Linked metallocene complexes, catalyst systems, and olefin polymerization processes using same

A metallocene complex represented by the following formula:

• wherein each M is a metal atom;
• each Q is independently a leaving group;
• n is 0, 1 or 2;
• LA, LB, LC, LD, LE and LF are each aromatic ring systems composed of atoms selected from Groups 13 to 16 of the Periodic Table of Elements;
• A and B are bridging groups each comprising at least one Group 13 to 16 atom;
• and
• each R is a linking group comprising a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group.

A method for preparing a catalyst complex comprising:

• (a) reacting X—R—A—X-Cp1, wherein X is a halogen, each R is a hydrocarbyl group, A is a silicon or a germanium atom and Cp1 represents a first cyclopentadiene or cyclopentadiene-type structure, with a alkali metal containing cyclopentadienide or cyclopentadienide-type structure to form X—R—A-Cp2Cp1, wherein Cp2 represents a second cyclopentadiene or cyclopentadiene-type structure which may be the same or different from Cp1;
• (b) reacting X—R—A-Cp2Cp1 from step a) with a metal amide having the formula M(NR2)4, wherein M is Group 4 metal and R is a alkyl group having form 1 to 6 carbon atoms to form a first metallocene product;
• (c) reacting the first metallocene product form step b) with a third alkali metal cyclopentadienide or a cyclopentadienide-type structure to form H-Cp3-R—A(Cp1)(CP2)M(NR2)2 wherein Cp3 represents a third cyclopentadiene or cyclopentadiene-type structure which may be the same or different from Cp1 or Cp2;
• (d) deprotonating H-Cp3-R—A(Cp1)(Cp2)M(NR2)2 from step c) to form Li-Cp3-R—A(Cp1)(Cp2)M(NR2)2;
• and
• (e) reacting Li-Cp3-R—A(Cp1)(Cp2)M(NR2)2 from step d) with Cp4MCl3 to form Cp4MCl2Cp3-R—A(Cp1)(CP2)M(NR2)2 wherein Cp4 represents a fourth cyclopentadiene or cyclopentadiene-type structure which may be the same or different from Cp1 or Cp2 or Cp3.