Multi-dentate late transition metal catalyst complexes and polymerization methods using those complexes

A catalyst composition comprising the reaction product of:

• (a) a metal complex having the formula LMXZn, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ag and Au;
• X is selected from the group consisting of halide, hydride, triflate, acetate, borate, C1 through C12 alkyl, C1 through C12 alkoxy, C3 through C12 cycloalkyl, C3 through C12 cycloalkoxy, aryl, thiolate, nitrate, sulfate, nitrile, hydroxide and any other moiety into which a monomer can insert;
• Z is selected from the group consisting of halide, hydride, triflate, acetate, borate, C1 through C12 alkyl, C1 through C12 alkoxy, C3 through C12 cycloalkyl, C3 through C12 cycloalkoxy, aryl, thiolate, carbon monoxide, nitrate, nitrile, hydroxide, sulfate, olefins, water, any other neutral coordinating ligand and any other moiety into which a monomer can insert;
• n equals 0, 1 or 2;
• and L is a multi-dentate nitrogen-containing ligand;
• and (b) an activating cocatalyst.

A method for polymerizing olefinic monomers, comprising the steps of:

• (a) forming an activated catalyst compound by contacting a metal complex having the formula LMXZn with an activating cocatalyst, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ag and Au;
• X is selected from the group consisting of halide, hydride, triflate, acetate, borate, C1 through C12 alkyl, C1 through C12 alkoxy, C3 through C12 cycloalkyl, C3 through C12 cycloalkoxy, aryl, thiolate, nitrate, sulfate, nitrile, hydroxide and any other moiety into which a monomer can insert;
• Z is selected from the group consisting of halide, hydride, triflate, acetate, borate, C1 through C12 alkyl, C1 through C12 alkoxy, C3 through C12 cycloalkyl, C3 through C12 cycloalkoxy, aryl, thiolate, carbon monoxide, nitrate, nitrile, hydroxide, sulfate, olefins, water, any other neutral coordinating ligand and any other moiety into which a monomer can insert;
• n equals 0, 1 or 2;
• and L is a multi-dentate nitrogen-containing ligand;
• and
• (b) contacting the activated catalyst compound with one or more olefinic monomers selected from the group consisting of:
• (i) aliphatic olefins,
• (ii) olefins having a hydrocarbyl polar functionality, and
• (iii) mixtures of at least one olefin having a hydrocarbyl polar functional group and at least one aliphatic olefin.

A method for polymerizing olefinic monomers, comprising contacting the following compounds in situ:

• (a) a metal compound MXZn, wherein:
• (i) M is selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ag and Au,
• (ii) X is selected from the group consisting of halide, hydride, triflate, acetate, borate, C1 through C12 alkyl, C1 through C12 alkoxy, C3 through C12 cycloalkyl, C3 through C12 cycloalkoxy, aryl, thiolate, nitrate, sulfate, nitrile, hydroxide and any other moiety into which a monomer can insert, and
• (iii) Z is selected from the group consisting of halide, hydride, triflate, acetate, borate, C1 through C12 alkyl, C1 through C12 alkoxy, C3 through C12 cycloalkyl, C3 through C12 cycloalkoxy, aryl, thiolate, carbon monoxide, nitrate, nitrile, hydroxide, sulfate, olefins, water, any other neutral coordinating ligand and any other moiety into which a monomer can insert, wherein n equals 0, 1 or 2;
• (b) a compound L comprising a multi-dentate nitrogen-containing ligand;
• (c) an activating cocatalyst;
• and
• (d) one or more olefinic monomers selected from the group consisting of:
• (i) aliphatic olefins,
• (ii) olefins having a hydrocarbyl polar functionality, and
• (iii) mixtures of at least one olefin having a hydrocarbyl polar functional group and at least one aliphatic olefin.