Silyl-bridged bis-biphenyl-phenoxy catalysts for olefin polymerization

A polymerization process for producing an ethylene-based polymer comprising:

• polymerizing ethylene and at least one additional α-olefin in the presence of a catalyst system, wherein the catalyst system comprises a pro-catalyst defined by the metal ligand complex of formula (I):
• where:
• M is titanium, zirconium, or hafnium, each independently being in a formal oxidation state of +2, +3, or +4;
• and n is an integer of from 0 to 3, and wherein when n is 0, X is absent;
• and
• each X independently is a monodentate ligand that is neutral, monoanionic, or dianionic;
• or two Xs are taken together to form a bidentate ligand that is neutral, monoanionic, or dianionic;
• the metal ligand complex of formula (I) is, overall, neutral;
• each Z independently is O;
• R1-7 and R10-16 are selected from the group consisting of a (C1-C40)hydrocarbyl, (C1-C40)heterohydrocarbyl, —Si(RC)3, halogen atom, hydrogen atom, and combinations thereof;
• R8 and R9 are hydrogen atoms;
• R23 and R24 are —CH2—;
• R17-22 are independently selected from a hydrogen atom and a (C1-C40)hydrocarbyl, wherein the sum of the non-hydrogen atoms for R17-19 is larger than 1, and/or the sum of the non-hydrogen atoms for R20-22 is larger than 1 and optionally two or more groups selected from R17-22 can combine together to form a ring structure, with such ring structures having from 3 to 50 atoms in the ring, excluding any hydrogen atoms;
• at least one of R1 and R16 or both of R1 and R16 radicals selected from formula (II), formula (III), and formula (IV):
• R31-35, R41-44, and R51-59 are independently chosen from a (C1-C40)hydrocarbyl, (C1-C40)heterohydrocarbyl, —Si(RC)3, halogen atom, hydrogen atom, and combinations thereof;
• and
• each RC is independently selected from (C1-C30)hydrocarbyl.