A catalyst for olefin polymerization containing at least one metal complex comprising at least one —SF.sub.5 group attached to a ligand bound to the metal. The invention further relates to catalyst, a process for making polyolefins and dispersions of UHMWPE.

A catalyst for olefin polymerization containing at least one metal complex comprising at least one —SF.sub.5 group attached to a ligand bound to the metal. The invention further relates to catalyst, a process for making polyolefins and dispersions of UHMWPE.

Embodiments of the present disclosure directed towards converting a unimodal ligand-metal precatalyst into a bimodal ligand-metal catalyst. As an example, the present disclosure provides a method of chemically converting a unimodal ligand-metal precatalyst into a bimodal ligand-metal catalyst by combining in any order constituents consisting essentially of a first unimodal ligand-metal precatalyst, an effective amount of an activator, and an effective amount of a modality-increasing organic compound under conditions effective for the activator and the modality-increasing organic compound chemically converting the first unimodal ligand-metal precatalyst into a bimodal ligand-metal catalyst, thereby making the bimodal ligand-metal catalyst, where the modality-increasing organic compound is of formula (A.sup.1), (B.sup.1), or (C.sup.1), as detailed herein.

Embodiments of the present disclosure directed towards converting a unimodal ligand-metal precatalyst into a bimodal ligand-metal catalyst. As an example, the present disclosure provides a method of chemically converting a unimodal ligand-metal precatalyst into a bimodal ligand-metal catalyst by combining in any order constituents consisting essentially of a first unimodal ligand-metal precatalyst, an effective amount of an activator, and an effective amount of a modality-increasing organic compound under conditions effective for the activator and the modality-increasing organic compound chemically converting the first unimodal ligand-metal precatalyst into a bimodal ligand-metal catalyst, thereby making the bimodal ligand-metal catalyst, where the modality-increasing organic compound is of formula (A.sup.1), (B.sup.1), or (C.sup.1), as detailed herein.

The present disclosure provides a catalyst system comprising the product of a catalyst compound capable of making crystalline material (such as isotactic PP) and a second catalyst compound capable of making non-diene-containing-amorphous material and diene-containing-elastomeric material. The catalyst system of the present disclosure may further comprise a support material (or product thereof) having one or more of: a surface area of from 400 m.sup.2/g to 800 m.sup.2/g; an average pore diameter of 90 Angstroms or greater; an average particle size of 60 μm or greater; 40% or greater of the incremental pore volume comprising pores having a pore diameter larger than 100 Angstroms or greater; and sub-particles having an average particle size in the range of 0.01 μm to 5 μm. In another embodiment, a propylene polymer composition includes: isotactic polypropylene; 5 wt % or greater of atactic polypropylene, based on the weight of the composition; and an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer. The present disclosure further provides methods for forming propylene polymer compositions.

The present disclosure provides a catalyst system comprising the product of a catalyst compound capable of making crystalline material (such as isotactic PP) and a second catalyst compound capable of making non-diene-containing-amorphous material and diene-containing-elastomeric material. The catalyst system of the present disclosure may further comprise a support material (or product thereof) having one or more of: a surface area of from 400 m.sup.2/g to 800 m.sup.2/g; an average pore diameter of 90 Angstroms or greater; an average particle size of 60 μm or greater; 40% or greater of the incremental pore volume comprising pores having a pore diameter larger than 100 Angstroms or greater; and sub-particles having an average particle size in the range of 0.01 μm to 5 μm. In another embodiment, a propylene polymer composition includes: isotactic polypropylene; 5 wt % or greater of atactic polypropylene, based on the weight of the composition; and an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer. The present disclosure further provides methods for forming propylene polymer compositions.

The copolymerization of ethylene with a cyclic mono olefin (such as norbornene) is conducted in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a bridged hafnocene catalyst and a three part activator. The catalyst system provides excellent activity at high polymerization temperatures. Copolymers produced according to this invention have unique microstructure (with methyl branching being observed) and unique rheology.

The copolymerization of ethylene with a cyclic mono olefin (such as norbornene) is conducted in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a bridged hafnocene catalyst and a three part activator. The catalyst system provides excellent activity at high polymerization temperatures. Copolymers produced according to this invention have unique microstructure (with methyl branching being observed) and unique rheology.

A bimodal polymer composition comprising a lower molecular weight homopolymer and a higher molecular weight copolymer wherein the bimodal polymer composition has a density of from about 0.930 gram per cubic centimeter (g/cc) to about 0.970 g/cc, a ratio of high load melt index:melt index of from about 10 to about 150 and an Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR) of from about 25 hours to about 300 hours when measured in accordance with ASTM D1693 or ASTM D2561. A chromium-catalyzed polymer composition comprising (i) a lower molecular weight homopolymer and (ii) a higher molecular weight copolymer, wherein the bimodal polymer composition has an Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR) of from about 25 hours to about 300 hours when measured in accordance with ASTM D1693 or ASTM D2561.

A bimodal polymer composition comprising a lower molecular weight homopolymer and a higher molecular weight copolymer wherein the bimodal polymer composition has a density of from about 0.930 gram per cubic centimeter (g/cc) to about 0.970 g/cc, a ratio of high load melt index:melt index of from about 10 to about 150 and an Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR) of from about 25 hours to about 300 hours when measured in accordance with ASTM D1693 or ASTM D2561. A chromium-catalyzed polymer composition comprising (i) a lower molecular weight homopolymer and (ii) a higher molecular weight copolymer, wherein the bimodal polymer composition has an Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR) of from about 25 hours to about 300 hours when measured in accordance with ASTM D1693 or ASTM D2561.