Supported group 8-10 transition metal olefin polymerization catalysts

Abstract

Methods for preparing olefin polymers, and catalysts for preparing olefin polymers are disclosed. The polymers can be prepared by contacting the corresponding monomers with a Group 8-10 transition metal catalyst and a solid support. The polymers are suitable for processing in conventional extrusion processes, and can be formed into high barrier sheets or films, or low molecular weight resins for use in synthetic waxes in wax coatings or as emulsions.

1 - 47 . (canceled)  
     
     
         48 . A compound of formula VI:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein 
 R 1  and R 6  each, independently, represent a sterically hindered aryl; and  
 R 2  and R 3  each, independently, represent a hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, or silyl, and, in addition, may collectively form a bridging hydrocarbyl, bridging substituted hydrocarbyl, or a substituted silicon atom.  
 
     
     
         49 . A compound of formula IX  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein 
 R 1  and R 6  each, independently, represent a sterically hindered aryl; and  
 R 2  and R 3  each, independently, represent a hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, or silyl, and, in addition, may collectively form a bridging hydrocarbyl, bridging substituted hydrocarbyl, or a substituted silicon atom.  
 
     
     
         50 . A compound of formula XVII  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein 
 R 1  and R 6  each, independently, represent a sterically hindered aryl; and  
 R 2 , R 3 , and R 4  each, independently, represent a hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, or silyl, and, in addition, any two of R 2 , R 3 , and R 4  may collectively form a bridging group.  
 
     
     
         51 . A compound of formula XVIII:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein 
 R 1  and R 6  each, independently, represent a sterically hindered aryl; and  
 R 2  and R 5  each, independently, represent a hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, or silyl.  
 
     
     
         52 . A composition comprising an ethylene homopolymer with greater than 125 alkyl branches per 1000 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         53 . A polyethylene composition comprising a blend of polyethylene polymers, wherein said blend has an average degree of branching of from 5 to 120 alkyl branches per 1000 carbon atoms, wherein any individual component of said blend has a degree of branching of from 0 to 150 alkyl branches per 1000 carbon atoms, wherein said polymers are prepared in one reaction vessel, solely from ethylene, and wherein said polymers are prepared utilizing a Group 8-10 transition metal catalyst supported on a solid support which has been pre-treated with a compound Y selected from the group consisting of methylaluminoxane and other aluminum sesquioxides having the formulas R 7   3 Al, R 7   2 AlCl, and R 7 AlCl 2  ,wherein R 7  is alkyl.  
     
     
         54 . The composition of  claim 53 , wherein the transition metal catalyst is a Ni catalyst.  
     
     
         55 . The composition of  claim 54 , wherein the compound Y is methylaluminoxane.  
     
     
         56 . A polyethylene composition comprising a blend of polyethylene polymers, wherein said blend has an average degree of branching of from 5 to 120 alkyl branches per 1000 carbon atoms, wherein any individual component of said blend has a degree of branching of from 0 to 150 alkyl branches per 1000 carbon atoms, wherein said polymers are prepared in one reaction vessel, solely from ethylene, and wherein said polymers are prepared utilizing a Group 8-10 transition metal catalyst which has been reacted with a solid support and a compound Y, in any order, wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of methylaluminoxane and other aluminum sesquioxides having the formulas R 7   3 Al, R 7   2 AlCl, and R 7 AlCl 2  wherein R 7  is alkyl.  
     
     
         57 . The composition of  claim 56 , wherein the transition metal catalyst is a Ni catalyst.  
     
     
         58 . The composition of  claim 57 , wherein the compound Y is methylaluminoxane.  
     
     
         59 . A polymer derived from essentially ethylene alone that has greater than 30 branches per 1000 carbon atoms and a melt transition (endothermic maximum) in the DSC of greater than about 110° C.  
     
     
         60 . The polymer of  claim 59 , which is a free flowing polymer.  
     
     
         61 . A polymer derived from ethylene alone that has a broad composition distribution and a molecular weight distribution of less than 6 and greater than 2.5, wherein said polymer has an average degree of branching of from 5 to 120 alkyl branches per 1000 carbon atoms, and wherein any individual component of said polymer has a degree of branching of from 0 to 150 alkyl branches per 1000 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         62 . The polymer of  claim 61 , wherein an individual component of the polymer has between about 40 and 100 branches per 1000 carbon atoms, another component has between about 30 and 90 branches per 1000 carbon atoms, another component has between about 30 and 80 branches per 1000 carbon atoms, another component has between about 20 and 60 branches per 1000 carbon atoms, another component has between about 10 and 50 branches per 1000 carbon atoms, another component has between about 10 and 40 branches per 1000 carbon atoms, another component has between about 5 and 35 branches per 1000 carbon atoms, another component has between about 0 and 25 branches per 1000 carbon atoms, another component has between about 0 and 30 branches per 1000 carbon atoms, another component has between about 0 and 20 branches per 1000 carbon atoms.