An object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of producing a nonpolar olefin polymer (e.g., a copolymer of a nonpolar olefin and a polar olefin). The present invention provides a method of producing a polar olefin polymer or copolymer, the method including the polymerization step of polymerizing a polar olefin monomer using, as a catalyst, a polymerization catalyst composition containing: 1) a metallocene complex represented by Formula (I), which contains a central metal M that is scandium (Sc) or yttrium (Y), a ligand Cp* containing a cyclopentadienyl derivative and being bound to the central metal, monoanionic ligands Q.sup.1 and Q.sup.2, and W neutral Lewis bases L wherein W is an integer of 0 to 3; and 2) an ionic compound composed of a non-coordinating anion and a cation. ##STR00001## ##STR00002##

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of producing a nonpolar olefin polymer (e.g., a copolymer of a nonpolar olefin and a polar olefin). The present invention provides a method of producing a polar olefin polymer or copolymer, the method including the polymerization step of polymerizing a polar olefin monomer using, as a catalyst, a polymerization catalyst composition containing: 1) a metallocene complex represented by Formula (I), which contains a central metal M that is scandium (Sc) or yttrium (Y), a ligand Cp* containing a cyclopentadienyl derivative and being bound to the central metal, monoanionic ligands Q.sup.1 and Q.sup.2, and W neutral Lewis bases L wherein W is an integer of 0 to 3; and 2) an ionic compound composed of a non-coordinating anion and a cation. ##STR00001## ##STR00002##

Disclosed is a functionalizing method for the end functionalisation of trans-1,4 stereo-regular polydiene chains obtained by the coordination catalytic polymerisation of at least one conjugated diene monomer. It also relates to a polydiene having a trans-1,4 chain formation rate of at least 85%, preferably at least 90%, and an end functionalisation rate higher than 70%, preferably higher than 80%, and more preferably higher than 90%.

Described are lanthanide-containing metal coordination complexes which may be used as precursors in thin film depositions, e.g. atomic layer deposition processes. More specifically, described are homoleptic lanthanide-aminoalkoxide metal coordination complexes, lanthanide-carbohydrazide metal coordination complexes, and lanthanide-diazadiene metal coordination complexes. Additionally, methods for depositing lanthanide-containing films through an atomic layer deposition process are described.

It has been unexpectedly found that certain neodymium catalyst systems can be used to copolymerize isoprene and 1,3-butadiene to produce random isoprene-butadiene copolymer rubbers which are not tapered. These random isoprene-butadiene copolymer rubbers have properties which are beneficial for use in rubber formulations for manufacturing a wide variety of rubber products, such as tires, hoses, conveyor belts, power transmission belts, and shoe soles. These random isoprene-butadiene rubbers are synthesized by copolymerizing (a) isoprene monomer or a substituted isoprene monomer and (b) 1,3-butadiene monomer in the presence of a neodymium catalyst system, wherein the neodymium catalyst system is prepared by (1) reacting a neodymium carboxylate with an organoaluminum compound in the presence of a conjugated diolefin monomer to produce neodymium-aluminum catalyst component, and (2) subsequently reacting the neodymium-aluminum catalyst component with an alkyl aluminum chloride to produce the neodymium catalyst system.

The present invention relates to a novel process for preparing high-reactivity isobutene homo- or copolymers with a content of terminal vinylidene double bonds per polyisobutene chain end of at least 80 mol %. The present invention further relates to novel isobutene polymers.

The present invention relates to a novel process for preparing high-reactivity isobutene homo- or copolymers with a content of terminal vinylidene double bonds per polyisobutene chain end of at least 80 mol %. The present invention further relates to novel isobutene polymers.

A method for preparing a polymer, the method comprising polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a lanthanide-based catalyst system including (i) a lanthanide-containing compound, (ii) triethyl aluminum, (iii) an aluminum hydride, and (iv) a halogen-containing compound; or a method for preparing a polymer, the method comprising polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a lanthanide-based catalyst system including (i) a nickel-containing compound, (ii) triethyl aluminum, (iii) an aluminum hydride, and (iv) a halogen-containing compound selected from fluorine-containing compounds and chlorine-containing compounds.

The object of the invention is to provide a novel olefin-based molded product useful for various applications.

An olefin-based molded product comprising a polymer including a structural unit of at least one polar olefin monomer represented by the general formula (I) CH2=CH—R.sup.2—Z(R.sup.1)n is provided. In the formula, Z is a hetero atom selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, and selenium; R.sup.1 is a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; n is an integer of 1 or 2 depending on the atomic species of Z; and R.sup.2 is a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbylene group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms.

The object of the invention is to provide a novel olefin-based molded product useful for various applications.

An olefin-based molded product comprising a polymer including a structural unit of at least one polar olefin monomer represented by the general formula (I) CH2=CH—R.sup.2—Z(R.sup.1)n is provided. In the formula, Z is a hetero atom selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, and selenium; R.sup.1 is a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; n is an integer of 1 or 2 depending on the atomic species of Z; and R.sup.2 is a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbylene group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms.