This invention relates to transition metal complexes represented by the formula: ##STR00001##
catalyst systems comprising the complexes, and polymerization methods for olefinic monomers using the catalyst systems. In said formula, M is a transition metal; E is NR.sup.2, CR.sup.3R.sup.4, O, S, or SiR.sup.5R.sup.6; Q is optional substitution; p is an integer ranging from 0 to 3; L is an optional neutral ligand; m is an integer ranging from 0 to 3; X is an anionic leaving group; n is 1 or 2, with m+n being 4 or less; J is a linker group contributing two or three atoms that are located within a first chelate ring; R.sup.1 and R.sup.1′ are independently a hydrocarbyl group or a trihydrocarbylsilyl group; R.sup.2 is a hydrocarbyl group; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are independently H, a hydrocarbyl group, or a trihydrocarbylsilyl group; and R.sup.5 and R.sup.5 are independently a hydrocarbyl group.

The present invention relates to a process for producing a propylene polymer, such as a propylene homopolymer, a propylene-ethylene random copolymer or a heterophasic propylene copolymer using a specific class of metallocene complexes in combination with a cocatalyst system comprising a boron containing cocatalyst and an aluminoxane cocatalyst, preferably in a multistage polymerization process including a gas phase polymerization step.

Metallocene complexes represented by the structure below are useful for alpha olefin oligomerization in the presence of an activator to generate polyalphaolefins having a high percentage of vinylidene termination and relatively low Mn values.

##STR00001##

M is a group 4 transition metal. A is a bridging group having one bridging atom extending between a first indenyl ring and a second indenyl ring. Each X is independently an anionic ligand, or two Xs are joined and bound to M to form a metallocycle ring, or two Xs are joined to form a chelating ligand, a diene ligand, or an alkylidene ligand. R.sup.1, R.sup.1′, R.sup.3, R.sup.3′, R.sup.4, R.sup.4′, R.sup.7 and R.sup.7′ are hydrogen. R.sup.5, R.sup.5′, R.sup.6, and R.sup.6′ are independently a C.sub.1-C.sub.10, optionally substituted, hydrocarbyl group, or R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 and/or R.sup.5′ and R.sup.6′ are bonded together to form an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl ring structure.

The present disclosure relates to Lewis base catalysts. Catalysts, catalyst systems, and processes of the present disclosure can provide high temperature ethylene polymerization, propylene polymerization, or copolymerization. In at least one embodiment, the catalyst compounds belong to a family of compounds comprising amido-phenolate-heterocyclic ligands coordinated to group 4 transition metals. The tridendate ligand may include a central neutral hetrocyclic donor group, an anionic phenolate donor, and an anionic amido donor. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a catalyst system comprising an activator and a catalyst of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a polymerization process comprising a) contacting one or more olefin monomers with a catalyst system comprising: i) an activator and ii) a catalyst of the present disclosure.

The present invention relates to a catalyst composition comprising: catalyst component A comprising a bridged metallocene compound with two indenyl groups, each indenyl being substituted with one or more substituents, wherein at least one of the substituent is an aryl or heteroaryl; catalyst component B comprising a bridged metallocene compound with a substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl group and a substituted or unsubstituted fluorenyl group; an optional activator; an optional support; and an optional co-catalyst.

The present invention also relates to a polymerization process using said composition. The invention further relates to olefin polymers at least partially catalyzed by said catalyst composition and articles comprising said olefin polymers.

Embodiments of the present disclosure directed towards polymerization catalysts having improved ethylene enchainment. As an example, the present disclosure provides a polymerization catalyst having improved ethylene enchainment, the polymerization catalyst comprising a zirconocene catalyst of Formula (I) where R.sub.1 is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 alkyl, aryl or aralkyl group, wherein R.sub.2 is an C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 alkyl, aryl or aralkyl group, and where R.sub.3 is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 alkyl or a hydrogen, and where each X is independently a halide, C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 alkyl, aralkyl group or hydrogen. ##STR00001##

The present disclosure provides methods for preparing a catalyst system comprising contacting in an aliphatic solvent at least one support material, at least one hydrocarbyl aluminum compound and at least one non-hydrolytic active oxygen-containing compound to form a supported alumoxane (catalyst system precursor) and contacting the supported alumoxane with at least one catalyst compound having a Group 3 through Group 12 metal atom or lanthanide metal atom. The supported alumoxane may be heated prior to contact with the catalyst compound.

The present disclosure provides methods for preparing a catalyst system comprising contacting in an aliphatic solvent at least one support material, at least one hydrocarbyl aluminum compound and at least one non-hydrolytic active oxygen-containing compound to form a supported alumoxane (catalyst system precursor) and contacting the supported alumoxane with at least one catalyst compound having a Group 3 through Group 12 metal atom or lanthanide metal atom. The supported alumoxane may be heated prior to contact with the catalyst compound.

Catalyst system, the catalyst system comprising (i) at least one metallocene complex of formula (I) wherein Mt1 is Hf, X is a sigma-donor ligand, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 are the same or different from each other and can be hydrogen or a saturated linear or branched C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, whereby the alkyl group can optionally contain up to 2 heteroatoms belonging to groups 14-16 of the periodic table, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 can form a ring having 4 to 6 C-atoms and 1 to 3 double bonds, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are the same or different from each other and can be saturated linear or branched C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, C.sub.5-C.sub.10 aryl, C.sub.6-C.sub.20 alkylaryl or C.sub.6-C.sub.20 arylalkyl groups, which can optionally contain up to 2 heteroatoms belonging to groups 14-16 of the periodic table, n can be 1 to 5, Ar is a C.sub.6-C.sub.20-aryl or -heteroaryl group, which can be unsubstituted or substituted by 1 to 5 linear or branched C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl group(s), and (ii) an aluminoxane cocatalyst and (iii) optionally an aluminium alkyl compound AI(R.sup.7).sub.3, with R.sup.7 being a linear or branched C.sub.2-C.sub.8-alkyl group.

##STR00001##

The present invention relates to a catalyst composition comprising: catalyst component A comprising a bridged metallocene compound with two tetrahydroindenyl groups, each group being unsubstituted or substituted; catalyst component B comprising a bridged metallocene compound with a substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl group and a substituted or unsubstituted fluorenyl group; an optional activator; an optional support; and an optional co-catalyst.

The present invention also relates to a polymerization process using said composition. The invention further relates to olefin polymers at least partially catalyzed by said catalyst composition and articles comprising said olefin polymers.