US 2026/0131320 A1Published application

Hydrocarbyl silyl-substituted ansa-metallocenes and process for preparing low melt elasticity polyolefins

AssigneeFormosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A.

InventorsMichael D. Jensen, Di You, Congzhi Zhu, Daoyong Wang, Ying Hao Lo, Kevin Chung, Zhiming Wang, Tieqi Li, Charles R. Johnson, Baby Batin

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Abstract

Disclosed are ansa-metallocene catalysts for the production of polyethylenes. The subject metallocenes comprise a fluorenyl ligand linked to a substituted cyclopentadienyl or indenyl ligand by a one-atom bridge, wherein the cyclopentadienyl or indenyl ligand includes a silyl substituent of the formula —SiR5R6R7, wherein R5 and R6 are selected independently from a C1-C20 hydrocarbyl, R7 is selected from a C2-C20 hydrocarbyl. The presence of a C2+ hydrocarbyl group on the silyl moiety may provide one or more unexpected features such as high polymerization activities, high comonomer incorporation efficiencies (CIE), low levels of long-chain branching (LCB), and a reverse Short-chain Branching Distribution profile over the molecular weight distribution. Combinations of these properties can provide excellent resin processability, clarity, strength, and other desirable properties, especially for films.

Claims32

Dependent claims

A catalyst composition comprising the contact product of:

(a) a metallocene compound having the formula:
wherein
(i) M is Zr or Hf;
(ii) X1 and X2 are selected independently from a monoanionic ligand, or X1 and X2 together are a dianionic ligand;
(iii) R1 and R2 are selected independently from H or a C1-C20 hydrocarbyl;
(iv) Y is C or Si;
(v)(A) R3 and R4 are selected independently from a C1 to C20 hydrocarbyl, or (B) when Y is C, YR3R4 is a substituted or an unsubstituted C3 to C7 monocyclic hydrocarbylidene moiety, wherein any substituent comprises an independently selected C1 to C15 hydrocarbyl group, C1 to C15 heterohydrocarbyl group, C1 to C15 organoheteryl group, or halide;
(vi) R5 and R6 are selected independently from a C1-C20 hydrocarbyl;
(vii) R7 is selected from a C2-C20 hydrocarbyl, and wherein optionally (A) any two of R5, R6, and R7, along with Si to which they are bonded form a ring having from 2 to 7 carbon atoms, or (B) R5, R6, and Si to which they are bonded form a ring having from 2 to 7 carbon atoms;
and
(viii) R1 and R9 are H2, fused C4H4, or fused C4H8;
wherein each of R5, R6, and R7 is independently a non-alkenyl, a non-alkynyl, or a non-alkadienyl hydrocarbyl;
and
(b) a metallocene activator.

11 more elements

A process for polymerizing olefins comprising contacting at least one olefin monomer comprising ethylene, and a catalyst composition under polymerization conditions to form a polyolefin, wherein the catalyst composition comprises the contact product of:

(a) a metallocene compound having the formula:
wherein
(i) M is Zr or Hf;
(ii) X1 and X2 are selected independently from a monoanionic ligand, or X1 and X2 together are a dianionic ligand;
(iii) R1 and R2 are selected independently from H or a C1-C20 hydrocarbyl;
(iv) Y is C or Si;
(v)(A) R3 and R4 are selected independently from a C1 to C20 hydrocarbyl, or (B) when Y is C, YR3R4 is a substituted or an unsubstituted C3 to C7 monocyclic hydrocarbylidene moiety, wherein any substituent comprises an independently selected C1 to C15 hydrocarbyl group, C1 to C15 heterohydrocarbyl group, C1 to C15 organoheteryl group, or halide;
(vi) R5 and R6 are selected independently from a C1-C20 hydrocarbyl, wherein optionally R5, R6, and Si to which they are bonded form a ring having from 2 to 7 carbon atoms;
(vii) R7 is selected from a C2-C20 hydrocarbyl;
and
(viii) R8 and R9 are H2, fused C4H4, or fused C4H8;
wherein each of R5, R6, and R7 is selected independently from a non-alkenyl, a non-alkynyl, or a non-alkadienyl hydrocarbyl;
and
(b) a metallocene activator.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 19/367,489Filed 23 Oct 2025
Priority: 11 Nov 2024
Published: 14 May 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

B01J 31/1633
Immobilised by covalent linkages, i.e. pendant complexes with optional linking groups: covalent linkages via silicon containing groups
C08F 210/16
Copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond: copolymers of ethene with alpha-alkenes, e.g. EP…
C08F 4/76
Selected from refractory metals: selected from titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium or tantalum
B01J 2231/12
Polymerisation reactions involving at least dual use catalysts, e.g. for both oligomerisation and polymerisation: olefin polymerisation or…