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.

The present process embodiments for synthesizing long-chain branched copolymers include contacting together one or more C.sub.2-C.sub.14 alkene monomers, at least one diene or polyene, optionally a solvent, and a multi-chain catalyst. The multi-chain catalyst includes a plurality of polymerization sites and produces 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. The process synthesizes the long-chain branched polymers by connecting the two polymer chains with the diene or polyene, the joining of the two polymer chains being performed in a concerted manner during the polymerization.

The present process embodiments for synthesizing long-chain branched copolymers include contacting together one or more C.sub.2-C.sub.14 alkene monomers, at least one diene or polyene, optionally a solvent, and a multi-chain catalyst. The multi-chain catalyst includes a plurality of polymerization sites and produces 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. The process synthesizes the long-chain branched polymers by connecting the two polymer chains with the diene or polyene, the joining of the two polymer chains being performed in a concerted manner during the polymerization.

Ethylene-based polymers of this disclosure include a melt viscosity ratio (V.sub.0.1/V.sub.100) at 190° C. of at least 10, where V.sub.0.1 is the viscosity of the ethylene-based polymer at 190° C. at a shear rate of 0.1 radians/second, and V.sub.100 is the viscosity of the ethylene-based polymer at 190° C. at a shear rate of 100 radians/second; and a molecular weight tail quantified by an MWD area metric, A.sub.TAIL, and A.sub.TAIL is less than or equal to 0.04 as determined by gel permeation chromatography using a triple detector.

Ethylene-based polymers of this disclosure include a melt viscosity ratio (V.sub.0.1/V.sub.100) at 190° C. of at least 10, where V.sub.0.1 is the viscosity of the ethylene-based polymer at 190° C. at a shear rate of 0.1 radians/second, and V.sub.100 is the viscosity of the ethylene-based polymer at 190° C. at a shear rate of 100 radians/second; and a molecular weight tail quantified by an MWD area metric, A.sub.TAIL, and A.sub.TAIL is less than or equal to 0.04 as determined by gel permeation chromatography using a triple detector.

Ethylene-based polymers of this disclosure include an average g′ less than 0.86, where the average g′ is an intrinsic viscosity ratio determined by gel permeation chromatography using a triple detector; and a molecular weight tail quantified by an MWD area metric, A.sub.TAIL, and A.sub.TAIL is less than or equal to 0.04 as determined by gel permeation chromatography using a triple detector.

Ethylene-based polymers of this disclosure include an average g′ less than 0.86, where the average g′ is an intrinsic viscosity ratio determined by gel permeation chromatography using a triple detector; and a molecular weight tail quantified by an MWD area metric, A.sub.TAIL, and A.sub.TAIL is less than or equal to 0.04 as determined by gel permeation chromatography using a triple detector.

In an embodiment, a method for producing a polyolefin is provided. The method includes: contacting a first composition and a second composition in a line to form a third composition, wherein: the first composition comprises a contact product of a first catalyst, a second catalyst, a support, and a diluent, wherein the mol ratio of second catalyst to first catalyst is from 60:40 to 40:60, the second composition comprises a contact product of the second catalyst and a second diluent; introducing the third composition from the line into a gas-phase fluidized bed reactor; exposing the third composition to polymerization conditions; and obtaining a polyolefin.

In an embodiment, a method for producing a polyolefin is provided. The method includes: contacting a first composition and a second composition in a line to form a third composition, wherein: the first composition comprises a contact product of a first catalyst, a second catalyst, a support, and a diluent, wherein the mol ratio of second catalyst to first catalyst is from 60:40 to 40:60, the second composition comprises a contact product of the second catalyst and a second diluent; introducing the third composition from the line into a gas-phase fluidized bed reactor; exposing the third composition to polymerization conditions; and obtaining a polyolefin.

High molecular weight elastomers, such as ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) polymers, are conventionally formulated with a post-polymerization oil extension to mitigate their high Mooney viscosity. Post-polymerization oil extension adds to processing costs and precludes use of polymerization facilities lacking oil extension capabilities. A low molecular weight polymer may be co-produced with a high molecular weight elastomer containing the same monomers, where the low molecular weight polymer may function in place of conventional oil extension. Polymerization methods may comprise: combining one or more olefinic monomers, a metallocene first catalyst component and a non-metallocene transition metal second catalyst component, and a solvent; and reacting the one or more olefinic monomers under solution polymerization conditions to form a polyolefin blend comprising first and second polyolefins having a bimodal molecular weight distribution. The non-metallocene second catalyst component may be a pyridylbisimine, quinolinyldiamido, pyridylamido, phenoxyimine, or bridged bi-aromatic complex.