropylene with average molecular weight of ~1150 g mol-1.

Propylene Polymerization Catalyzed by Bis(R_3-indenyl) Zirconium Bichloride/Aluminoxane──Synthesis of Metallocenes and Influence ofSolvent Polarity on Polymerization

Three unbridged metallocenes, bis(2,4,7-Me3-indenyl)zirconium dichloride(1) , bis(2-Me-4, 7-Et2-indenyl)zirconium dichloride (2) and bis (2, 4, 6-Me3-indenyl) zirconium dichloride (3) were synthesized. The effect of solvent polarity on propylene polymerization catalyzed by the metallocenes in the presence of methylaluminoxane(MAO) and triisobutylaluminum(TIBA) was investigated in the toluene/CH2Cl2 mixed solvent. Changing the solvent polarity was found to influence the catalytic activity, polymer molecular weight and stereospecificity of the catalysts. The changes in the position of the substituents on the ligand caused the different responses of the catalyst to the changes in solvent polarity. The isotactic stereosequence of polypropylene was found to increase with the increase in the polarity of the reaction medium.

Synthesis of Syndiotactic Polystyrene/Atactic Polypropene Block Copolymer in the presnece of Half-sandwich Titanocene Catalysts

Some highly active η~5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyltribenzyloxy titanium complexes [Cp Ti(OBz)_3] activated by modified methylaluminoxane (mMAO) were prepared and used as the catalyst for styrene syndiospecific polymerization and propene atactic polymerization. Styrene could be copolymerized with propene when the propene was prepolymerized for a period, to which styrene and tri-isobutylaluminum (TIBA) were then added. The titled block copolymer together with the related homopolymers was obtained. The copolymerization porducts can be divided into the homopolymers and the copolymer by successive solvent extraction with boiling butanone, heptane and tetrahydrofuran (THF), and each fraction was characterized by ~13C NMR, DSC and WAXD. It was found that aPS and aPP were soluble in boiling butanone and heptane respectively. The block copolymer (sPS-b-aPP) composed of syndiottactic polystyrene segment was soluble in boiling THF and the residue was chiefly sPS.

PE/CaCO_3-nanocomposites synthesized by in-situ polymerization

Polyethylene-nanocomposites with CaCO3-weight fractions from 0 to 15 wt.% were prepared by in-situ polymerization with Me2Si（Ind）2ZrC12/MAO metallocene catalysts. A high activity especially in the presence of TIBA was observed. The morphology was investigated by using raster electron microscopy （REM） showing that the CaCO3-nanoparticles are uniformly distributed. The melting temperatures and the crystallization temperatures are not much influenced by increasing filler content.

Effects of Al(i-Bu)_3 on Propylene Polymerization and Copolymerization by rac-Me_2Si(Ind)_2ZrCl_2/MAO

The effects of adding Al(i-C_4H_9)_3 (TBA) to rac-Me2Si(Ind)2ZrCl2/ MAO catalyzed propylene-1-octene copolymerization were studied. At TBA /MAO (Al/AI mole ratio) of about 0.6, the polymerization activity was found to be much higher than the system without TBA. Increases of polymer molecular weight and 1-octene content from addition of TBA were also observed.

Ethylene-Propene Copolymerization with C1-symmetric ansa-Fluorenyl-zirconocene Catalysts: Effects of Catalyst Structure and Comonomer on Molar Mass

Ethylene-propene copolymers have been synthesized by three C1-symmetric metallocene molecules(1,2,and 3),having tert-butyl substituents on the Cp moiety,on the fluorenyl moiety,or on both moieties,and methylaluminoxane(MAO)at different polymerization temperatures and monomer concentrations.Copolymers were investigated by 13 C-NMR,1 H-NMR,and SEC analyses.A relationship was found between[EEE]/[E]ratios and copolymer molar masses in each series:the higher the[EEE]/[E]ratio,the lower the copolymer molar mass.At parity of[EEE]/[E]ratio,copolymer molar mass follows the order 1>>3>2.Chain end group analysis reveals that copolymers mainly terminate when propene is the last inserted unit,confirming that it is the greater facility of Mt-P-E-poly(E-co-P)to terminate that influences the copolymer molar mass.Among the catalysts considered,catalyst 1,which gives syndiospecific polypropene,gives greater activities,comonomer incorporation,and molar masses.Catalyst 3,which gives isospecific polypropene,in copolymerization performs better than 2,having the same bridge,with respect to activities,ethylene content,and molar masses.The good performance of this catalyst arises from the not necessity of polymer chain to back skip when ethylene is the last inserted unit.

New Half-sandwich Zirconium(Ⅳ) Complexes Containing Salicylaldimine Ligands： Synthesis, Characterizations and Catalytic Properties

Two new half-sandwich zirconium（IV） complexes bearing salicylaldimine ligands of the type Cp＊Zr[2-tBu-4-R-6-（CH=NiPr）C6H2O]C12[R=H（1）, tBu（2）] were prepared by the reaction of Cp＊ZrC13 with the corresponding lithium of salicylaldimine ligands 2-tBu-4-R-6-（CH=NiPr）C6H2OLi[R=H（LiLa）, tBu（LiLb）]. Com- plexes 1 and 2 were characterized by 1H NMR, BC NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. When activated with AliBu3 and Ph3CB（C6F5）4, both complexes 1 and 2 exhibited reasonable catalytic activities for ethylene polymeriza- tion, producing polyethylenes with moderate molecular weight. Complexes 1 and 2 also exhibited reasonable catalyt- ic activities for ethylene copolymerization with 1-hexene, producing poly（ethylene-co-l-hexene）s with moderate molecular weight and reasonable 1-hexene content.