Patent ID: 6506859
Filing Date: 2003-01-14
Classification: C08F

Abstract:
A method for producing an activated catalyst composition in situ and producing polymers or copolymers therefrom comprising the steps of:(a) simultaneously contacting a composition having the formula MXZn with L and an activating cocatalyst; wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ag, and Au; X is selected from the group consisting of halides, hydride, triflate, acetates, borates, C1 through C12 alkyl, C1 through C12 alkoxy, C3 through C12 cycloalkyl, C3 through C12 cycloalkoxy, aryl, thiolates, carbon monoxide, cyanate, olefins, and any other moiety into which a monomer can insert; Z is selected from the group consisting of halides, hydride, triflate, acetates, borates, C1 through C12 alkyl, C1 through C12 alkoxy, C3 through C12 cycloalkyl, C3 through C12 cycloalkoxy, aryl, thiolates, carbon monoxide, cyanate, olefins, a neutral coordinating ligand, and any other moiety into which a monomer can insert; n equals 0, 1 or 2; L is selected from the group consisting of monodentate nitrogen-containing ligands and bidentate nitrogen-containing ligands; and, (b) contacting olefinic monomers with the activated catalyst composition under polymerization conditions; wherein said olefinic monomers are selected from the group consisting of acyclic aliphatic olefins, olefins having a hydrocarbyl polar functionality, and mixtures of olefins having at least one olefin with a hydrocarbyl polar functionality and at least one acyclic aliphatic olefin; whereby the polymers or copolymers are formed; wherein said activating cocatalyst is selected from the group consisting of alkylalumoxanes, aluminum alkyls, aluminum halides, alkyl aluminum halides, Lewis acids, alkylating agents and mixtures thereof, said Lewis acids being those compounds corresponding to the formula: Râ€³â€³3B, wherein Râ€³â€³ independently each occurrence is selected from hydrogen, silyl, hydrocarbyl, halohydrocarbyl, alkoxide, aryloxide, fluoroaryl, amide or combinations thereof, said Râ€³â€³ having up to 30 non-hydrogen atoms.