The invention relates to a metallocene complex according to formula I

##STR00001##

wherein M is a metal selected from lanthanides or transition metals from group 3, 4, 5 or 6 of the Periodic System of the Elements, Q is an anionic ligand to M, k is the number of Q groups and equals the valence of M minus 2, R is a bridging group containing at least one carbon atom bonded to the indenyl moiety at 2-position, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are each independently chosen from the group consisting of H, a halogen atom and a C1-C20 hydrocarbylgroup, and wherein at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is not H, and at least one of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is not H.

The invention also relates to a catalyst comprising the metallocene complex, to a process for making polyolefins and to the use of the polyolefins for making articles.

Some embodiments herein disclose a process for producing an ethylene polymer or copolymer which contains less than 5 ppm titanium and has a bulk density, in granular form, of at least 22.5 lbs/ft.sup.3, using a spheroidal Ziegler-Natta type olefin polymerization catalyst having a particle size distribution characterized by a Dm*/Dn of less than 3.0 and comprising a titanium compound, an aluminum compound, and a spheroidal magnesium chloride support.

Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same are described. A method includes selecting a catalyst blend using a blend polydispersity index (bPDI) map. The polydispersity map is generated by generating a number of polymers for at least two catalysts. Each polymer is generated at a different hydrogen to ethylene ratio. At least one catalyst generates a higher molecular weight polymer and another catalyst generates a lower molecular weight polymer. A molecular weight for each polymer is measured. The relationship between the molecular weight of the polymers generated by each of the catalysts and the ratio of hydrogen to ethylene is determined. A family of bPDI curves for polymers that would be made using a number of ratios of a blend of the at least two catalysts for each of a number of ratios of hydrogen to ethylene. A ratio for the catalyst blend of the catalysts that generates a polymer having a bPDI that matches a polymer fabrication process is selected, and the product specific polyolefin is made using the catalyst blend.

A process for the preparation of ethylene polymers comprising polymerizing ethylene, optionally with one or more -olefin comonomers, in the presence of: (i) a solid catalyst component comprising titanium, magnesium, halogen and optionally an internal electron-donor compound, (ii) an aluminum alkyl compound, and (iii) an antistatic compound selected among the hydroxyesters with at least two free hydroxyl groups, wherein the weight ratio of aluminum alkyl compound to solid catalyst component is higher than 0.80 and the weight ratio of antistatic compound to aluminum alkyl compound is higher than 0.10.

Methods for producing catalyst systems with increased productivity are disclosed. The methods may comprise providing a catalyst composition comprising a solvent and a single-site catalyst component, heating an inert gas to a temperature in a range of from about 100? C. to about 150? C., and spray drying the catalyst composition in the presence of the inert gas to form a spray-dried catalyst system. Additionally, the methods may comprise providing a catalyst composition comprising a solvent, an activator, a filler material, a metallocene catalyst, and a Group 15-containing catalyst; heating an inert gas to a temperature in a range of from about 100? C. to about 150? C.; and spray drying the catalyst composition in the presence of the inert gas to form a spray-dried catalyst system.

A bimodal poly(ethylene-co-1-alkene) copolymer comprising a higher molecular weight poly(ethylene-co-1-alkene) copolymer component and a lower molecular weight poly(ethylene-co-1-alkene) copolymer component. The copolymer is characterized by a unique combination of features comprising, or reflected in, its component weight fraction amount, density, high load melt index, molecular weight distributions, viscoelastic properties, environmental stress-cracking resistance, and impact strength. Additional inventive embodiments include a method of making the copolymer, a formulation comprising the copolymer and at least one additive that is different than the copolymer, a method of making a manufactured article from the copolymer or formulation; the manufactured article made thereby, and use of the manufactured article.

Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same. A method of methylating a catalyst composition while substantially normalizing the entiomeric distribution is provided. The method includes slurrying the organometallic compound in dimethoxyethane (DME), and adding a solution of RMgBr in DME, wherein R is a methyl group or a benzyl group, and wherein the RMgBr is greater than about 2.3 equivalents relative to the organometallic compound. After the addition of the RMgBr, the slurry is mixed for at least about four hours. An alkylated organometallic is isolated, wherein the methylated species has a meso/rac ratio that is between about 0.9 and about 1.2.

The present disclosure relates to a novel metallocene supported catalyst, and a method for preparing a polyolefin using the same. The metallocene supported catalyst according to the present disclosure exhibits a high polymerization activity even when the metallocene compound is supported on a support, thereby showing an excellent activity and preparing a polyolefin having a high molecular weight.

Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same. A method of polymerizing olefins to produce a polyolefin polymer with a multimodal composition distribution, includes contacting ethylene and a comonomer with a catalyst system. The catalyst system includes a first catalyst compound and a second catalyst compound that are co-supported to form a commonly supported catalyst system. The first catalyst compound includes a compound with the general formula (C.sub.5H.sub.aR.sup.1.sub.b)(C.sub.5H.sub.cR.sup.2.sub.d)HfX.sub.2. The second catalyst compound includes at least one of the following general formulas:

##STR00001##

In both catalyst systems, the R groups can be independently selected from any number of substituents, including, for example, H, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, or a heteroatom group, among others.

The invention relates to linear low density polyethylene having a density in the range from about 900 kg/m.sup.3 to less than about 940 kg/m.sup.3 as determined using IS01872-2, having a molecular weight distribution (M.sub.w/M.sub.n) in the range from 2.5 to 3.5, having an area under the peak in the temperature range from 20 to 40 C. determined using an analytical temperature rising elution fractionation analysis using 1,2-dichlorobenzene and a heating rate of 1 C./min, wherein the area is in the range from 5 to 20% of the sum of the areas under all peaks determined with the analytical temperature rising elution fractionation analysis.