Propylene copolymers obtained using transition metal bis(phenolate) catalyst complexes and homogeneous process for production thereof

A polymerization process comprising contacting, in a homogeneous phase, at least one C3-C40 alpha olefin and ethylene with a catalyst system comprising activator and catalyst compound represented by Formula (I):

• wherein:
• M is a group 3, 4, 5, or 6 transition metal or a lanthanide;
• E and E′ are each independently O, S, or NR9 where R9 is independently hydrogen, a C1-C40 hydrocarbyl, a C1-C40 substituted hydrocarbyl or a heteroatom-containing group;
• Q is group 14, 15, or 16 atom that forms a dative bond to metal M;
• A1QA1′ are part of a heterocyclic Lewis base containing 4 to 40 non-hydrogen atoms that links A2 to A2′ via a 3-atom bridge with Q being the central atom of the 3-atom bridge, A1 and A1′ are independently C, N, or C(R22), where R22 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C20 hydrocarbyl, C1-C20 substituted hydrocarbyl;
• is a divalent group containing 2 to 40 non-hydrogen atoms that links A1 to the E-bonded aryl group via a 2-atom bridge;
• is a divalent group containing 2 to 40 non-hydrogen atoms that links A1′ to the E′-bonded aryl group via a 2-atom bridge;
• L is a Lewis base;
• X is an anionic ligand;
• n is 1, 2 or 3;
• m is 0, 1, or 2;
• n+m is not greater than 4;
• each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R1′, R2′, R3′, and R4′ is independently hydrogen, a C1-C40 hydrocarbyl, a C1-C40 substituted hydrocarbyl, a heteroatom or a heteroatom-containing group,
• and one or more of R1 and R2, R2 and R3, R3 and R4, R1′ and R2′, R2′ and R3′, R3′ and R4′ may be joined to form one or more substituted hydrocarbyl rings, unsubstituted hydrocarbyl rings, substituted heterocyclic rings, or unsubstituted heterocyclic rings each having 5, 6, 7, or 8 ring atoms, and where substitutions on the ring may join to form additional rings;
• any two L groups may be joined together to form a bidentate Lewis base;
• an X group may be joined to an L group to form a monoanionic bidentate group;
• any two X groups may be joined together to form a dianionic ligand group;
• and
• obtaining a copolymer comprising up to 35 mole % ethylene.