Olefin polymerization by pi-arene lanthanide catalysts
AssigneeBASF SE
InventorsPeter J. V. Jones, John A. Segal, Robin Whyman
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Abstract
Olefin polymerisation uses catalysts based in pi-arene complexes of lanthanide metals in particular such catalysts supported on hydrophobic or hydroxylic surfaces particularly of alumina or silica halide surfaces particularly magnesium chloride. Such catalysts will polymerise ethylene and also propylene to give a largely isotactic polymer without using an electron donor to enhance stereo regularity. They also do not require co-catalysts to activate polymeriscation.
Claims11
An olefin polymerisation catalyst consisting essentially of a pi-arene complex of one or more lanthanide metals carried on or reacted onto the surface of a solid support, and wherein the arene is a compound having formula (Ia) ##STR5## wherein R.sub.1 is a hydrocarbyl group;
- R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbyl group;
- and
- R.sub.4 is a hydrogen atom or, when R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are both hydrogen atoms, a hydrocarbyl group, or a compound having formula (Ib) ##STR6## wherein each R.sub.5 is a hydrocarbyl group;
- n is 0, 1 or 2;
- and
- A is a group of one of the formulae:
- ##STR7## wherein R.sub.6 is a hydrocarbyl group;
- m is 0, 1 or 2;
- and
- l is 0 or 1.
An olefin polymerisation catalyst consisting essentially of a pi-arene complex of gadolinium or erbium metal carried on, or reacted onto, the surface of a solid alumina, silica or magnesium chloride support, the arene being 1,3,5-tri-tert. butyl benzene, said catalyst being characterized by its ability of polymerise ethylene or propylene to give a largely isotactic polymer without using an electron donor to enhance stereo regularity and not requiring a co-catalyst to activate polymerisation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.