Development of FI Catalyst Systems and Their Applications to New Polyolefin-Based Materials

The olefin polymerization behavior of bis (phenoxy-imine) group 4 transition metal complexes (named FI Catalysts) is described. In association with methylalumoxane (MAO) or iBu3Al/Ph3CB (C6F5)4, FI Catalysts display unique catalytic performance and have created a variety of polyolefin-based materials. For example, FI Catalysts are capable of producing vinyl-terminated low molecular weight polyethylenes (Mv 10, 000, 000), highly syndiotactic polypropylenes with extremely high peak melting temperatures (Tm > 150°C), various block copolymers from ethylene and propylene and stereo- and regio-irregular high molecular weight poly (1-hexene)s. Many of these polymers were unavailable prior to the development of FI Catalysts. Additionally, studies on new cocatalysts for FI Catalysts have resulted in the discovery of FI Catalyst/MgCl2-based compound systems, which represent the first examples of MAO- and fluoroarylborate-free highly active single-site catalyst systems based on group 4 transition metal complexes.