Polypropylene polymer compositions are disclosed that have excellent stiffness properties. The polypropylene polymer compositions are made by combining a first polypropylene polymer with a second polypropylene polymer. The combination of polymers has been found to produce a composition having high stiffness properties in addition to excellent toughness properties. In addition, the polymer composition has good flow properties for being molded into various products and articles. Of particular advantage, the different polypropylene polymers can be produced at relatively high catalyst activity, especially in comparison to high crystalline polymers made in the past.

Processes of synthesizing long-chain branched polymers. The processes include contacting together one or more C.sub.2-C.sub.14 alkene monomers, at least one diene, optionally a solvent, and a multi-chain catalyst optionally in the presence of hydrogen, wherein the multi-chain catalyst comprises a plurality of polymerization sites; producing at least two polymer chains of the C.sub.2-C.sub.14 alkene monomers, each polymer chain polymerizing at one of the polymerization sites; synthesizing the long-chain branched polymers by connecting the two polymer chains with the diene, the joining of the two polymer chains being performed in a concerted manner during the polymerization; and producing tri-functional long chain branches and tetra-functional long chain branches from the diene, wherein the long-chain branched polymers have a ratio of tri-functional to tetra-functional long chain branches from 0.05:1 to 100:0; and adjusting the ratio of tri-functional and tetra-functional long chain branches. The diene has a structure according to formula (I):

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Polypropylene polymer compositions are disclosed that can be formulated to have excellent clarity properties in conjunction with excellent impact resistance properties at subzero temperatures. The polypropylene polymer compositions are heterophasic compositions containing a first phase polymer combined with a second phase polymer. The first phase polymer is a polypropylene and alpha-olefin copolymer while the second phase polymer is also a polypropylene and alpha-olefin random copolymer. The second phase polymer contains relatively high amounts of ethylene. The increased amounts of ethylene in the second phase polymer were found to dramatically improve impact resistance at subzero temperatures.

Polypropylene polymer compositions are disclosed that can be formulated to have excellent clarity properties in conjunction with excellent impact resistance properties at subzero temperatures. The polypropylene polymer compositions are heterophasic compositions containing a first phase polymer combined with a second phase polymer. The first phase polymer is a polypropylene and alpha-olefin copolymer while the second phase polymer is also a polypropylene and alpha-olefin random copolymer. The second phase polymer contains relatively high amounts of ethylene. The increased amounts of ethylene in the second phase polymer were found to dramatically improve impact resistance at subzero temperatures.

Embodiments include activators having a structure according to formula (I).

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It has become desirable to limit or exclude aromatic solvents, such as toluene, from polymerization reactions. For polymerization reactions employing a non-metallocene transition metal complex as a precursor to a polymerization catalyst, exclusion of aromatic solvents may be difficult due to the limited solubility of such complexes in aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents. Aliphatic hydrocarbon solutions suitable for conducting olefin polymerization reactions, particularly solution polymerization reactions, may comprise: a non-metallocene transition metal complex dissolved in an aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent at a concentration ranging from about 2 mM to about 20 mM at 25° C. in the presence of an organoaluminum compound. A molar ratio of aluminum of the organoaluminum compound to transition metal of the transition metal complex is about 1:1 or greater, and the organoaluminum compound comprises at least about 8 carbons per aluminum.

This invention relates to a supported catalyst system comprising: (i) at least one first catalyst component comprising a group 4 bis(phenolate) complex; (ii) at least one second catalyst component comprising a 2,6-bis(imino)pyridyl iron complex; (iii) activator; and (iv) support. The catalyst system may be used for preparing polyolefins, such a bimodal polyethylene, typically in a gas phase polymerization.

A Ziegler-Natta catalyzed ethylene/alpha-olefins copolymer is provided having sporadic long chain branches and reversed comonomer composition distribution or short chain branching distribution (SCBD) in the high molecular weight fractions. According to the invention, polyethylene film made with the inventive copolymer has a balance of improved physical, optical, mechanical properties as well as processability. In one aspect, the film includes a 1% secant modulus of greater than 25,000 psi, a film haze of less than 10, a film clarity of greater than 90, a dart impart resistance of greater than 500 g/mil, and a MD tear strength of greater than 500 g/mil.

A Ziegler-Natta catalyzed ethylene/alpha-olefins copolymer is provided having sporadic long chain branches and reversed comonomer composition distribution or short chain branching distribution (SCBD) in the high molecular weight fractions. According to the invention, polyethylene film made with the inventive copolymer has a balance of improved physical, optical, mechanical properties as well as processability. In one aspect, the film includes a 1% secant modulus of greater than 25,000 psi, a film haze of less than 10, a film clarity of greater than 90, a dart impart resistance of greater than 500 g/mil, and a MD tear strength of greater than 500 g/mil.

The present disclosure relates to a one-pot process for synthesizing functional compounds or functional polymers by reacting an aldehyde with an alkyl-zinc or polymeryl-zinc composition in the presence of a specific Lewis acid, wherein the reaction is rapid and facile at high temperatures.