MgCl2/R′nAl(OR)3-n:: An excellent activator/support for transition-metal complexes for olefin polymerization

A new and effective method for the activation. and simultaneously., immobilization of bis(phenoxyimine) early-transition-metal complexes for olefin polymerization (known as F1 catalysts), which makes use Of MgCl2/R'(11)A1(OR)(3-11) as an activator/support, has been developed. Ti-, Zr-, and V-Fl catalysts combined with this MgC1(2)-based compound can form highly active MgCl2-supported single-site catalysts capable of demonstrating superior catalytic properties, compared to the corresponding homogeneous methylaluminoxane- (Tiand Zr-F1 catalysts) or alkylaluminum-activation systems (V-FI catalysts), in terms of their catalytic activity, molecular weight, stereoselectivity, and comonomer incorporation. Additionally, these new catalysts can produce polymers of significant morphology with high efficiency. Notably, the MgC12-based compounds can also effectively activate and immobilize the early-to-late transition-metal complexes that have emerged recently. Thus, the application Of MgC12-based compounds as activators/supports for transition-metal complexes for olefin polymerization provides a conceptually new strategy for the development of methylaluminoxane- and borate-free, high-performance, single-site catalysts capable of controlling polymer morphology.