This invention relates to transition metal complexes of a dianionic, tridentate ligand that features a central neutral heterocyclic Lewis base and two phenolate donors, where the tridentate ligand coordinates to the metal center to form two eight-membered rings. Preferably the bis(phenolate) complexes are represented by Formula (I): ##STR00001##
where M, L, X, m, n, E, E′, Q, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.1′, R.sup.2′, R.sup.3′, R.sup.4′, A.sup.1, A.sup.1′, ##STR00002##
are as defined herein, where A.sup.1QA.sup.1′ are part of a heterocyclic Lewis base containing 4 to 40 non-hydrogen atoms that links A.sup.2 to A.sup.2′ via a 3-atom bridge with Q being the central atom of the 3-atom bridge.

This invention relates to transition metal complexes of a dianionic, tridentate ligand that features a central neutral heterocyclic Lewis base and two phenolate donors, where the tridentate ligand coordinates to the metal center to form two eight-membered rings. Preferably the bis(phenolate) complexes are represented by Formula (I): ##STR00001##
where M, L, X, m, n, E, E′, Q, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.1′, R.sup.2′, R.sup.3′, R.sup.4′, A.sup.1, A.sup.1′, ##STR00002##
are as defined herein, where A.sup.1QA.sup.1′ are part of a heterocyclic Lewis base containing 4 to 40 non-hydrogen atoms that links A.sup.2 to A.sup.2′ via a 3-atom bridge with Q being the central atom of the 3-atom bridge.

Bis phenolate transition metal complexes are disclosed for use in alkene polymerization, with optional chain transfer agent, to produce polyolefins.

Bis phenolate transition metal complexes are disclosed for use in alkene polymerization, with optional chain transfer agent, to produce polyolefins.

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 as the Lewis base catalysts (e.g., bis(aryl phenolate) five-membered ring catalysts), can be stable at high polymerization temperatures and have good activity at the high polymerization temperatures. The stable catalysts with good activity can provide formation of polymers having high molecular weights or polymers having low to very molecular weights, and the ability to make an increased amount of polymer in a given reactor, as compared to conventional catalysts. Hence, the present disclosure demonstrates highly active catalysts capable of operating at high reactor temperatures while producing polymers with controlled molecular weights and or robust isotacticity.

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 as the Lewis base catalysts (e.g., bis(aryl phenolate) five-membered ring catalysts), can be stable at high polymerization temperatures and have good activity at the high polymerization temperatures. The stable catalysts with good activity can provide formation of polymers having high molecular weights or polymers having low to very molecular weights, and the ability to make an increased amount of polymer in a given reactor, as compared to conventional catalysts. Hence, the present disclosure demonstrates highly active catalysts capable of operating at high reactor temperatures while producing polymers with controlled molecular weights and or robust isotacticity.

The present disclosure relates to bis(aryl phenolate) Lewis base catalysts. Catalysts, catalyst systems, and processes of the present disclosure can provide high temperature ethylene polymerization, propylene polymerization, or copolymerization as the bis(aryl phenolate) Lewis base catalysts are stable at high polymerization temperatures and have good activity at the high polymerization temperatures. The stable catalysts with good activity can provide formation of polymers having high molecular weights and the ability to make an increased amount of polymer in a given reactor, as compared to conventional catalysts. Hence, the present disclosure demonstrates highly active catalysts capable of operating at high reactor temperatures while producing polymers with controlled molecular weights and or robust isotacticity.

The present disclosure relates to bis(aryl phenolate) Lewis base catalysts. Catalysts, catalyst systems, and processes of the present disclosure can provide high temperature ethylene polymerization, propylene polymerization, or copolymerization as the bis(aryl phenolate) Lewis base catalysts are stable at high polymerization temperatures and have good activity at the high polymerization temperatures. The stable catalysts with good activity can provide formation of polymers having high molecular weights and the ability to make an increased amount of polymer in a given reactor, as compared to conventional catalysts. Hence, the present disclosure demonstrates highly active catalysts capable of operating at high reactor temperatures while producing polymers with controlled molecular weights and or robust isotacticity.

This invention relates to supported catalyst compositions of transition metal complexes of a dianionic, tridentate ligand that features a central neutral heterocyclic Lewis base and two phenolate donors, where the tridentate ligand coordinates to the metal center to form two eight-membered rings. Preferably the bis(phenolate) complexes are represented by Formula (I): ##STR00001##
where M, L, X, m, n, E, E′, Q, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.1′, R.sup.2′, R.sup.3′, R.sup.4′, A.sup.1, A.sup.1′, A.sup.3A.sup.2, and A.sup.2′A.sup.3′ are as defined herein, where A.sup.1QA.sup.1′ are part of a heterocyclic Lewis base containing 4 to 40 non-hydrogen atoms that links A.sup.2 to A.sup.2′ via a 3-atom bridge with Q being the central atom of the 3-atom bridge.

This invention relates to supported catalyst compositions of transition metal complexes of a dianionic, tridentate ligand that features a central neutral heterocyclic Lewis base and two phenolate donors, where the tridentate ligand coordinates to the metal center to form two eight-membered rings. Preferably the bis(phenolate) complexes are represented by Formula (I): ##STR00001##
where M, L, X, m, n, E, E′, Q, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.1′, R.sup.2′, R.sup.3′, R.sup.4′, A.sup.1, A.sup.1′, A.sup.3A.sup.2, and A.sup.2′A.sup.3′ are as defined herein, where A.sup.1QA.sup.1′ are part of a heterocyclic Lewis base containing 4 to 40 non-hydrogen atoms that links A.sup.2 to A.sup.2′ via a 3-atom bridge with Q being the central atom of the 3-atom bridge.