Electron donor for polyolefin polymerization catalysts and uses thereof

Abstract

Disclosed in certain embodiments is an electron donor for a polyolefin polymerization catalyst. In some embodiments, a solid catalyst component includes a metal component and the electron donor that form a catalyst on a support.

Claims

1. A polyolefin catalyst comprising an aluminum alkyl, a metal component, and an electron donor of Formula II.a, III.a., III.b., IV.a., or IV.b.: ##STR00022##

2. The polyolefin catalyst of claim 1, wherein the metal component is titanium.

3. The polyolefin catalyst of claim 1, further comprising a support, wherein the metal component and the electron donor form a catalyst disposed on the support.

4. The polyolefin catalyst of claim 3, wherein the support comprises a magnesium halide.

5. The polyolefin catalyst of claim 1, wherein the polyolefin catalyst has an activity of greater than 25 kg/g.Math.hr.

6. The polyolefin catalyst of claim 1, wherein the polyolefin catalyst has an activity of greater than 30 kg/g.Math.hr.

7. The polyolefin catalyst of claim 1, wherein the polyolefin catalyst is adapted to produce polypropylene having a polydispersity index (PI) of greater than 3.

8. The polyolefin catalyst of claim 1, wherein the polyolefin catalyst is adapted to produce polypropylene having a xylene solubles content of less than 8% XS.

9. The polyolefin catalyst of claim 1, wherein the polyolefin catalyst is adapted to produce polypropylene having a melt flow index of greater than 2 g/10 min.

10. A method for producing polypropylene, the method comprising: forming a reaction mixture by mixing a silane component with a catalyst, the catalyst component comprising a titanium catalyst, an electron donor, and a magnesium halide; and adding propylene to the reaction mixture to form a polypropylene batch, wherein a polydispersity index (PI) of the polypropylene batch is greater than 3, wherein a xylene solubles content of the polypropylene batch is less than 8% XS, and wherein a melt flow index of the polypropylene is greater than 2 g/10 min; wherein the electron donor is of Formula II.a, III.a., III.b., IV.a., or IV.b.: ##STR00023##

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(1) The present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader scope of the embodiments of the invention as set for in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

(2) Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to a compound of Formula I:

(3) ##STR00016##

(4) In one embodiment, A and B are each independently selected from a group consisting of a 5-membered aromatic, a 5-membered heteroaromatic, a 6-membered aromatic, and a 6-membered heteroaromatic.

(5) In one embodiment, the dashed lines together (illustrated above as connecting m to A and B) are either present or non-existent with the proviso that m is non-existent when the dashed lines are non-existent. In such embodiments where the dashed lines are non-existent, A and B are bridged by n alone.

(6) In one embodiment, m and n are each independently non-existent, optionally substituted alkylene, optionally substituted alkenylene, or optionally substituted alkynylene. In one embodiment, A, B, m, and n together form a bridged aromatic system, with the proviso that the dashed lines are present. It is to be understood that m and n may form single or double bonds with to A and B, and may form resonance structures with A and B.

(7) In one embodiment, a and b are each independently selected from a group consisting of 0, 1, 2, and 3.

(8) In one embodiment, X and Y are each independently a moiety selected from a group consisting of —C—O—, —O—, —S—, —SO—, —SO.sub.2—, —OS(═O).sub.2O—, —OS(═O)O—, —S(═O)O—, —(CR.sup.5aR.sup.5b)—, —NR.sup.6—, —SO.sub.2NR.sup.7—, —NR.sup.7SO.sub.2—, —OP(═O)(OR.sup.8)O—, —OP(═O)(H)O—, —OP(OH)O—, —(C═O)—O—, —O—(C═O)—, —(C═O)—, —Si(═O)—, —Si(R.sup.8).sub.2—, —Ge(═O)—, and —Ge(R.sup.8).sub.2—.

(9) In one embodiment, each occurrence of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, aralkyl, (heterocyclo)alkyl, (heteroaryl)alkyl, (amino)alkyl, (alkylamino)alkyl, (dialkylamino)alkyl, (carboxamido)alkyl, (cyano)alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, heteroalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkoxy, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heterocyclo, and optionally substituted heteroaryl; or any two adjacent occurrences of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together with the atom to which they are attached form a 3- to 8-membered optionally substituted cycloalkyl, a 3- to 8-membered heterocyclo, a 3- to 8-membered optionally substituted aromatic, or a 3- to 8-membered heteroaromatic.

(10) In one embodiment, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, aralkyl, (heterocyclo)alkyl, (heteroaryl)alkyl, (amino)alkyl, (alkylamino)alkyl, (dialkylamino)alkyl, (carboxamido)alkyl, (cyano)alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, heteroalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heterocyclo, and optionally substituted heteroaryl.

(11) In one embodiment, R.sup.5a and R.sup.5b are each independently selected from a group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, and alkyl.

(12) In one embodiment, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are each independently selected from a group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl.

(13) In one embodiment, R.sup.8 is selected from a group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, carbonyl, alkoxyl, and optionally substituted forms thereof.

(14) Certain other embodiments of the present invention are directed to a compound of Formula I. In one embodiment, m is non-existent. In another embodiment, n is non-existent. In yet another embodiment, both m and n are non-existent. In yet another embodiment, A is 6-membered aromatic. In one embodiment, B is 6-membered aromatic. In one embodiment, both A and B are 6-membered aromatic. In one embodiment, a is 0. In one embodiment, b is 0. In one embodiment, both a and b are 0. In one embodiment, X is —(C═O)—O—. In one embodiment, Y is —(C═O)—O—. In one embodiment, both X and Y are —(C═O)—O—. In one embodiment, R.sup.3 is optionally substituted alkyl. In one embodiment, R.sup.4 is optionally substituted alkyl. In one embodiment, both R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are optionally substituted alkyl. In one embodiment, R.sup.3 is butyl. In one embodiment, R.sup.4 is butyl. In one embodiment, both R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are butyl. In one embodiment, m or n is non-existent, A or B is 6-membered aromatic, a or b is 0, X or Y is —(C═O)—O—, and R.sup.3 or R.sup.4 is optionally substituted alkyl or butyl.

(15) Certain other embodiments of the present invention are directed to a compound of Formula II:

(16) ##STR00017##

(17) Certain other embodiments of the present invention are directed to a compound of Formula III:

(18) ##STR00018##

(19) Certain other embodiments of the present invention are directed to a compound of Formula IV:

(20) ##STR00019##

(21) Certain other embodiments of the present invention are directed to a compound of Formula V:

(22) ##STR00020##

(23) In certain embodiments, A and B are 6-membered aromatic, and m and n are both non-existent (i.e., a A and B are bonded directly together in place of m and n, for example, as shown in Formula II), are both —CH— (e.g., as shown in Formula III), or n is non-existent and m is —(CH).sub.2— (e.g., as shown in Formula IV). In certain embodiments, A and B are 6-membered aromatic, m and n are both non-existent and the dashed lines of Formula I are non-existent (e.g., as shown in Formula V).

(24) In certain embodiments, X and Y are each independently a moiety selected from the group consisting of —C—O, —O—, —(CR.sup.5aR.sup.5b)—, —(C═O)—O—, —O—(C═O)—, and —(C═O)—. In certain embodiments, X and Y are each independently a moiety selected from the group consisting of —C—O—, —(C═O)—O—, —O—(C═O)—, and —(C═O)—. In certain embodiments, X and Y are each independently a moiety selected from the group consisting of —C—O—, —O—, —SO—, —SO.sub.2—, —OS(═O).sub.2O—, —OS(═O)O—, —S(═O)O—, —(CR.sup.5aR.sup.5b)—, —(C═O)—O—, —O—(C═O)—, and —(C═O)—. In certain embodiments, X and Y are each independently a moiety selected from the group consisting of —C—O—, —O—, —(CR.sup.5aR.sup.5b)—, —NR.sup.6—, —NR.sup.7SO.sub.2—, —(C═O)—O—, —O—(C═O)—, and —(C═O)—. In certain embodiments, X and Y are each independently a moiety selected from the group consisting of —C—O—, —O—, —OP(═O)(OR.sup.8)O—, —OP(═O)(H)O—, —OP(OH)O—, —(C═O)—O—, —O—(C═O)—, and —(C═O)—. In certain embodiments, X and Y are each independently a moiety selected from the group consisting of —C—O—, —O—, —(C═O)—O—, —O—(C═O)—, —(C═O)—, —Si(═O)—, —Si(R.sup.8).sub.2—, —Ge(═O)—, and —Ge(R.sup.8).sub.2—.

(25) In certain embodiments, each occurrence of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, aralkyl, (heterocyclo)alkyl, (heteroaryl)alkyl, (amino)alkyl, (alkylamino)alkyl, (dialkylamino)alkyl, (carboxamido)alkyl, (cyano)alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, heteroalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkoxy, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heterocyclo, and optionally substituted heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, each occurrence of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, and aralkyl. In certain embodiments, each occurrence of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is independently selected from the group consisting of (heterocyclo)alkyl, (heteroaryl)alkyl, (amino)alkyl, (alkylamino)alkyl, (dialkylamino)alkyl, (carboxamido)alkyl, (cyano)alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, heteroalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkoxy, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heterocyclo, and optionally substituted heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, any two adjacent occurrences of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together with the atom to which they are attached form a 3- to 8-membered optionally substituted cycloalkyl, a 3- to 8-membered heterocyclo, a 3- to 8-membered optionally substituted aromatic, or a 3- to 8-membered heteroaromatic.

(26) In certain embodiments, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, aralkyl, (heterocyclo)alkyl, (heteroaryl)alkyl, (amino)alkyl, (alkylamino)alkyl, (dialkylamino)alkyl, (carboxamido)alkyl, (cyano)alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, heteroalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heterocyclo, and optionally substituted heteroaryl.

(27) In certain embodiments, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, and hydroxyl. In certain embodiments, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, aralkyl, (heterocyclo)alkyl, (heteroaryl)alkyl, (amino)alkyl, (alkylamino)alkyl, (dialkylamino)alkyl, (carboxamido)alkyl, (cyano)alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, and heteroalkyl. In certain embodiments, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heterocyclo, and optionally substituted heteroaryl.

(28) In certain embodiments, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, aralkyl, (heterocyclo)alkyl, (heteroaryl)alkyl, (amino)alkyl, (alkylamino)alkyl, (dialkylamino)alkyl, (carboxamido)alkyl, (cyano)alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, and heteroalkyl. In certain embodiments, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heterocyclo, and optionally substituted heteroaryl.

(29) In one embodiment, R.sup.8 is selected from a group consisting alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, carbonyl, alkoxyl, and optionally substituted forms thereof.

(30) It is to be understood that various combinations and subcombinations of the aforementioned variables and moieties are contemplated.

(31) In certain embodiments, a polyolefin catalyst includes a solid catalyst component comprising an aluminum alkyl, a metal component, and an electron donor. In one embodiment, the electron donor is a compound having a form of any of Formulas I, II, III, IV, or V. In one embodiment, the metal component is titanium. In other embodiments, other suitable metals may be used. In one embodiment, the polyolefin catalyst further includes a support. The metal component and the electron donor may form a catalyst disposed on the support (e.g., a MgCl.sub.2 support). In one embodiment, the support includes magnesium (e.g., in a form of an oxide). In certain embodiments, the aluminum alkyl comprises trietylaluminium (TEAL).

(32) In one embodiment, the polyolefin catalyst has an activity of greater than 20 kg/g.Math.hr. In one embodiment, the polyolefin catalyst has an activity of greater than 10 kg/g.Math.hr. In one embodiment, the polyolefin catalyst has an activity of greater than 20 kg/g.Math.hr. In one embodiment, the polyolefin catalyst has an activity of greater than 30 kg/g.Math.hr. In one embodiment, the polyolefin catalyst has an activity of greater than 35 kg/g.Math.hr.

(33) In one embodiment, the polyolefin catalyst is adapted to produce polypropylene having a polydispersity index (PI) of greater than 2. In one embodiment, the polyolefin catalyst is adapted to produce polypropylene having a PI of greater than 2.5. In one embodiment, the polyolefin catalyst is adapted to produce polypropylene having a PI of greater than 3.

(34) In one embodiment, the polyolefin catalyst is adapted to produce polypropylene having a xylene solubles content of less than 4% XS. In one embodiment, the polyolefin catalyst is adapted to produce polypropylene having a xylene solubles content of less than 6% XS. In one embodiment, the polyolefin catalyst is adapted to produce polypropylene having a xylene solubles content of less than 8% XS.

(35) In one embodiment, the polyolefin catalyst is adapted to produce polypropylene having a melt flow index of greater than 0.5 g/10 min. In one embodiment, the polyolefin catalyst is adapted to produce polypropylene having a melt flow index of greater than 2 g/10 min. In one embodiment, the polyolefin catalyst is adapted to produce polypropylene having a melt flow index of greater than 5 g/10 min.

(36) In one embodiment, a method for producing a polyolefin catalyst includes forming a reaction mixture that includes a support and a titanium salt, and adding an electron donor to the reaction mixture to form the polyolefin catalyst. In some embodiments, the electron donor is a compound having a form of any of Formulas I, II, III, IV, or V. The resulting polyolefin catalyst, in some embodiments, has an activity of greater than 10 kg/g.Math.hr, greater than 20 kg/g.Math.hr, greater than 30 kg/g.Math.hr, or greater than 35 kg/g.Math.hr. In one embodiment, the support includes magnesium. In one embodiment, the support includes a magnesium halide. In one embodiment, the resulting polyolefin catalyst is adapted to produce polypropylene having a polydispersity index (PI) of greater than 3. The resulting polyolefin catalyst, in some embodiments, is adapted to produce polypropylene having a xylene solubles content of less than 4% XS, less than 6% XS, or less than 8% XS. The resulting polyolefin catalyst, in some embodiments, is adapted to produce polypropylene having a melt flow index of greater than 0.5 g/10 min, greater than 2 g/10 min, or greater than 5 g/10 min.

(37) In one embodiment, a method for producing polypropylene includes forming a reaction mixture by mixing a silane component with a catalyst component, with the catalyst component including a titanium catalyst and an electron donor (e.g., a compound having a form of any of Formulas I, II, III, IV, or V). The method further includes adding propylene to the reaction mixture to form a polypropylene batch, wherein a polydispersity index (PI) of the polypropylene batch is greater than 3, wherein a xylene solubles content of the polypropylene batch is less than 3% XS, and wherein a melt flow index of the polypropylene is greater than 5 g/10 min. In one embodiment, the catalyst component is in a form of a slurry.

(38) In one embodiment, a catalyst system (e.g., for use in olefinic polymerization) includes an organoaluminum compound, an organosilicon compound, and a compound having a form of any of Formulas I, II, III, IV, or V. In one embodiment, the organosilicon compound is of a form of R.sup.9.sub.kSi(OR.sup.10).sub.4-k, wherein R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are each hydrocarbon, and wherein k is 0, 1, 2, or 3. In one embodiment, the organosilicon compound is of a form of SiR.sup.9R.sup.10.sub.k(OR.sup.11).sub.3-k, wherein R.sup.9 is cyclic hydrocarbon or substituted cyclic hydrocarbon, wherein R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 are each hydrocarbon, and wherein k is 0, 1, or 2.

(39) In one embodiment, a method of polymerizing or copolymerizing an olefin monomer includes polymerizing or copolymerizing the olefin monomer in the presence of any of the catalyst systems described herein to form a polymer or copolymer, respectively. The method further includes recovering the polymer or copolymer. In one embodiment, the olefin monomer is ethylene, propylene, 1-butylene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-hexane, 1-octene, or a combination thereof, with homopolymers and copolymers thereof being contemplated.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES

(40) The following illustrative examples provide experimental conditions for producing and utilizing catalysts in accordance with some of the embodiments described herein. The examples set forth to assist in understanding the invention and should not, of course, be construed as specifically limiting the invention described and claimed herein. Such variations of the invention, including the substitution of all equivalents now known or later developed, which would be within the purview of those skilled in the art, and changes in formulation or minor changes in experimental design, are to be considered to fall within the scope of the invention incorporated herein.

Example 1: Internal Electron Donor Examples

(41) Compounds of Formulas II.a, III.a, III.b, IV.a, IV.b, IV.c, and V.a were used as internal electron donors in the Examples that follow:

(42) ##STR00021##

Example 2: Catalyst Preparation

(43) A reaction mixture was prepared by adding 3.3 g MgCl.sub.2, 0.8 g phthalic anhydride, 6.41 g epichlorohydrin, 6.70 g tributylphosphate, and 40.92 g toluene into a 250 mL reactor under nitrogen. The reaction mixture was heated to 60° C. and agitated at 400 rpm for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was subsequently cooled to −30° C., followed by the addition of 65 g TiCl.sub.4 with the reactor being maintained at −25° C. during the addition. The agitation was reduced to 200 rpm and the reactor was heated to 85° C. in two hours. The agitation was then increased to 400 rpm for 30 minutes, and 3.9 mmol of the compound of Formula II.a was added to the reaction mixture, stirred for one hour, and filtered. 38 mL toluene and an additional 2.08 mmol of the compound of Formula II.a were added into the reactor mixture, and the reaction mixture was heated to 85° C. at 400 rpm, stirred for one hour, and filtered. The heat was then turned off, and the reaction mixture was washed with 65 mL toluene and filtered. An additional 65 mL toluene was added, and the reaction mixture was maintained under nitrogen overnight without stirring. The toluene was removed by filtering, and 66.25 mL of 10 wt % TiCl.sub.4-toluene was added. The reaction mixture was heated to 95° C. at 400 rpm for one hour and filtered. The previous step was repeated 3 times at 110° C., 400 rpm, and 30 minutes each. The resulting catalyst was washed 4 times with 65 mL hexane and collected as a hexane slurry.

Example 3: Polymerization Procedure Using Formula II.a Compound

(44) Propylene polymerization was performed in a one gallon reactor. The reactor was purged at 100° C. under nitrogen for one hour. At room temperature, 1.5 mL of 25 wt % triethylaluminum in heptane was added into the reactor, followed by 0.94 mL of 0.0768 M cyclohexylmethyl dimethoxysilane, and followed by 7.0 mg of the catalyst of Example 2 as a 1 wt % hexane slurry. The reactor was charged with 4 standard liters (SL) H.sub.2, followed by 1300 g propylene. The reactor was heated to and held at 70° C. for one hour, followed by venting of the reactor and recovery of the polymer (polypropylene). The overall activity of the catalyst was 30.8 kg/g.Math.hr. The xylene solubles content of the resulting polypropylene was 3.09% XS. The melt flow index of the resulting polypropylene was 7 g/10 min. The polydispersity index of the resulting polypropylene was 3.83.

(45) In another batch prepared with the compound of Formula II.a as an internal donor under similar conditions, an overall activity of the catalyst was 30.7 kg/g.Math.hr. The xylene solubles content of the resulting polypropylene was 2.75% XS. The melt flow index of the resulting polypropylene was 8.7 g/10 min. The polydispersity index of the resulting polypropylene was 4.23.

(46) Propylene polymerization was again performed in a similar fashion as described in above, except that the reactor was charged with 40 standard liters H.sub.2 rather than 4 standard liters H.sub.2. An overall activity of the catalyst was 33.6 kg/g.Math.hr. The xylene solubles content of the resulting polypropylene was 4.09% XS. The melt flow index of the resulting polypropylene was 261 g/10 min. In another batch prepared under similar conditions, an overall activity of the catalyst was 37.4 kg/g.Math.hr. The xylene solubles content of the resulting polypropylene was 4.12% XS. The melt flow index of the resulting polypropylene was 205 g/10 min.

Example 4: Polymerization Procedure Using Formula III.a Compound

(47) In another batch prepared with the compound of Formula III.a as an internal donor under similar conditions described above with respect to Example 2, an overall activity of the catalyst was 14.3 kg/g.Math.hr. The xylene solubles content of the resulting polypropylene was 8.2% XS. The melt flow index of the resulting polypropylene was too high to be measured.

Example 5: Polymerization Procedure Using Formula III.b Compound

(48) In another batch prepared with the compound of Formula III.b as an internal donor under similar conditions, an overall activity of the catalyst was 16.3 kg/g.Math.hr. Xylene solubles content and melt flow index were not acquired.

Example 6: Polymerization Procedure Using Formula IV.a Compound

(49) In another batch prepared with the compound of Formula IV.a as an internal donor under similar conditions described above with respect to Example 2, an overall activity of the catalyst was 5.1 kg/g.Math.hr. Xylene solubles content and melt flow index were not acquired.

Example 7: Polymerization Procedure Using Formula IV.b Compound

(50) In another batch prepared with the compound of Formula IV.b as an internal donor under similar conditions described above with respect to Example 2, an overall activity of the catalyst was 12.4 kg/g.Math.hr. Xylene solubles content and melt flow index were not acquired.

Example 8: Polymerization Procedure Using Formula IV.c Compound

(51) In another batch prepared with the compound of Formula IV.c as an internal donor under similar conditions described above with respect to Example 2, an overall activity of the catalyst was 17.1 kg/g.Math.hr. The xylene solubles content of the resulting polypropylene was 6.3% XS. The melt flow index of the resulting polypropylene was 10.2 g/10 min.

Example 9: Polymerization Procedure Using Formula V.a Compound

(52) In another batch prepared with the compound of Formula V.a as an internal donor under similar conditions described above with respect to Example 2, an overall activity of the catalyst was 22.0 kg/g.Math.hr. The xylene solubles content of the resulting polypropylene was 5.2% XS. The melt flow index of the resulting polypropylene was 5.3 g/10 min. The polydispersity index of the resulting polypropylene was not measured.

(53) The words “example” or “exemplary” are used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the words “example” or “exemplary” is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X includes A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X includes A; X includes B; or X includes both A and B, then “X includes A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

(54) It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding the above description. The scope of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.