METAL-LIGAND COMPLEX, CATALYST COMPOSITION FOR PREPARING ETHYLENE-BASED POLYMER CONTAINING THE SAME, AND PREPARATION METHOD OF ETHYLENE -BASED POLYMER USING THE SAME

Abstract

Provided are a metal-ligand complex having both a strong electron donor group and an electron withdrawing group by introducing a specific functional group, difluoromethylene group, into an oxygen-oxygen bridge, a catalyst composition for ethylene-based polymerization containing the same, and a preparation method of an ethylene-based polymer using the same. The metal-ligand complex according to the present invention and the catalyst composition containing the same may be very usefully used in the preparation of an ethylene-based polymer having excellent physical properties.

Claims

1. A metal-ligand complex represented by the following Formula 1: ##STR00018## wherein M is a transition metal of Group 4 in the periodic table; A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkylene or C.sub.1-C.sub.20haloalkylene; R′ and R″ are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl, C.sub.6-C.sub.20aryloxy, or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkylC.sub.6-C.sub.20aryloxy; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each independently halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl, or haloC.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; R.sub.3 to R.sub.6 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl, C.sub.6-C.sub.20aryl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.20arylC.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkoxy; p, q, a, b, c, and d are each independently an integer from 0 to 4; and s and t are each independently an integer from 0 to 3.

2. The metal-ligand complex of claim 1, wherein in Formula 1, A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkylene; R′ and R″ are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each independently halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl, or haloC.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; R.sub.3 to R.sub.6 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl or C.sub.6-C.sub.20arylC.sub.1-C.sub.20alky; R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkoxy; p and q are each independently an integer from 0 to 3; a, b, c, and d are each independently an integer from 1 to 3; and s and t are each independently an integer from 1 to 2.

3. The metal-ligand complex of claim 1, wherein Formula 1 is represented by the following Formula 2: ##STR00019## wherein M is a transition metal of Group 4 in the periodic table; A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkylene or C.sub.1-C.sub.20haloalkylene; R′ and R″ are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl, C.sub.6-C.sub.20aryloxy, or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkylC.sub.6-C.sub.20aryloxy; R.sub.3 to R.sub.6 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl, C.sub.6-C.sub.20aryl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.20arylC.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkoxy; R.sub.11 and R.sub.12 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; and R.sub.13 and R.sub.14 are each independently hydrogen or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl.

4. The metal-ligand complex of claim 3, wherein in Formula 2, A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkylene; R′ and R″ are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; R.sub.3 to R.sub.6 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl or C.sub.6-C.sub.20arylC.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkoxy; R.sub.11 and R.sub.12 are each independently halogen; and R.sub.13 and R.sub.14 are each independently hydrogen or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl.

5. The metal-ligand complex of claim 1, wherein Formula 1 is represented by the following Formula 3: ##STR00020## wherein M is titanium, zirconium, or hafnium; A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkylene or C.sub.1-C.sub.20haloalkylene; R′ and R″ are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; R.sub.3 to R.sub.6 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkoxy; R.sub.11 and R.sub.12 are each independently halogen; and R.sub.13 and R.sub.14 are each independently hydrogen or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl.

6. The metal-ligand complex of claim 5, wherein in Formula 3, A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.10alkylene; R′ and R″ are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.10alkyl; R.sub.3 to R.sub.6 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.10alkyl; R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are each independently C.sub.5-C.sub.20alkyl or C.sub.5-C.sub.20alkoxy; R.sub.11 and R.sub.12 are each independently halogen; and R.sub.13 and R.sub.14 are each independently hydrogen or C.sub.1-C.sub.10alkyl.

7. The metal-ligand complex of claim 1, wherein Formula 1 is represented by the following Formula 4: ##STR00021## wherein M is titanium, zirconium, or hafnium; A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkylene or C.sub.1-C.sub.20haloalkylene; R is C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; R.sub.21 is halogen; R.sub.22 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; R.sub.23 is C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; and R.sub.24 is C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkoxy.

8. A catalyst composition for preparing an ethylene-based polymer, comprising: the metal-ligand complex of claim 1; and a cocatalyst.

9. The catalyst composition for preparing an ethylene-based polymer of claim 8, wherein the cocatalyst is an aluminum compound cocatalyst, a boron compound cocatalyst, or a mixture thereof.

10. The catalyst composition for preparing an ethylene-based polymer of claim 8, wherein the cocatalyst is used in an amount of 0.5 to 10,000 moles based on 1 mole of the metal-ligand complex.

11. A preparation method of an ethylene-based polymer, comprising: preparing an ethylene-based polymer by polymerizing ethylene or ethylene and α-olefin in the presence of the catalyst composition for preparing an ethylene-based polymer of claim 8.

12. The preparation method of an ethylene-based polymer of claim 11, wherein the polymerization is carried out at 100 to 250° C.

Description

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

[0028] Hereinafter, the present invention will describe a metal-ligand complex according to the present invention, a catalyst composition for preparing an ethylene-based polymer containing the same, and a preparation method of an ethylene-based polymer using the same, but technical terms and scientific terms used herein have the general meaning understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains unless otherwise defined, and a description for the known function and configuration obscuring the present invention will be omitted in the following description.

[0029] As used herein, the following terms are defined as follows, but are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the present invention, application, or use.

[0030] As used herein, the terms “substituent”, “radical”, “group”, “group”, “moiety”, and “fragment” may be interchangeably used.

[0031] As used herein, the term “C.sub.A-C.sub.B” means “the number of carbon atoms is greater than or equal to A and less than or equal to B”.

[0032] As used herein, the term “alkyl” refers to a linear or branched saturated monovalent hydrocarbon radical composed only of carbon and hydrogen atoms. The alkyl may have 1 to 20 carbon atoms, 1 to 10 carbon atoms, 1 to 5 carbon atoms, 5 to 20 carbon atoms, 8 to 20 carbon atoms or 8 to 15 carbon atoms, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Specific examples of the alkyl include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl, i-pentyl, methylbutyl, n-hexyl, t-hexyl, methylpentyl, dimethylbutyl, heptyl, ethylpentyl, methylhexyl, dimethylpentyl, n-octyl, t-octyl, dimethylhexyl, ethylhexyl, n-decyl, t-decyl, n-dodecyl, t-dodecyl, etc.

[0033] As used herein, the term “aryl” refers to a monovalent organic radical derived from an aromatic hydrocarbon by removal of one hydrogen, and includes a monocyclic or fused ring system containing suitably 4 to 7, preferably 5 or 6 ring atoms in each ring, and even a form in which a plurality of aryls are connected by a single bond. Specific examples of the aryl include, but are not limited to, phenyl, naphthyl, biphenyl, fluorenyl, phenanthrenyl, anthracenyl, triphenylenyl, pyrenyl, chrysenyl, naphthacenyl, etc.

[0034] As used herein, the term “alkoxy” refers to an —O-alkyl radical, where “alkyl” is as defined above. Specific examples of the alkoxy include, but are not limited to, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, t-butoxy, etc.

[0035] As used herein, the term “aryloxy” refers to an —O-aryl radical, where “aryl” is as defined above. Specific examples of the aryloxy include, but are not limited to, phenoxy, naphthoxy, etc.

[0036] As used herein, the term “alkylaryl” refers to an aryl radical substituted with at least one alkyl, where “alkyl” and “aryl” are as defined above. Specific examples of the alkylaryl include, but are not limited to, tolyl, etc.

[0037] As used herein, the term “arylalkyl” refers to an alkyl radical substituted with at least one aryl, where “alkyl” and “aryl” are as defined above. Specific examples of the arylalkyl include, but are not limited to, benzyl, etc.

[0038] The present invention relates to a difluoromethyl-bridged metal-ligand complex as a bulky electron-withdrawing group, and provides a metal-ligand complex represented by the following Formula 1, including a carbazole group, which is a strong electron donor group introduced at a specific position, and a difluoromethylene group as an oxygen-oxygen bridge:

##STR00002## [0039] wherein [0040] M is a transition metal of Group 4 in the periodic table; [0041] A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkylene or C.sub.1-C.sub.20haloalkylene; [0042] R′ and R″ are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl, C.sub.6-C.sub.20aryloxy, or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkylC.sub.6-C.sub.20 aryloxy; [0043] R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each independently halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl, or haloC.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; [0044] R.sub.3 to R.sub.6 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl, C.sub.6-C.sub.20aryl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.20arylC.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; [0045] R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkoxy; [0046] p, q, a, b, c, and d are each independently an integer from 0 to 4; and [0047] s and t are each independently an integer from 0 to 3.

[0048] The metal-ligand complex according to the present invention may introduce a functional group including difluoromethylene as a bulky electron-withdrawing group to form an electron donor-acceptor structure with a phenyl group substituted with a carbazole group, which is an electron donor group to enrich the electrons of the ligand, thereby significantly improving the stability of the complex.

[0049] Therefore, the metal-ligand complex according to the present invention has excellent polymerization reactivity with other olefins while maintaining high catalytic activity even at a high temperatures due to the excellent thermal stability and may prepare a density and low molecular weight ethylene-based polymers in high yield, and thus has higher commercial practicality in the development of a number of high value-added products such as a synthetic oil, a lubricant, and an adhesive, compared to known metallocene- and a non-metallocene-based single activity site catalysts.

[0050] Preferably, in Formula 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 may be each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkylene; R′ and R″ may be each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 may be each independently halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.20 alkyl, or haloC.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; R.sub.3 to R.sub.6 may be each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl or C.sub.6-C.sub.20 arylC.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 may be each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkoxy; p and q may be each independently an integer from 0 to 3; a, b, c, and d may be each independently an integer from 1 to 3; and s and t may be each independently an integer from 1 to 2. More preferably, M may be titanium, zirconium, or hafnium; A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 may be each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.10alkylene; R′ and R″ may be each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.10alkyl; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 may be each independently halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.10alkyl, or haloC.sub.1-C.sub.10alkyl; R.sub.3 to R.sub.6 may be each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.10alkyl or C.sub.6-C.sub.20arylC.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 may be each independently C.sub.5-C.sub.20alkyl or C.sub.5-C.sub.20alkoxy; p and q may be each independently an integer from 0 to 3; a, b, c, and d may be each independently an integer from 1 to 3; and s and t may be each independently an integer from 1 to 2.

[0051] In one embodiment, the R′ and R″ may be each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.7alkyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkyl.

[0052] In one embodiment, R.sub.3 to R.sub.6 may be each independently branched C.sub.3-C.sub.10alkyl or branched C.sub.3-C.sub.7alkyl.

[0053] In one embodiment, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 may be each independently C.sub.8-C.sub.20alkyl, specifically n-octyl, t-octyl, n-nonyl, t-nonyl, n-decyl, t-decyl, n-undecyl, t-undecyl, n-dodecyl, or t-dodecyl.

[0054] In one embodiment, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 may be each independently halogen or C.sub.1-C.sub.10alkyl, and p and q may be each independently an integer from 1 or 2.

[0055] In terms of having more improved thermal stability and excellent catalytic activity, preferably, the metal-ligand complex according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be represented by the following Formula 2:

##STR00003## [0056] wherein [0057] M is a transition metal of Group 4 in the periodic table; [0058] A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkylene or C.sub.1-C.sub.20haloalkylene; [0059] R′ and R″ are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl, C.sub.6-C.sub.20aryloxy, or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkylC.sub.6-C.sub.20 aryloxy; [0060] R.sub.3 to R.sub.6 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl, C.sub.6-C.sub.20aryl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.20arylC.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; [0061] R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkoxy; [0062] R.sub.11 and R.sub.12 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; and [0063] R.sub.13 and R.sub.14 are each independently hydrogen or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl.

[0064] Preferably, in Formula 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 may be each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkylene; R′ and R″ may be each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; R.sub.3 to R.sub.6 may be each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl or C.sub.6-C.sub.20arylC.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 may be each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkoxy; R.sub.11 and R.sub.12 may be each independently halogen; and R.sub.13 and R.sub.14 may be each independently hydrogen or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl. More preferably, A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 may be each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.10alkylene; R′ and R″ may be each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.10alkyl; R.sub.3 to R.sub.6 may be each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.10alkyl; R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 may be each independently C.sub.5-C.sub.20 alkyl or C.sub.5-C.sub.20alkoxy; R.sub.11 and R.sub.12 may be each independently halogen; and R.sub.13 and R.sub.14 may be each independently hydrogen or C.sub.1-C.sub.10alkyl.

[0065] In one embodiment, the R′ and R″ may be each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.7alkyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkyl.

[0066] In one embodiment, R.sub.3 to R.sub.6 may be each independently branched C.sub.3-C.sub.10alkyl or branched C.sub.3-C.sub.7alkyl.

[0067] In one embodiment, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 may be each independently C.sub.8-C.sub.20alkyl, and specifically, n-octyl, t-octyl, n-nonyl, t-nonyl, n-decyl, t-decyl, n-undecyl, t-undecyl, n-dodecyl, or t-dodecyl.

[0068] In one embodiment, both R.sub.11 and R.sub.12 may be fluoro.

[0069] More preferably, the metal-ligand complex according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be represented by the following Formula 3:

##STR00004## [0070] wherein [0071] M is titanium, zirconium, or hafnium; [0072] A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkylene or C.sub.1-C.sub.20haloalkylene; [0073] R′ and R″ are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; [0074] R.sub.3 to R.sub.6 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; [0075] R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkoxy; [0076] R.sub.11 and R.sub.12 are each independently halogen; and [0077] R.sub.13 and R.sub.14 are each independently hydrogen or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl.

[0078] More preferably, in Formula 3 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 may be each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.10alkylene; R′ and R″ may be each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.10alkyl; R.sub.3 to R.sub.6 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.10alkyl; R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 may be each independently C.sub.5-C.sub.20alkyl or C.sub.5-C.sub.20alkoxy; R.sub.11 and R.sub.12 may be each independently halogen; and R.sub.13 and R.sub.14 may be each independently hydrogen or C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl.

[0079] In one embodiment, the R′ and R″ may be each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.7alkyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkyl.

[0080] In one embodiment, R.sub.3 to R.sub.6 may be each independently branched C.sub.3-C.sub.10alkyl or branched C.sub.3-C.sub.7alkyl.

[0081] In one embodiment, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 may be each independently C.sub.8-C.sub.20alkyl, and specifically, n-octyl, t-octyl, n-nonyl, t-nonyl, n-decyl, t-decyl, n-undecyl, t-undecyl, n-dodecyl, or t-dodecyl.

[0082] In one embodiment, both R.sub.11 and R.sub.12 may be fluoro.

[0083] Preferably, the metal-ligand complex according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be represented by the following Formula 4:

##STR00005## [0084] wherein [0085] M is titanium, zirconium, or hafnium; [0086] A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkylene or C.sub.1-C.sub.20haloalkylene; [0087] R is C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; [0088] R.sub.21 is halogen; [0089] R.sub.22 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; [0090] R.sub.23 is C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; [0091] R.sub.24 is C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkoxy.

[0092] More preferably, in Formula 4 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, M is titanium, zirconium or hafnium; A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.10alkylene; R is C.sub.1-C.sub.10alkyl; R.sub.21 is halogen; R.sub.22 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; R.sub.23 is C.sub.1-C.sub.10alkyl; and R.sub.24 is C.sub.5-C.sub.20alkyl.

[0093] In one embodiment, the R may be C.sub.1-C.sub.7alkyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.3alkyl.

[0094] In one embodiment, R.sub.23 may be branched C.sub.3-C.sub.10alkyl or branched C.sub.3-C.sub.7alkyl.

[0095] In one embodiment, R.sub.24 may be C.sub.8-C.sub.20alkyl, and specifically, n-octyl, t-octyl, n-nonyl, t-nonyl, n-decyl, t-decyl, n-undecyl, t-undecyl, n-dodecyl, or t-dodecyl.

[0096] In one embodiment, R.sub.21 may be fluoro.

[0097] In terms of further improving high-temperature stability, catalytic activity, and reactivity with olefins, the metal-ligand complex of Formula 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be represented by the following Formula 5:

##STR00006## [0098] wherein [0099] M is zirconium or hafnium; [0100] A.sub.11 is C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkylene; [0101] R.sub.24 is C.sub.8-C.sub.20alkyl; and [0102] R.sub.22 is hydrogen or methyl.

[0103] Preferably, in Formula 5 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, R.sub.24 may be C.sub.8-C.sub.12alkyl, and specifically, n-octyl, t-octyl, n-nonyl, t-nonyl, n-decyl, t-decyl, n-undecyl, t-undecyl, n-dodecyl, or t-dodecyl.

[0104] Preferably, in Formula 5 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, A.sub.11 may be C.sub.1-C.sub.10alkylene, C.sub.1-C.sub.7alkylene, or C.sub.1-C.sub.3alkylene.

[0105] In one embodiment, in Formula 5, A.sub.11 may be —CH.sub.2—; R.sub.24 may be n-octyl, t-octyl, n-decyl, or n-dodecyl; and R.sub.22 may be hydrogen.

[0106] In one embodiment, in Formula 5, A.sub.11 may be —CH.sub.2CH.sub.2—; R.sub.24 may be n-octyl, t-octyl, n-decyl, or n-dodecyl; and R.sub.14 may be hydrogen.

[0107] In one embodiment, in Formula 5, A.sub.11 may be —CH.sub.2—; R.sub.24 may be n-octyl, t-octyl, n-decyl, or n-dodecyl; and R.sub.22 may be methyl.

[0108] In one embodiment, in Formula 5, A.sub.11 may be —CH.sub.2CH.sub.2—; R.sub.24 may be n-octyl, t-octyl, n-decyl, or n-dodecyl; and R.sub.22 may be methyl.

[0109] Specifically, the metal-ligand complex according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be a compound selected from the following structures, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

##STR00007## ##STR00008## ##STR00009## ##STR00010## [0110] wherein M is zirconium or hafnium.

[0111] In addition, the present invention provides a catalyst composition for preparing an ethylene-based polymer selected from an ethylene homopolymer or a copolymer of ethylene and α-olefin, containing the metal-ligand complex according to the present invention and the cocatalyst.

[0112] The cocatalyst according to an exemplary embodiment may be a boron compound cocatalyst, an aluminum compound cocatalyst, and a mixture thereof.

[0113] The cocatalyst according to an exemplary embodiment may be contained in an amount of 0.5 to 10,000 moles based on 1 mole of the metal-ligand complex, but the present is not limited thereto.

[0114] Examples of the boron compound that may be used as the cocatalyst include those known in U.S. Pat. No. 5,198,401, and specifically may be one or a mixture of two or more selected from compounds represented by the following Formulas A to C:

B(R.sup.21).sub.3  [Formula A]

[R.sup.22].sup.+[B(R.sup.21).sub.4].sup.−  [Formula B]

[(R.sup.23).sub.wZH].sup.+[B(R.sup.21).sub.4].sup.−  [Formula C] [0115] wherein [0116] B is a boron atom; R.sup.21 is phenyl, wherein the phenyl may be further substituted with 3 to 5 substituents selected from a fluorine atom, C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl, C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl substituted with a fluorine atom, C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkoxy, and C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkoxy substituted with a fluorine atom; R.sup.22 is C.sub.8-C.sub.7 aromatic radical or a C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkylC.sub.6-C.sub.20aryl radical, or a C.sub.6-C.sub.20arylC.sub.1-C.sub.20 alkyl radical, for example, a triphenylmethylium radical; Z is a nitrogen or phosphorus atom; R.sup.23 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl radical or an anilinium radical substituted with two C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyls together with a nitrogen atom; and w is an integer from 2 or 3.

[0117] Preferred examples of the boron-based cocatalyst include triphenylmethylinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane, tris(2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borane, tris(2,3,4,5-tetrafluorophenyl)borane, tris(3,4,5-trifluorophenyl) borane, tris(2,3,4-trifluorophenyl)borane, phenylbis(pentafluorophenyl)borane, tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tetrakis(2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, tetrakis(2,3,4,5-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, tetrakis(3,4,5-trifluorophenyl)borate, tetrakis(2,2,4-trifluorophenyl)borate, phenylbis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, or tetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate. In addition, specific examples of their combination include ferrocenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, 1,1′-dimethylferrocenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, silver tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, triphenylmethylinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, triphenylmethylinium tetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate, triethylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tripropylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-diethylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-2,4,6-pentamethylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)borate, diisopropylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, dicyclohexylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, triphenylphosphonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tri(methylphenyl)phosphonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, or tri(dimethylphenyl)phosphonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, the most preferred of which may be any one or two or more selected from triphenylmethylinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakispentafluorophenylborate, triphenylmethylinium tetrakispentafluorophenylborate, and trispentafluoroborane.

[0118] Examples of an aluminum compound that may be used as a cocatalyst in the catalyst composition according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention include an aluminoxane compound of formula D or E, an organoaluminum compound of formula F, or an organoaluminum alkyloxide or organoaluminum aryloxide compound of formula G or H:

(—Al(R.sup.31)—O—).sub.x  [Formula D]

(R.sup.31).sub.2Al—(—O(R.sup.31)—).sub.y—(R.sup.31).sub.2  [Formula E]

(R.sup.32).sub.zAl(E).sub.3-z  [Formula F]

(R.sup.33).sub.2AlOR.sup.34  [Formula G]

R.sup.33Al(OR.sup.34).sub.2[Formula H] [0119] wherein [0120] R.sup.31 is C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl, preferably methyl or isobutyl, and x and y are each independently an integer from 5 to 20; R.sup.32 and R.sup.33 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl; E is a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; z is an integer from 1 to 3; and R.sup.34 is C.sub.1-C.sub.20alkyl or C.sub.6-C.sub.30aryl.

[0121] Specific examples which may be used as the aluminum compound includes methylaluminoxane, modified methylaluminoxane, and tetraisobutylaluminoxane as an aluminoxane compound; and trialkylaluminum including trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, tripropylaluminum, triisobutylaluminum and trihexylaluminum; dialkylaluminumchloride including dimethylaluminumchloride, diethylaluminumchloride, dipropylaluminum chloride, diisobutylaluminumchloride and dihexylaluminumchloride; alkylaluminumdichloride including methylaluminumdichloride, ethylaluminumdichloride, propylaluminumdichloride, isobutylaluminumdichloride and hexylaluminumdichloride; dialkylaluminum hydride including dimethylaluminum hydride, diethylaluminum hydride, dipropylaluminum hydride, diisobutylaluminum hydride, and dihexylaluminum hydride; and alkyl alkoxy aluminum including methyldimethoxyaluminum, dimethylmethoxyaluminum, ethyldiethoxyaluminum, diethylethoxyaluminum, isobutyldibutoxyaluminum, diisobutylbutoxyaluminum, hexyldimethoxyaluminum, dihexylmethoxyaluminum and dioctylmethoxyaluminum as an organic aluminum compound. Preferably, an aluminoxane compound, trialkylaluminum, and a mixture thereof may be used as a cocatalyst, specifically, methylaluminoxane, improved methylaluminoxane, tetraisobutyldialuminoxane, trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, and triisobutylaluminum alone or a mixture thereof may be used, and more preferably, tetraisobutyldialuminoxane, triisobutylaluminum, or a mixture thereof may be used.

[0122] Preferably, in the catalyst composition according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the aluminum compound is used as a cocatalyst, a ratio between the transition metal (M):the aluminum atom (Al) in the metal-ligand complex according to the present invention and the aluminum compound cocatalyst may be preferably in the range of 1:10 to 10,000 based on the molar ratio.

[0123] Preferably, in the catalyst composition according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when both the aluminum compound and the boron compound are used as cocatalysts, a ratio of transition metal (M):boron atom (B):aluminum atom (Al) in the metal-ligand complex according to the present invention and the cocatalyst may be in the range of 1:0.1 to 200:10 to 10,000, and more preferably in the range of 1:0.5 to 100:25 to 5,000 based on the molar ratio.

[0124] The ratio between the metal-ligand complex according to the present invention and the cocatalyst exhibits excellent catalytic activity for preparing an ethylene-based polymer within the above range, and the range of the ratio varies depending on the purity of the reaction.

[0125] As another aspect according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the preparation method of an ethylene-based polymer using the catalyst composition for preparing an ethylene-based polymer may be carried out by contacting the metal-ligand complex, a cocatalyst, and ethylene or, if necessary, a comonomer in the presence of an appropriate organic solvent. In this case, a procatalyst, which is a transition metal compound and the cocatalyst component may be separately injected into a reactor, or may be injected into the reactor by mixing each component in advance, and there is no limitation on mixing conditions such as the order of introduction, temperature, or concentration.

[0126] Preferred organic solvents which may be used in the above preparation method are C.sub.3-C.sub.20 hydrocarbons, and specific examples thereof include butane, isobutane, pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, isooctane, nonane, decane, dodecane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, benzene, toluene, xylene, etc.

[0127] Specifically, when an ethylene homopolymer is prepared, ethylene is used alone as a monomer, and when a copolymer of ethylene and α-olefin is prepared, C.sub.3-C.sub.18 α-olefin may be used as a comonomer together with ethylene. Specific examples of the C.sub.3-C.sub.18 α-olefin include propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-decene, 1-dodecene, 1-hexadecene, 1-octadecene, etc. In the present invention, the C.sub.3-C.sub.18 α-olefin as described above may be homopolymerized with ethylene, or two or more types of olefins may be copolymerized, and more preferably, 1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, or 1-decene may be copolymerized with ethylene.

[0128] The pressure of ethylene may be 1 to 1,000 atm, more preferably 10 to 150 atm. In addition, it is effective that the polymerization reaction is carried out at 80° C. or more, preferably at 100° C. or more, and more preferably at 100° C. to 250° C. The temperature and pressure conditions in the polymerization step may be determined in consideration of the efficiency of polymerization reaction according to a type of reaction and a type of reactor to be applied.

[0129] In general, when the solution polymerization process is carried out at a high temperature as described above, as the temperature rises, deformation or deterioration of the catalyst occurs and the activity of the catalyst is lowered, making it difficult to obtain a polymer having desired properties. However, when an ethylene-based polymer is prepared using the catalyst composition according to the present invention, it exhibits stable catalytic activity at a high polymerization temperature.

[0130] The ethylene-based polymer is an ethylene homopolymer or a copolymer of ethylene and α-olefin, and the copolymer of ethylene and α-olefin contains 50% by weight or more of ethylene, preferably 60% by weight or more of ethylene, and more in the range of 60 to 99% by weight of ethylene.

[0131] As described above, a low density and low molecular weight ethylene homopolymer or a copolymer of ethylene and α-olefin may be prepared by using the metal-ligand complex according to the present invention as a main catalyst for polymerization.

[0132] For example, the ethylene-based polymer prepared according to the present invention is a low-density ethylene homopolymer or a copolymer of ethylene and α-olefin, and may have a low density of less than 0.870 g/cc, preferably a density of 0.850 g/cc or more and less than 0.870 g/cc, and at the same time exhibit a melt index (MI) value of 10 to 50 g/10 min (ASTM D1238, 190° C./2.16 kg).

[0133] In addition, in order to adjust a molecular weight in the preparation of the ethylene-based copolymer according to the present invention, hydrogen may be used as a chain transfer agent, and the ethylene copolymer usually has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) in a range of 50,000 to 200,000 g/mol.

[0134] Since the catalyst composition presented in the present invention is present in a homogeneous form in a polymerization reactor, it is preferred to apply to a solution polymerization process which is carried out at a temperature equal to or more than a melting point of the polymer. However, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,597, the catalyst composition may also be used in a slurry polymerization or gas phase polymerization process in the form of a non-uniform catalyst composition obtained by supporting the procatalyst, which is a transition metal compound and the cocatalyst on a porous metal oxide support.

[0135] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by the following examples, however, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0136] Unless otherwise stated, all experiments of synthesizing ligands and catalysts were carried out using a standard Schlenk or glove box technology under a nitrogen atmosphere and an organic solvent used in the reaction was refluxed under a sodium metal and benzophenone to remove moisture, and used after being distilled immediately before use. .sup.1H NMR analysis of the synthesized ligand and catalyst was carried out using a Bruker 400 or 500 MHz at room temperature.

[0137] Methylcyclohexane, which is a polymerization solvent, was used after being passed through a tube filled with a 5 Å molecular sieve and activated alumina and bubbling with high-purity nitrogen to sufficiently remove moisture, oxygen and other catalyst poison substances.

[Example 1] Synthesis of Procatalyst C1

Preparation of Compound 1-1 (3,6-di-tert-butyl-9-(2-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)-3-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-5-(2,4,4-trimethylpentan-2-yl)phenyl)-9H-carbazole)

[0138] ##STR00011##

[0139] According to WO 2017/040088, the compound 1-1 (3,6-di-tert-butyl-9-(2-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)-3-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-5-(2,4,4-trimethylpentan-2-yl)phenyl)-9H-carbazole) was prepared.

Preparation of Compound 1-2 (2,2-difluoropropane-1,3-diyl bis(4-methylbenzenesulfonate))

[0140] ##STR00012##

[0141] 2,2-difluoropropane-1,3-diol (44.6 mmol, 5 g) and 4-methylbenzene-1-sulfonyl chloride (18.71 g, 2.2 equiv.) were dissolved in DCM(Dichloromethane) (50 mL). After triethylamine (14 mL, 3 equiv.) was added at 0° C., the mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature (RT). After completion of the reaction, washing was performed using 1M NaOH, and the organic layer was extracted with DCM. After removal of the solvent, recrystallization was performed from hexane to obtain Compound 1-2 in the form of a white solid (17 g, 75%).

[0142] .sup.1H NMR (CDCl.sub.3): δ 7.76 (d, 4H), 7.37 (d, 4H), 4.18 (t, 4H), 2.46 (s, 6H).

Synthesis of Compound 1-3 (4,4′-((2,2-difluoropropane-1,3-diyl)bis(oxy))bis(3-bromo-1-fluorobenzene))

[0143] ##STR00013##

[0144] Compound 1-2 (11.89 mmol, 5 g), 2-bromo-4-fluorophenol (4.77 g, 2.1 equiv.), and KOH (1.67 g, 2.5 equiv.) were dissolved in DMSO (50 mL) and then stirred at 100° C. overnight. After completion of the reaction, the organic layer was extracted with DCM. After removal of the solvent, recrystallization was performed from hexane to obtain Compound 1-3 in the form of a white solid (4 g, 74%).

[0145] .sup.1H NMR (CDCl.sub.3): δ 7.29-7.26 (m, 2H), 7.00-6.99 (m, 2H), 6.94-6.92 (m, 2H), 4.24 (m, 4H).

Synthesis of Ligand L1

[0146] ##STR00014##

[0147] Compound 1-1 (7.0 g, 2.2 equiv.), compound 1-3 (2 g), NaOH (1.4 g, 8 equiv.), and Pd(pph.sub.3).sub.4 (0.2 g, 0.04 equiv.) were added to a two-neck round bottom flask under a nitrogen atmosphere, dissolved in toluene (50 mL) and H.sub.2O (10 mL), and stirred at 130° C. for 24 hours. After completion of the reaction, an organic material was extracted with EA to remove the solvent, and then purified by a filter column. The purified product was dissolved in THF (20 mL) and MeOH (20 mL). P-TsOH (0.08 g, 0.1 equiv.) was added thereto, followed by stirring at 60° C. for 4 hours. After completion of the reaction, the solvent was removed. Recrystallization was performed using MeOH to obtain ligand L1 in the form of a white solid (4.3 g, 78%).

[0148] .sup.1H NMR (CDCl.sub.3): δ 8.26 (m, 4H), 7.45 (d, 4H), 7.31 (d, 2H), 7.14 (d, 2H), 6.98 (d, 4H), 6.84-6.81 (m, 2H), 6.13-6.11 (m, 2H), 5.24 (m, 2H), 4.63 (s, 2H), 3.77 (m, 2H), 1.66 (s, 4H), 1.48 (s, 36H), 1.31 (s, 12H), 0.75 (s, 18H).

Synthesis of Procatalyst C1

[0149] ##STR00015##

[0150] The reaction was carried out in a glove box under a nitrogen atmosphere. ZrCl.sub.4 (0.66 g, 2.83 mmol) and toluene (200 mL) were added to a 100 ml flask to prepare a slurry. The slurry was cooled to −20° C. for 30 minutes in a glove box freezer. To the stirring cold slurry was added 3.0 M methylmagnesium bromide (3.9 mL, 15.3 mmol) in diethyl ether. The mixture was stirred vigorously for 30 minutes. The solid dissolved, but the reaction solution turned pale brown. To the mixture was slowly added ligand L1 (3.09 g, 2.44 mmol) as a solid. The reaction flask was heated to room temperature and stirred for 12 hours, and then the reaction mixture was filtered through a syringe to which a membrane filter was connected. The filtered solution was dried in vacuo to obtain procatalyst C1 as a brown solid (2.99 g, 88.7% yield).

[0151] .sup.1H NMR (CDCl.sub.3): δ 8.31 (s, 2H), 8.07 (s, 2H), 7.58-7.14 (m, 12H), 7.00 (m, 2H), 6.29 (m, 2H), 4.65 (m, 2H), 4.20 (m, 2H), 3.49 (m, 2H), 1.75 (s, 4H), 1.57 (s, 18H), 1.40 (s, 6H), 1.38 (s, 18H), 1.33 (s, 6H), 0.80 (s, 18H), −1.50 (s, 6H).

[Comparative Example 1] Synthesis of Procatalyst C2

[0152] The procatalyst C2 was prepared according to WO 2017/040088 and KR 10-2019-0075778 A.

##STR00016##

[Comparative Example 2] Procatalyst C3

[0153] Procatalyst C3 having the following structure was obtained from S-PCI and used.

##STR00017##

[Example 2] Copolymerization of ethylene and 1-octene

[0154] Copolymerization of ethylene and 1-octene was carried out using a batch polymerization apparatus as follows.

[0155] After sufficiently drying, 600 mL of methylcyclohexane and 50 mL of 1-octene were added to a 1,500 mL stainless steel reactor substituted with nitrogen, and then 2 mL of triisobutylaluminum (1.0 M hexane solution) was added to the reactor. Thereafter, after heating the temperature of the reactor to 100° C., 1.0 μmol of the procatalyst C1 prepared in Example 1 and 40 μmol of triphenylmethylinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl) borate were sequentially added thereto, the pressure in the reactor was filled with ethylene to 20 bar, and then the feed was continuously performed to allow polymerization. After the reaction was allowed to proceed for 5 minutes, the recovered reaction product was dried in a vacuum oven at 40° C. for 8 hours. The polymerization results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0156] Melt flow index (MI, melt index): It was measured under a load of 2.16 kg at 190° C. using an ASTM D1238 analysis method.

[0157] Density: It was measured by an ASTM D792 analysis method.

Comparative Example 3

[0158] Copolymerization of ethylene and 1-octene was carried out in the same manner as in Example 2, except that 1.0 μmol of procatalyst C2 (Comparative Example 2) was used instead of procatalyst C1 (Example 1). The polymerization reaction conditions and polymerization results are shown in Table 1 below.

Comparative Example 4

[0159] Copolymerization of ethylene and 1-octene was carried out in the same manner as in Example 2, except that 1.0 μmol of procatalyst C3 (Comparative Example 2) was added instead of procatalyst C1 (Example 1). The polymerization reaction conditions and polymerization results are shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Catalyst activity Polymer Metal-ligand ΔT (kg/mmol of amount Density Polymerization complex (° C.) of catalyst used) (g/cc) MI Example 2 Procatalyst C1 35.1 78.2 0.860 31.04 (Example 1) Comparative Procatalyst C2 32.0 66.8 0.881 0.14 Example 3 (Comparative Example 1) Comparative Procatalyst 26.3 44.3 0.889 3.03 Example 4 C3(Comparative Example 2) *Polymerization catalyst: a molar ratio of triphenylmethylinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate:triisobutyl aluminum = 1:40:2,000

[0160] From the polymerization results in Table 1, it can be confirmed that catalyst activity and polymer properties are significantly different due to the structure of the polymerization catalyst.

[0161] Specifically, in the case of Example 2 using the procatalyst C1 (Example 1) of the present invention as a polymerization catalyst, it can be seen that the catalytic activity is significantly improved, and a copolymer of ethylene and 1-octene having a high MI value indicating low density and low molecular weight may be prepared, compared to the case of Comparative Example 3 using the procatalyst C2 (Comparative Example 1) having no fluoride at the same position and Comparative Example 4 using the procatalyst C3, which is the metallocene compound (Comparative Example 2).

[0162] That is, it can be seen that when the procatalyst C1 according to the present invention is used, the MI value is significantly increased compared to the procatalysts C2 and C3 of Comparative Examples, and from the above results, it can be seen that the copolymer prepared by using the metal-ligand complex according to the present invention as a polymerization catalyst has a lower molecular weight than those of Comparative Examples.

[0163] In addition, when the procatalyst C1 according to the present invention was used, the density was 0.860 g/cc, from which it can be seen that, unlike the procatalysts C2 and C3 of the Comparative Examples, it had a low density of less than 0.870 g/cc.

[0164] It can be seen that whether such a low-density and low-molecular-weight copolymer is prepared is due to the structural characteristics of the polymerization catalyst.

[0165] Therefore, the metal-ligand complex according to the present invention may have surprisingly excellent catalytic activity even at a high temperature due to the difluoromethyl-bridged structural characteristic as a bulky electron-withdrawing group, and may effectively prepare a low density and low molecular weight copolymer of ethylene and α-olefin, thereby being useful for developing high value-added products.

[0166] As described above, though the present invention has been described in detail with respect to the exemplary embodiments thereof, a person skilled in the art may make various variations of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined in the claims which follow. Therefore, further modifications in the embodiments of the present invention will not deviate from the technology of the present invention.