This invention relates to metallocene compositions and their use in the preparation of catalyst systems for olefin polymerization, particularly propylene polymerization. The metallocene compositions may be represented by the formula: whereinM1 is selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten;R1 and R2 are identical or different, and are one of a hydrogen atom, a C1-C10 alkyl group, a C1-C10 alkoxy group, a C6-C10 aryl group, a C6-C10 aryloxy group, a C2-C40 alkenyl group, a C7-C40 arylalkyl group, a C7-C40 alkylaryl group, a C8-C40 arylalkenyl group, an OH group or a halogen atom, or a conjugated diene which is optionally substituted with one or more hydrocarbyl, tri(hydrocarbyl)silyl groups or tri(hydrocarbyl)silylhydrocarbyl groups, said diene having up to 30 atoms not counting hydrogen;R3 are identical or different and are each a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C1-C10 alkyl group which may be halogenated, a C6-C10 aryl group which may be halogenated, a C2-C10 alkenyl group, a C7-C40-arylalkyl group, a C7-C40 alkylaryl group, a C8-C40 arylalkenyl group, a &#8212;NR&#8242;2, &#8212;SR&#8242;, &#8212;OR&#8242;, &#8212;OSiR&#8242;3 or &#8212;PR&#8242;2 radical, wherein R&#8242; is one of a halogen atom, a C1-C10 alkyl group, or a C6-C10 aryl group;R4 to R7 are identical or different and are hydrogen, as defined for R3 or two or more adjacent radicals R5 to R7 together with the atoms connecting them form one or more rings;R13 is &#8212;B(R14)&#8212;, &#8212;Al(R14)&#8212;, &#8212;Ge&#8212;, &#8212;Sn&#8212;, &#8212;O&#8212;, &#8212;S&#8212;, &#8212;SO&#8212;, &#8212;SO2&#8212;, &#8212;N(R14)&#8212;, &#8212;CO&#8212;, &#8212;P(R14)&#8212;, or &#8212;P(O)(R14)&#8212;, or an amidoborane radical;wherein:R14, R15 and R16 are identical or different and are a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C1-C20 alkyl group, a C1-C20 fluoroalkyl or silaalkyl group, a C6-C30 aryl group, a C6-C30 fluoroaryl group, a C1-C20 alkoxy group, a C2-C20 alkenyl group, a C7-C40 arylalkyl group, a C8-C40 arylalkenyl group, a C7-C40 alkylaryl group, or R14 and R15, together with the atoms binding them, form a cyclic ring; or, R13 is represented by the formula: whereinR17 to R24 are as defined for R1 and R2, or two or more adjacent radicals R17 to R24, including R20 and R21, together with the atoms connecting them form one or more rings; M2 is one or more carbons, silicon, germanium or tin;R8, R10 and R12 are identical or different and have the meanings stated for R4 to R7;R9 and R11 are identical or different and are a Group 14 radical having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms or are each primary, secondary or tertiary butyl groups, aryl groups, isopropyl groups, fluoroalkyl groups, trialkyl silyl groups, or other groups of similar size.

FIELD

This invention relates to metallocene compositions and their use in the preparation of catalyst systems for olefin polymerization, particularly propylene polymerization.

BACKGROUND

The use of metallocene compositions in olefin polymerization is well known. Metallocenes containing substituted, bridged indenyl derivatives are noted for their ability to produce isotactic propylene polymers having high isotacticity and narrow molecular weight distribution. Considerable effort has been made toward obtaining metallocene produced propylene polymers having ever-higher molecular weight and melting point, while maintaining suitable catalyst activity.

Toward this end researchers have found that there is a direct relationship between the way in which a metallocene is substituted, and the molecular structure of the resulting polymer. For the substituted, bridged indenyl type metallocenes, it is now well established that the type and arrangement of substituents on the indenyl groups, as well as the type of bridge connecting the indenyl groups, determines such polymer attributes as molecular weight and melting point. Unfortunately, it is impossible at this time to accurately correlate specific substitution patterns with specific polymer attributes, though trends may be identified.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,644 describes certain metallocenes containing aryl-substituted indenyl derivatives as ligands, which are said to provide propylene polymers having high isotacticity, narrow molecular weight distribution and very high molecular weight.

Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,936,053 describes certain metallocene compounds said to be useful for producing high molecular weight propylene polymers. These metallocenes have a specific hydrocarbon substituent at the 2 position and an unsubstituted aryl substituent at the 4 position, on each indenyl group of the metallocene compound.

WO 98/40419 and WO 99/42497 both describe certain supported catalyst systems for producing propylene polymers having high melting point. Metallocene compositions and their activators are often combined with a support material in order to obtain a catalyst system that is less likely to cause reactor fouling. However, it is known that supported metallocene catalyst systems tend to result in a polymer having lower melting point than would otherwise be obtained if the metallocene were not supported.

Much of the current research in this area has been directed toward using metallocene catalyst systems under commercially relevant process conditions, to obtain propylene polymers having melting points higher than known metallocene catalyst systems and close to, or as high as, propylene polymers obtained using conventional, Ziegler-Natta catalyst systems, i.e., 160 C. or higher. The present inventors have discovered metallocene compounds that not only have this capability, but retain it upon supportation.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to novel metallocene compositions capable of providing propylene polymers having high melting point and molecular weight. The present invention further relates to metallocene catalyst systems comprising one or more of these compositions and one or more activators or cocatalysts, and optionally, support material, and to the use of such metallocene catalyst systems in olefin polymerization, particularly propylene polymer polymerization.

DESCRIPTION

The metallocenes of the present invention are represented by the formula:

M 1 is selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten, preferably zirconium, hafnium or titanium, most preferably zirconium;

R 1 and R 2 are identical or different, and are one of a hydrogen atom, a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group, a C 1 -C 10 alkoxy group, a C 6 -C 10 aryl group, a C 6 -C 10 aryloxy group, a C 2 -C 10 alkenyl group, a C 2 -C 40 alkenyl group, a C 7 -C 40 arylalkyl group, a C 7 -C 40 alkylaryl group, a C 8 -C 40 arylalkenyl group, an OH group or a halogen atom; R 1 and R 2 may also be joined together to form an alkanediyl group or a conjugated C 4-40 diene ligand which is coordinated to M 1 in a metallocyclopentene fashion; R 1 and R 2 may also be identical or different conjugated dienes, optionally substituted with one or more hydrocarbyl, tri(hydrocarbyl)silyl groups or hydrocarbyl, tri(hydrocarbyl)silylhydrocarbyl groups, said dienes having up to 30 atoms not counting hydrogen and forming a complex with M, examples include 1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiene, 1,3-pentadiene, 2-methyl-1,3-pentadiene, 2,4-hexadiene, 1-phenyl-1,3-pentadiene, 1,4-dibenzyl-1,3-butadiene, 1,4-ditolyl-1,3-butadiene, 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,3-butadiene, and 1,4-dinaphthyl-1,3-butadiene;

R 3 are identical or different and are each a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group which may be halogenated, a C 6 -C 10 aryl group which may be halogenated, a C 2 -C 10 alkenyl group, a C 7 -C 40 -arylalkyl group, a C 7 -C 40 alkylaryl group, a C 8 -C 40 arylalkenyl group, a NR 2 , SR , OR , OSiR 3 or PR 2 radical, wherein R is one of a halogen atom, a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group, or a C 6 -C 10 aryl group; preferably R 3 is not a hydrogen atom;

preferably each R 3 is identical and is a fluorine, chlorine or bromine, atom, a C 1 -C 4 alkyl group which may be halogenated, a C 6 -C 8 aryl group which may be halogenated, a NR 2 , SR , OR , OSiR 3 or PR 2 radical, wherein R is one of a chlorine atom, a C 1 -C 4 alkyl group, or a C 6 -C 8 aryl group;

more preferably, R 3 are identical and are each a C 3 alkyl group, most preferably isopropyl groups;

alternatively, R 3 is a C 1 or C 2 alkyl group;

R 4 to R 7 are identical or different and are hydrogen, or are as defined for R 3 or two or more adjacent radicals R 5 to R 7 together with the atoms connecting them form one or more rings, preferably a 6-membered ring, preferably 4-8 membered ring;

or, R 13 is represented by the formula:

R 17 to R 24 are as defined for R 1 and R 2 , or two or more adjacent radicals R 17 to R 24 , including R 20 and R 21 , together with the atoms connecting them form one or more rings; preferably, R 17 to R 24 are hydrogen;

M 2 is one or more carbons, silicon, germanium or tin, preferably silicon;

R 13 may also be an amidoborane-type radical such as is described in WO00/20426 (herein fully incorporated by reference);

R 8 , R 10 and R 12 are identical or different and have the meanings stated for R 4 to R 7 ; and

R 9 and R 11 are identical or different and are a Group IVA radical having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms or are each primary, secondary or tertiary butyl groups, aryl groups, isopropyl groups, fluoroalkyl groups, trialkyl silyl groups, or other groups of similar size, preferably a tertiary butyl group.

In another embodiment, the metallocenes of the present invention are represented by the formula:

M 1 is selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten;

R 1 and R 2 are identical or different, and are one of a hydrogen atom, a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group, a C 1 -C 10 alkoxy group, a C 6 -C 10 aryl group, a C 6 -C 10 aryloxy group, a C 2 -C 10 alkenyl group, a C 2 -C 40 alkenyl group, a C 7 -C 40 arylalkyl group, a C 7 -C 40 alkylaryl group, a C 8 -C 40 arylalkenyl group, an OH group or a halogen atom, or a conjugated diene which is optionally substituted with one or more hydrocarbyl, tri(hydrocarbyl)silyl groups or hydrocarbyl, tri(hydrocarbyl)silylhydrocarbyl groups, said diene having up to 30 atoms not counting hydrogen;

R 3 are identical or different and are each a halogen atom, a C 3 -C 10 alkyl group which may be halogenated, a C 6 -C 10 aryl group which may be halogenated, a C 2 -C 10 alkenyl group, a C 7 -C 40 -arylalkyl group, a C 7 -C 40 alkylaryl group, a C 8 -C 40 arylalkenyl group, a NR 2 , SR , OR , OSiR 3 or PR 2 radical, wherein R is one of a halogen atom, a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group, or a C 6 -C 10 aryl group;

R 4 to R 7 are identical or different and are hydrogen, as defined for R 3 or two or more adjacent radicals R 5 to R 7 together with the atoms connecting them form one or more rings;

or, R 13 is represented by the formula:

R 17 to R 24 are as defined for R 1 and R 2 , or two or more adjacent radicals R 17 to R 24 , including R 20 and R 21 , together with the atoms connecting them form one or more rings;

M 2 is one or more carbons, silicon, germanium or tin;

R 8 , R 10 and R 12 are identical or different and have the meanings stated for R 4 to R 7 ; and

R 9 and R 11 are identical or different and are each a Group IVA radical having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms or are each a primary, secondary or tertiary butyl group, an aryl group, an isopropyl group, trialkyl silyl group, or a fluoroalkyl group.

In another embodiment the metallocenes of this invention are represented by the formula:

M 1 is selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten;

R 1 and R 2 are identical or different, and are one of a hydrogen atom, a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group, a C 1 -C 10 alkoxy group, a C 6 -C 10 aryl group, a C 6 -C 10 aryloxy group, a C 2 -C 10 alkenyl group, a C 2 -C 40 alkenyl group, a C 7 -C 40 arylalkyl group, a C 7 -C 40 alkylaryl group, a C 8 -C 40 arylalkenyl group, an OH group or a halogen atom, or a conjugated diene which is optionally substituted with one or more hydrocarbyl, tri(hydrocarbyl)silyl groups or hydrocarbyl, tri(hydrocarbyl)silylhydrocarbyl groups, said diene having up to 30 atoms not counting hydrogen;

R 3 are identical or different and are each a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group which may be halogenated, a C 6 -C 10 aryl group which may be halogenated, a C 2 -C 10 alkenyl group, a C 7 -C 40 -arylalkyl group, a C 7 -C 40 alkylaryl group, a C 8 -C 40 arylalkenyl group, a NR 2 , SR , OR, OSiR 3 or PR 2 radical, wherein: R is one of a halogen atom, a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group, or a C 6 -C 10 aryl group;

R 4 to R 7 are identical or different and are hydrogen, as defined for R 3 or two or more adjacent radicals R 5 to R 7 together with the atoms connecting them form one or more rings;

R 13 is

or, R 13 is represented by the formula:

R 17 to R 24 are as defined for R 1 and R 2 , or two or more adjacent radicals R 17 to R 24 , including R 20 and R 21 , together with the atoms connecting them form one or more rings;

M 2 is one or more carbons, silicon, germanium or tin;

R 8 , R 10 and R 12 are identical or different and have the meanings stated for R 4 to R 7 ; and

R 9 and R 11 are identical or different and are each primary, secondary or tertiary butyl groups.

In another embodiment the metallocenes of this invention are represented by the formula:

M 1 is selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten;

R 1 and R 2 are identical or different, and are one of a hydrogen atom, a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group, a C 1 -C 10 alkoxy group, a C 6 -C 10 aryl group, a C 6 -C 10 aryloxy group, a C 2 -C 10 alkenyl group, a C 2 -C 40 alkenyl group, a C 7 -C 40 arylalkyl group, a C 7 -C 40 alkylaryl group, a C 8 -C 40 arylalkenyl group, an OH group or a halogen atom, or a conjugated diene which is optionally substituted with one or more hydrocarbyl, tri(hydrocarbyl)silyl groups or hydrocarbyl, tri(hydrocarbyl)silylhydrocarbyl groups, said diene having up to 30 atoms not counting hydrogen;

R 3 are identical and are each a C 1 or C 2 alkyl group, a C 3 alkyl group or a C 4 -C 10 alkyl group;

R 4 to R 7 are identical or different and are hydrogen, as defined for R 3 or two or more adjacent radicals R 5 to R 7 together with the atoms connecting them form one or more rings;

R 13 is

or, R 13 is represented by the formula:

R 17 to R 24 are as defined for R 1 and R 2 , or two or more adjacent radicals R 17 to R 24 , including R 20 and R 21 , together with the atoms connecting them form one or more rings;

M 2 is one or more carbons, silicon, germanium or tin;

R 8 , R 10 and R 12 are identical or different and have the meanings stated for R 4 to R 7 ; and

R 9 and R 11 are identical or different and are each primary, secondary or tertiary butyl groups.

In another embodiment the metallocenes of this invention are represented by the formula:

M 1 is selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten;

R 1 and R 2 are identical or different, and are one of a hydrogen atom, a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group, a C 1 -C 10 alkoxy group, a C 6 -C 10 aryl group, a C 6 -C 10 aryloxy group, a C 2 -C 10 alkenyl group, a C 2 -C 40 alkenyl group, a C 7 -C 40 arylalkyl group, a C 7 -C 40 alkylaryl group, a C 8 -C 40 arylalkenyl group, an OH group or a halogen atom, or a conjugated diene which is optionally substituted with one or more hydrocarbyl, tri(hydrocarbyl)silyl groups or hydrocarbyl, tri(hydrocarbyl)silylhydrocarbyl groups, said diene having up to 30 atoms not counting hydrogen;

R 4 to R 7 are identical or different and are hydrogen, as defined for R 3 or two or more adjacent radicals R 5 to R 7 together with the atoms connecting them form one or more rings;

R 13 is represented by the formula:

R 17 to R 24 are as defined for R 1 and R 2 , or two or more adjacent radicals R 17 to R 24 , including R 20 and R 21 , together with the atoms connecting them form one or more rings;

M 2 is one or more carbons, silicon, germanium or tin;

R 8 , R 10 and R 12 are identical or different and have the meanings stated for R 4 to R 7 ; and

R 9 and R 11 are identical or different and are each a Group IVA radical having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a primary, secondary or tertiary butyl group, an aryl group, an isopropyl group, trialkyl silyl group, or a fluoroalkyl group.

In another embodiment the metallocenes of this invention are represented by the formula:

M 1 is selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten;

R 1 and R 2 are identical or different, and are one of a hydrogen atom, a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group, a C 1 -C 10 alkoxy group, a C 6 -C 10 aryl group, a C 6 -C 10 aryloxy group, a C 2 -C 10 alkenyl group, a C 2 -C 40 alkenyl group, a C 7 -C 40 arylalkyl group, a C 7 -C 40 alkylaryl group, a C 8 -C 40 arylalkenyl group, an OH group or a halogen atom, or a conjugated diene which is optionally substituted with one or more hydrocarbyl, tri(hydrocarbyl)silyl groups or hydrocarbyl, tri(hydrocarbyl)silylhydrocarbyl groups, said diene having up to 30 atoms not counting hydrogen;

R 3 are identical and are each a C 1 -C 4 alkyl group;

R 4 to R 7 are identical or different and are hydrogen, as defined for R 3 or two or more adjacent radicals R 5 to R 7 together with the atoms connecting them form one or more rings;

R 13 is represented by the formula:

R 17 to R 24 are as defined for R 1 and R 2 , or two or more adjacent radicals R 17 to R 24 , including R 20 and R 21 , together with the atoms connecting them form one or more rings;

R 8 , R 10 and R 12 are identical or different and have the meanings stated for R 4 to R 7 ; and

R 9 and R 11 are identical or different and are each primary, secondary or tertiary butyl groups.

As utilized herein, the term alkyl , alone or in combination, means a straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl radical. Examples of such radicals include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, iso-amyl, hexyl, octyl and the like. The term alkenyl means a straight-chain or branched-chain hydrocarbon radial having one or more double bonds. Examples of suitable alkenyl radicals include, but are not limited to, ethenyl, propenyl, allyl, 1,4-butadienyl and the like. The term alkoxy means an alkyl ether radical wherein the term alkyl is as defined above. Examples of suitable alkyl ether radicals include, but are not limited to, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, iso-butoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy and the like. The term aryl means a phenyl, azulenyl, or naphthyl radical and the like which optionally contains a heteroatom and/or carries one or more substituents, for example, alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, amino, nitro, etc.

The following are particularly preferred metallocenes:

9-silafluorendiyl- refers to the substituent:

The metallocenes of this invention are prepared according to general techniques known from the literature, for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,789,634 and 5,840,644 (both entirely incorporated herein by reference).

Generally, metallocenes of this type are synthesized as shown below (R 4 H) where (a) is an aryl-coupling reaction between a 4-halosubstituted indene and an aryl Grignard reagent catalyzed by NiCl2(PPh3)2 in ether-type solvents at room temperature to reflux. Product is usually purified by column chromatography or distillation. (b) is a deprotonation via a metal salt of an alkyl anion (e.g. n-BuLi) to form an indenide followed by reaction with an appropriate bridging precursor (e.g. Me 2 SiCl 2 ). Reactions are usually done in ether-type solvents at ambient temperatures. The final product is purified by column chromatography or distillation; and (c) is double deprotonation via an alkyl anion (e.g. n-BuLi) to form a dianion followed by reaction with a metal halide (e.g. ZrCl 4 ). The reactions are usually done in ether-type or aromatic solvents at ambient temperatures. The final products are obtained by recrystallization of the crude solids.

The metallocenes of this invention are highly active catalyst components for the polymerization of olefins. The metallocenes are preferably employed as chiral racemates. However, it is also possible to use the pure enantiomers in the ( ) or ( ) form. The pure enantiomers allow an optically active polymer to be prepared. However, the meso form of the metallocenes should be removed, since the polymerization-active center (the metal atom) in these compounds is no longer chiral due to the mirror symmetry at the central metal atom and it is therefore not possible to produce a highly isotactic polymer. If the meso form is not removed, atactic polymer is formed in addition to isotactic polymer. For certain applications this may be entirely desirable.

Rac/meso metallocene isomer separation is facilitated when metallocenes containing certain bridging groups are prepared. We have found this to be true when the bridging group, R 13 , is represented by the formula:

wherein M 2 and R 17 to R 24 are as defined above.

Metallocenes are generally used in combination with some form of activator in order to create an active catalyst system. The terms activator and cocatalyst are used interchangeably and are defined herein to mean any compound or component, or combination of compounds or components, capable of enhancing the ability of one or more metallocenes to polymerize olefins. Alklyalumoxanes such as methylalumoxane (MAO) are commonly used as metallocene activators. Generally alkylalumoxanes contain 5 to 40 of the repeating units:

R(AlRO) x AlR 2 for linear species

(AlRO) x for cyclic species

where R is a C 1 -C 8 alkyl including mixed alkyls. Compounds in which R is methyl are particularly preferred. Alumoxane solutions, particularly methylalumoxane solutions, may be obtained from commercial vendors as solutions having various concentrations. There are a variety of methods for preparing alumoxane, non-limiting examples of which are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,665,208, 4,952,540, 5,091,352, 5,206,199, 5,204,419, 4,874,734, 4,924,018, 4,908,463, 4,968,827, 5,308,815, 5,329,032, 5,248,801, 5,235,081, 5,103,031 and EP-A-0 561 476, EP-B1-0 279 586, EP-A-0 594-218 and WO 94/10180, each fully incorporated herein by reference.

Ionizing activators may also be used to activate metallocenes. These activators are neutral or ionic, or are compounds such as tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(pentaflurophenyl)borate, which ionize the neutral metallocene compound. Such ionizing compounds may contain an active proton, or some other cation associated with, but not coordinated or only loosely coordinated to, the remaining ion of the ionizing compound. Combinations of activators may also be used, for example, alumoxane and ionizing activator combination, see for example, WO 94/07928.

Descriptions of ionic catalysts for coordination polymerization comprised of metallocene cations activated by non-coordinating anions appear in the early work in EP-A-0 277 003, EP-A-0 277 004 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,198,401 and WO-A-92/00333 (each incorporated herein by reference). These teach desirable methods of preparation wherein metallocenes are protonated by an anion precursor such that an alkyl/hydride group is abstracted from a transition metal to make it both cationic and charge-balanced by the non-coordinating anion. Suitable ionic salts include tetrakis-substituted borate or aluminum salts having fluorided aryl-constituents such as phenyl, biphenyl and napthyl.

The term non-coordinating anion (NCA) means an anion which either does not coordinate to said cation or which is only weakly coordinated to said cation thereby remaining sufficiently labile to be displaced by a neutral Lewis base. Compatible non-coordinating anions are those which are not degraded to neutrality when the initially formed complex decomposes. Further, the anion will not transfer an anionic substituent or fragment to the cation so as to cause it to form a neutral four coordinate metallocene compound and a neutral by-product from the anion. Non-coordinating anions useful in accordance with this invention are those which are compatible, stabilize the metallocene cation in the sense of balancing its ionic charge at 1, yet retain sufficient lability to permit displacement by an ethylenically or acetylenically unsaturated monomer during polymerization.

The use of ionizing ionic compounds not containing an active proton but capable of producing both the active metallocene cation and a non-coordinating anion is also known. See, for example, EP-A-0 426 637 and EP-A-0 573 403 (each incorporated herein by reference). An additional method of making the ionic catalysts uses ionizing anion precursors which are initially neutral Lewis acids but form the cation and anion upon ionizing reaction with the metallocene compounds, for example the use of tris(pentafluorophenyl) borane. See EP-A-0 520 732 (incorporated herein by reference). Ionic catalysts for addition polymerization can also be prepared by oxidation of the metal centers of transition metal compounds by anion precursors containing metallic oxidizing groups along with the anion groups, see EP-A-0 495 375 (incorporated herein by reference).

Where the metal ligands include halogen moieties (for example, bis-ciclopentadienyl zirconium dichloride) which are not capable of ionizing abstraction under standard conditions, they can be converted via known alkylation reactions with organometallic compounds such as lithium or aluminum hydrides or alkyls, alkylalumoxanes, Grignard reagents, etc. See EP-A-0 500 944 and EP-A1- 0 570 982 ( each incorporated herein by reference) for in situ processes describing the reaction of alkyl aluminum compounds with dihalo-substituted metallocene compounds prior to or with the addition of activating anionic compounds.

When the activator for the metallocene supported catalyst composition is a NCA, preferably the NCA is first added to the support composition followed by the addition of the metallocene catalyst. When the activator is MAO, preferably the MAO and metallocene catalyst are dissolved together in solution. The support is then contacted with the MAO/metallocene catalyst solution. Other methods and order of addition will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The catalyst systems used to prepare the compositions of this invention are preferably supported using a porous particulate material, such as for example, talc, inorganic oxides, inorganic chlorides such as magnesium chloride, and resinous materials such as polyolefin or polymeric compounds.

Preferably, the support materials are porous inorganic oxide materials, which include those from the Periodic Table of Elements of Groups 2, 3, 4, 5, 13 or 14 metal/metalloid oxides. Silica, alumina, silica-alumina, and mixtures thereof are particularly preferable. Other inorganic oxides that may be employed either alone or in combination with the silica, alumina or silica-alumina are magnesia, titania, zirconia, and the like.

Preferably the support material is porous silica which has a surface area in the range of from 10 to 700 m 2 /g, a total pore volume in the range of from 0.1 to 4.0 cc/g and an average particle size in the range of from 10 to 500 m. More preferably, the surface area is in the range of from 50 to 500 m 2 /g, the pore volume is in the range of from 0.5 to 3.5 cc/g and the average particle size is in the range of from 20 to 200 m. Most desirably the surface area is in the range of from 100 to 400 m 2 /g, the pore volume is in the range of from 0.8 to 3.0 cc/g and the average particle size is in the range of from 30 to 100 m. The average pore size of typical porous support materials is in the range of from 10 to 1000 . Preferably, a support material is used that has an average pore diameter of from 50 to 500 , and most desirably from 75 to 350 . It may be particularly desirable to dehydrate the silica at a temperature of from 100 C. to 800 C. anywhere from 3 to 24 hours.

The metallocene, activator and support material may be combined in any number of ways. More than one metallocene may also be used. Examples of suitable support techniques are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,808,561 and 4,701,432 (each fully incorporated herein by reference.). Preferably the metallocenes and activator are combined and their reaction product supported on the porous support material as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,894 and WO 94/ 28034, WO 96/00243, and WO 96/00245 (each fully incorporated herein by reference.) Alternatively, the metallocenes may be preactivated separately and then combined with the support material either separately or together. If the metallocenes are separately supported, then preferably, they are dried then combined as a powder before use in polymerization.

Regardless of whether the metallocene(s) and their activator are separately precontacted or whether the metallocene(s) and activator are combined at once, in some instances it may be preferred that the total volume of reaction solution applied to porous support is less than 4 times the total pore volume of the porous support, more preferably less than 3 times the total pore volume of the porous support and even more preferably in the range of from more than 1 to less than 2.5 times the total pore volume of the porous support. Procedures for measuring the total pore volume of porous support are well known in the art. One such method is described in Volume 1, Experimental Methods in Catalyst Research, Academic Press, 1968, pages 67-96.

The supported catalyst system may be used directly in polymerization or the catalyst system may be prepolymerized using methods well known in the art. For details regarding prepolymerization, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,923,833 and 4,921,825, and EP 0 279 863 and EP 0 354 893 (each fully incorporated herein by reference).

The metallocene catalyst systems described herein are useful in the polymerization of all types of olefins. This includes polymerization processes which produce homopolymers, copolymers, terpolymers and the like as well as block copolymers and impact copolymers. These polymerization processes may be carried out in solution, in suspension or in the gas phase, continuously or batchwise, or any combination thereof, in one or more steps, preferably at a temperature of from 60 C. to 200 C, more preferably from 30 C. to 80 C., particularly preferably from 50 C. to 80 C. The polymerization or copolymerization is carried out using olefins of the formula R a CH CH R b . In this formula, R a and R b are identical or different and are a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical having 1 to 14 carbon atoms. However, R a and R b may alternatively form a ring together with the carbon atoms connecting them. Examples of such olefins are ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-octene, norbornene and norbornadiene. In particular, propylene and ethylene are polymerized. The metallocenes and metallocenes catalyst systems of this invention are most suitable for the polymerization of propylene based polymers.

If necessary, hydrogen is added as a molecular-weight regulator and/or in order to increase the activity. The overall pressure polymerization system is from 0.5 to 100 bar. Polymerization is preferably carried out in the industrially particularly interesting pressure range from 5 to 64 bar.

Typically, the metallocene is used in the polymerization in a concentration, based on the transition metal, of from 10 3 to 10 8 mol, preferably from 10 4 to 10 7 mol, of transition metal per dm 3 of solvent or per dm 3 of reactor volume. When alumoxane is used as the cocatalyst, it is used in a concentration of from 10 5 to 10 1 mol, preferably from 10 4 to 10 2 mol, per dm 3 of solvent or per dm 3 of reactor volume. The other cocatalysts mentioned are used in an approximately equimolar amount with respect to the metallocene. In principle, however, higher concentrations are also possible.

If the polymerization is carried out as a suspension or solution polymerization, an inert solvent which is customary for the Ziegler low-pressure process is typically used for example, the polymerization is carried out in an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon; examples of which are propane, butane, hexane, heptane, isooctane, cyclohexane and methylcyclohexane. It is also possible to use a benzene or hydrogenated diesel oil fraction. Toluene can also be used. The polymerization is preferably carried out in the liquid monomer. If inert solvents are used, the monomers are metered in gas or liquid form.

Before addition of the catalyst, in particular of the supported catalyst system, another alkylaluminum compound, such as, for example, trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, triisobutylaluminum, trioctylaluminum or isoprenylaluminum, may additionally be introduced into the reactor in order to render the polymerization system inert (for example to remove catalyst poisons present in the olefin). This compound is added to the polymerization system in a concentration of from 100 to 0.01 mmol of Al per kg of reactor contents. Preference is given to triisobutylaluminum and triethylaluminum in a concentration of from 10 to 0.1 mmol of Al per kg of reactor contents. This allows the molar Al/M 1 ratio to be selected at a low level in the synthesis of a supported catalyst system.

In principle, however, the use of further substances for catalysis of the polymerization reaction is unnecessary, i.e. the systems according to the invention can be used as the only catalysts for the polymerization of olefins.

The process according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that the metallocenes described can give propylene polymers of very high molecular weight, melting point, and very high stereotacticity, with high catalyst activities in the industrially particularly interesting polymerization temperature range of from 50 C. to 80 C.

The catalyst systems of this invention are capable of providing polymers, particularly propylene homopolymers and copolymers, of exceptionally high molecular weight and melting point even when used in processes under commercially relevant conditions of temperature, pressure and catalyst activity. Preferred melting points are at least as high as 155 C., more preferably at least 157 C., even more preferably at least 157 C., and most preferably 160 C. or more.

The catalyst systems of this invention are also capable of providing propylene polymers having high stereospecificity and regiospecificity. Isotactic propylene polymers prepared according to the processes of this invention may have a proportion of 2,1-inserted propene units of less than 0.5%, at a triad tacticity of greater than 98%. Preferably there is no measurable proportion of 2,1-inserted propene units. Triad tacticity is determined using 13 C-NMR according to J. C. Randall, Polymer Sequence Determination: Carbon-13 NMR Method, Academic Press New York 1978. Polymers prepared using the processes of described herein find uses in all applications including fibers, injection-molded parts, films, pipes etc.

While the present invention has been described and illustrated by reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, that the invention lends itself to many different variations not illustrated herein. For these reasons, then, reference should be made solely to the appended claims for purposes of determining the true scope of the present invention.

Although the appendant claims have single appendencies in accordance with U.S. patent practice, each of the features in any of the appendant claims can be combined with each of the features of other appendant claims or the main claim.

EXAMPLES

All air sensitive experiments are carried out in nitrogen purged dry boxes. All solvents were purchased from commercial sources. 4-Bromo-2-methyl indene, 4-chloro-2-methyl-indene and tris (perfluorophenyl) borane in toluene were purchased from commercial sources. Aluminum alkyls were purchased as hydrocarbon solutions from commercial sources. The commercial methylalumoxane ( MAO ) was purchased from Albemarle as a 30 wt % solution in toluene. The metallocenes racemic dimethylsiladiyl(2-methyl-4-phenylindenyl) 2 zirconium dichloride and racemic dimethylsiladiyl(4- 1-naphthy -2-methylindenyl) 2 zirconium dichloride were obtained from commercial sources.

Comparative Example 1

Supported Comparison Metallocene Catalyst System 1

In a 100 mL round bottom flask racemic dimethylsiladiyl(2-methyl-4-phenylindenyl) 2 zirconium dichloride (Comparison metallocene 1, 0.055 g) was added to a MAO solution (6.74 g, 7.2 mL) and stirred twenty minutes. This was filtered through a medium glass frit funnel and washed with toluene (14 mL). To the combined filtrates was added dehydrated silica (4.0 g, Davison 948 Regular, 600 C. dehydration). This slurry was stirred for twenty minutes then dried at 40 C. for two minutes under vacuum on a rotary evaporator until the liquid evaporated, and then the solid was further dried a total of about two hours and twenty two minutes. The supported catalyst was recovered as a light orange, free flowing solid (5.63 g).

Comparative Example 2

Supported Comparison Metallocene Catalyst System 2

In a 100 mL round bottom flask racemic dimethylsiladiyl(2-methyl-4- 1-naphthy indenyl) 2 zirconium dichloride (Comparison metallocene 2, 0.064 g) was added to a MAO solution (6.74 g, 7.2 mL) and stirred twenty minutes. This was filtered through a medium glass frit funnel and washed with toluene (14 mL). To the combined filtrates was added dehydrated silica (4.0 g, Davison 948 Regular, 600 C. dehydration). This slurry was stirred for twenty minutes then dried at 40 C. for two minutes under vacuum on a rotary evaporator until the liquid evaporated, and then the solid was further dried a total of about two hours. The supported catalyst was recovered as an orange, free flowing solid (4.72 g).

A 100 mL three-neck, round-bottom flask was equipped with a mechanical stirrer, a pressure-compensating dropping funnel, and a reflux condenser. A nitrogen gas flow adapter with overpressure valve was attached on top of the reflux condenser. A slight nitrogen flow guaranteed an inert gas atmosphere in the apparatus. The flask was charged with 181 g triphenylphosphine (690 mmol) and 160 mL acetonitrile (HPLC grade). The white suspension was cooled in an ice bath for 15 minutes. While stirring, dropwise addition of 101.5 g bromine (635 mmol) took place within 40 minutes. After bromine addition, the ice bath was removed. 124 g of 3,5-di-tertbutylphenol (601 mmol) and 140 mL acetonitrile were added in one portion. The orange/white suspension converted into an orange solution upon heating. The mechanical stirrer was replaced by an egg-shape stir bar. The solution was stirred at gentle reflux temperature for three hours.

The flask was then fitted for a simple distillation and the acetonitrile was distilled under water aspirator pressure. After all the acetonitrile had been removed, the condenser was replaced with a short large-diameter glass tube connected to a 500 mL glass washing bottle half filled with water. The liquid mixture was stirred for 80 minutes at a temperature of 280-310 C. The reaction mixture was cooled to approximately 100 C. and poured into a 1000 mL beaker. A slight flow of nitrogen into the beaker kept the product mixture dry. At room temperature the solid was brought into a dry box, broken into fine pieces, and ground in a mortar. The ground material was stirred four times with 200 mL of pentane. The liquid phases were decanted, combined, washed with saturated NaHCO 3 solution (200 mL), dried with MgSO 4 , and the solvent evaporated. Column chromatography (silica/pentane) gave 41.6 g (25.7%) of a white, crystalline product.

Preparation of the Grignard salt:A 100 ml flask was charged with 1.88 g Mg (77.3 mmol) and 10 mL THF. 13.36 g 3,5-di-tertbutyl-bromobenzene (49.6 mmol) were dissolved in 45 mL THF and slowly added to the Mg-turnings. The flask was heated to 50 C. in an oil bath as soon as the reaction started, and this temperature was kept for one hour after addition of the bromobenzene was complete. The oil bath temperature was raised and a gentle reflux maintained for four hours.

Coupling reaction: A 100 mL flask was charged with 7.42 g 4-chloro-2-methylindene (45.1 mmol), 0.723 g 1,3-bis(di-phenylphosphino)propane nickel(II)chloride, (1.334 mmol) and 30 mL Et 2 O. The red suspension was cooled to 20 C., and the Grignard-salt suspension from above added within 20 minutes. The suspension was heated in an oil bath to 50 C., and stirred for 40 hours at this temperature. The flask was cooled in an ice bath. While stirring, 4 ml water and 15 ml 10% aqueous HCl were added. The THF phase was separated, the water phase washed with Et 2 O, and the combined organic phases dried with MgSO 4 . A purification by column chromatography followed after evaporation of the solvent. Silica was used as the stationary phase and pentane as the solvent. Later the solvent was changed to a pentane/Et 2 O mixture (98:2). All fractions containing product were combined, the solvent completely evaporated. The product was recrystallized in the smallest possible amount of pentane, stored at 4 C., the solvent decanted, and the solid dried under vacuum. Yield was 3.14 g (9.96 mmol, 21.9%). The product is a mixture of two isomers

3 . 12 g 4-(3 ,5 -Di-tertbutylphenyl)-2-methyl-indene (9.8 mmol) was dissolved in 20 mL THF. A 100 mL flask was charged with 0.65 g KH and 25 mL THF. At a temperature of 75 C. the indene solution was added within 8 minutes to the KH suspension. The suspension was allowed to warm up within 40 minutes to 50 C., and then within 75 minutes to 35 C. After stirring at room temperature for 90 minutes the solid was allowed to settle, and the orange solution transferred to a second flask. 0.6 mL Dichlorodimethylsilane (4.95 mmol) was added to the K-salt solution at 35 C. The solution was stirred overnight at room temperature. Addition of 3 mL saturated NH 4 Cl solution stopped the reaction. The solution was filtered from a white precipitate and dried with MgSO 4 . Addition of 5 g silica and complete evaporation of solvent gave a silica/raw product mixture. Column chromatography over 125 g silica and pentane/Et 2 O 99:1 (500 mL) and then 98:2 (500 mL). A quantitative yield with a slight contamination of indene starting material was recovered. The product is a mixture of two isomers. 1 H-NMR (C H Cl 3 7.24 ppm): 7.48-7.13 (m, 2 12H), 6.80 (m, 2 2H), 3.85 (s, 2H), 3.80 (s, 2H), 2.24 (s, 6H), 2.23 (s, 6H), 1.38 1.37 (2s, 2 36H), 0.20 (s, 3H), 0.22 (s, 2 3H), 0.26 (s, 3H).

4 g of the above silane (5.77 mmol) were dissolved in 6 ml pentane and 43 mL THF. At 85 C. 4.6 mL n-BuLi (2.5M in hexanes, 11.5 mmol) were added within 11 minutes. The color of the solution turned from yellow to red-brown. The solution was warmed to 60 C. within 30 minutes and stirred at room temperature for one hour. The solvent was completely evaporated, 10 mL toluene were added, followed again by complete evaporation of the solvent. The red-brown residue was dissolved in 45 ml toluene and cooled to 85 C. Addition of 1.32 g ZrCl 4 (5.66 mmol) gave a brown suspension. Within two hours the suspension was warmed to room temperature, and then refluxed for 6.5 hours. This gave a bright orange suspension. Toluene was completely evaporated, 60 mL pentane were added to stir the suspension overnight. Filtration over celite and washing of the orange residue with 45 mL pentane gave a clear orange filtrate. By slow evaporation of the pentate solution to the dry box atmosphere, the racemic zirconocene crystallized out of solution. The solution was decanted from the solid; the solid washed with a few mL cold pentane and dried. By washing the orange residue on celite above with toluene, a clear orange toluene solution can be obtained. Evaporation of half of the toluene and adding at least half the volume of pentane gives crystalline meso zirconocene. Yield of racemic zirconocene was 1.5 g (1.76 mmol, 30.5%). 0.51 g (0.60 mmol, 10.4%) meso zirconocene could be isolated. 1 H-NMR (C H Cl 3 7.24 ppm): 7 . 64 (d, 2 1H), 7.51 (s, 4H), 7.40 (d, 2 1H), 7.39 (s, 2H), 7.10 (t, 2 1H), 6.95 (s, 2 1H), 2.24 (s, 2 3H), 1.33 (s, 2 3H), 1.30 (s, 12 3H) for the racemic zirconocene, and 7.62 (d, 2 1H), 7.45 (s, 4H), 7.37 (t, 2 1H), 7.11 (d, 2 1H), 6.86 (m, 2 1H), 6.78 (s, 2 1H), 2.44 (s, 2 3H), 1.46 (s, 3H), 1.31 (s, 12 3H), 1.23 (s, 3H) for the meso zirconocene.

Supported Metallocene Catalyst System 3A

In a 100 mL round bottom flask racemic dimethylsiladiyl-bis-(4-(3 ,5 -di-tertbutylphenyl)-2-methylindenyl) zirconium dichloride ( 0 . 075 g) was added to a MAO solution (6.74 g, 7.4 mL) and stirred twenty minutes. This was filtered through a medium glass frit funnel and washed with toluene (14 mL). To the combined filtrates was added dehydrated silica (4.0 g, Davison 948 Regular, 600 C. dehydration). This slurry was stirred for twenty minutes, then dried at 40 C. for one minutes under vacuum on a rotary evaporator until the liquid evaporated, and then the solid was further dried a total of about two hours and twenty minutes. The supported catalyst was recovered as a reddish pink, free flowing solid (5.4 g).

Dimethylsiladiylbis 4-(3 ,5 -di-tert-butylphenyl)-2-methylindenyl ZrCl 2 (488 mgs, 0.57 mmol) was dissolved in 30 mL of toluene to give a clear orange solution. 3 .OM MeMgBr solution in Et 2 O (0.76 mL, 2.28 mmol) was added at room temperature via syringe and the reaction was stirred at reflux overnight. After this time, the reaction was cooled and 0.5 mL of 1,4-dioxane and 0.5 mL of Me 3 SiCl was added to the solution. This solution was filtered through a celite-packed frit and the toluene was removed in vacuo. The remaining yellow solid was washed with pentane and dried in vacuo to yield 257 mgs (55.3%) of the desired metallocene.

Supported Metallocene Catalyst System 3B

In a 50-ml beaker, 1.07 g (0.232 mmol) of an 11.05 wt % solution of tris (perfluorophenyl) borane in toluene was massed. 0.035 g (0.232 mmol) of N,N-diethylaniline (Aldrich, 98 %) was added followed by 4.5 g of toluene. A pink solution resulted. This solution was pipetted into a 50 ml round bottom flask containing 2.0 g of silica (Grace Davison, calcined at 500 C. with 3-wt % (NH 4 ) 2 SiF 6 ) and a magnetic stir bar. 4.5 g of toluene was used to rinse the beaker, pipette, and the sides of the flask. The flask was heated to 50 C. in an oil bath. The mixture was stirred for 30 minutes. 0.023 g (0.028 mmol) of the dimethylsiladiyl-bis-(4-(3 ,5 -di-tertbutylphenyl)-2-methylindenyl)zirconium dimethyl was added as a solid to produce a red slurry. Stirring was continued for 1 hour at 50 C. After this time, the stirring and heating were discontinued. The solvent was stripped overnight in vacuo to give 2.13 g of a flesh colored powder. Composition by mass balance: Zirconium: 0.013 mmol/g catalyst, Boron: 0.11 mmol/g catalyst.

Supported Metallocene Catalyst System 3C

This catalyst preparation used the same raw materials as above. In a 50 mL beaker, 2.68 g (0.58 mmol) of an 11.05-wt % solution of tris (perfluorophenyl) borane in toluene was massed. 0.088 g (0.59 mmol) of N,N-diethylaniline was added followed by 15 g of toluene. A pink solution resulted. This solution was pipetted into a 100 mL round bottom flask containing 5.0 g of silica and a magnetic stir bar. 1.0 g of toluene was used to rinse the beaker, pipette, and the sides of the flask. The flask was heated to 50 C. in an oil bath. The mixture was stirred for 30 minutes. 0.0061 g (0.075 mmol) of the dimethylsiladiyl-bis-(4-(3 ,5 di-tertbutylphenyl)-2-methylindenyl) zirconium dimethyl was added as a solid to produce a red slurry. Stirring was continued for 30 minutes at 50 C. After this time, the stirring and heating were discontinued. The solvent was stripped overnight in vacuo to give 5.36 g of a flesh colored powder. Composition by mass balance: Zr: 0.013 mmol/g catalyst, B: 0.11 mmol/g catalyst.

4-Chloro-2-methylindene (6.1 g, 37 mmol) and NiCl 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 (1.8 g, 2.8 mmol) were dissolved in 150 mL of Et 2 O. 3,5-Di-t-butylphenylmagnesium bromide (10 g, 37 mmol) as a Et 2 O solution was added to the solution and the reaction was stirred overnight at room temperature. After overnight stirring, the reaction was slowly quenched with H 2 O to neutralize unreacted Grignard. The solution was subsequently treated with 100 mL of 10% HCl(aq), neutralized with saturated sodium bicarbonate aqueous solution. The organic layer was dried with magnesium sulfate and the solvent was removed by rotary evaporation. The remaining residue was loaded onto a silica gel column and eluted with hexane. Yield was 4.6 g (40%).

4- 3 ,5 -Di-t-butylphenyl -2-methylindene (4.7 g, 15 mmol) was dissolved in 80 mL of pentane. To this solution was added 5.9 mL of n-BuLi (2.5M in hexane) and the reaction is allowed to stir 4 hours at room temperature. A white solid precipitated from solution and was collected by frit filtration and washed with additional pentane. Yield was 3.6 g (78%).

9,9-Dichloro-9-silafluorene (1.2 g, 9.2 mmol) was dissolved in 80 mL of THF. To this solution was slowly added lithium 4-(3 ,5 -di-t-butylphenyl)-2-methylindene (3.0 g, 9.2 mmol) as a dry powder and the solution was stirred overnight. After this time, the solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was taken up in diethyl ether. The solution was filtered through a frit to remove LiCl and the solvent was removed in vacuo and used as a crude product (4.1 g) for the next step.

The crude solid from the previous step (4.1 g, 5.5 mmol) was taken up in 50 mL of diethyl ether. To this solution was slowly added n-BuLi (4.4 mL, 2.5 M in hexane) and stirred for 3 hours at room temperature. The solution was cooled to 30 C. and ZrCl 4 (1.28 g, 4.6 mmol) was added as a dry powder and stirred at room temperature for two hours. The solvent was removed in vacuo and toluene as added to the crude residue. The solution was filtered to remove LiCl. The filtrate was concentrated and pentane is added under heating. The solution was cooled to induce crystallization. Yield of pure racemic isomer was 187 mgs (3.7%).

Supported Metallocene Catalyst System 4

In a 100 mL round bottom flask racemic 9-Silafluorenebis(4-(3 ,5 -di-tbutylphenyl)-2-methylindene zirconium dichloride (0.085 g) was added to a MAO solution (6.74 g, 7.2 mL) and stirred twenty minutes. This was filtered through a medium glass frit funnel and washed with toluene (14 mL). To the combined filtrates was added dehydrated silica (4.0 g, Davison 948 Regular, 600 C. dehydration). This slurry was stirred for twenty minutes, then dried at 40 C. for two minutes under vacuum on a rotary evaporator until the liquid evaporated, and then the solid was further dried a total of about two hours and twenty minutes. The supported catalyst was recovered as a pink reddish, free flowing solid (5.24 g).

4-Chloro-2-isopropylindene (7.2 g, 37 mmol) and NiCl 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 (1.8 g, 2.8 mmol) were dissolved in 150 mL of Et 2 O. 3,5-Di-di-t-butylphenylmagnesium bromide (10 g, 37 mmol) as a Et 2 O solution was added to the solution and the reaction was stirred overnight at room temperature. After overnight stirring, the reaction was slowly quenched with H 2 O to neutralize unreacted Grignard. The solution was subsequently treated with 100 mL of 10% HCl(aq), neutralized with saturated sodium bicarbonate aqueous solution. The organic layer was dried with magnesium sulfate and the solvent was removed by rotary evaporation. The remaining residue was loaded onto a silica gel column and eluted with hexane. Yield is 5.8 g (45%).

4- 3 ,5 -di-t-butylphenyl -2-iso-propylindene (5.8 g, 17 mmol) was dissolved in 80 mL of pentane. To this solution was added 6.6 mL of n-BuLi (2.5M in hexane) and the reaction was allowed to stir 4 hours at room temperature. A white solid precipitated from solution and was collected by frit funnel filtration and washed with additional pentane. Yield is 5.0 g (87 %).

9,9-Dichloro-9-silafluorene (1.1 g, 8.5 mmol) was dissolved in 80 mL of THF. To this solution was slowly added lithium 4-(3 ,5 -di-t-butylphenyl)-2-iso-propylindene (3.0 g, 8.5 mmol) as a dry powder and the solution was stirred overnight. After this time, the solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was taken up in diethyl ether. The solution as filtered through frit to remove LiCl and the solvent was removed in vacuo and used as a crude product (3.9 g) for the next step.

The crude solid from the previous step (3.9 g, 4.6 mmol) was taken up in 50 mL of diethyl ether. To this solution was slowly added n-BuLi (3.7 mL, 2.5 M in hexane) and stirred for 3 hours at room temperature. The solution was cooled to 30 C. and ZrCl 4 (1.1 g, 4.6 mmol) was added as a dry powder and stirred at room temperature for two hours. The solvent was removed in vacuo and toluene was added to the crude residue. The solution was filtered to remove LiCl. The filtrate was concentrated and pentane added under heating. The solution was cooled to induce crystallization. Yield of pure racemic isomer was 280 mgs (6.0%).

Supported Metallocene Catalyst System 5

4-Chloro-2-methylindene (8.9 g, 54 mmol) and NiCl 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 (1.8 g, 2.8 mmol) were dissolved in 150 mL of Et 2 O. 3,5-Dimethylphenylmagnesium bromide (10 g, 54 mmol) as a Et 2 O solution was added to the solution and the reaction was stirred overnight at room temperature. After overnight stirring, the reaction was slowly quenched with H 2 O to neutralize unreacted Grignard. The solution was subsequently treated with 100 mL of 10% HCl(aq), neutralized with saturated sodium bicarbonate aqueous solution. The organic layer was dried with magnesium sulfate and the solvent was removed by rotary evaporation. The remaining residue was loaded onto a silica gel column and eluted with hexane. Yield was 5.6 g (44%).

4-(3 ,5 -dimethylphenyl)-2-methylindene (5.6 g, 23.9 mmol) was dissolved in 80 mL of pentane. To this solution was added 9.6 mL of n-BuLi (2.5M in hexane) and the reaction was allowed to stir 4 hours at room temperature. A white solid precipitated from solution and was collected by frit filtration and washed with additional pentane. Yield was 4.5 g (80%).

SiMe 2 Cl 2 (1.2 g, 9.4 mmol) was dissolved in 80 mL of THF. While stirring, lithium 4-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-2-methylindenide (4.5 g, 18.7 mmol) was added as a dry powder and the contents were allowed to stir overnight at room temperature. The solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was taken up in pentane and filtered to remove LiCl salts. The pentane was removed in vacuo to yield a flaky white solid (4.23 g, 87%).

Dimethylsilylbis 4-(3 ,5 -dimethylphenyl)-2-methylindene (4.23 g, 8.0 mmol) was dissolved in 60 mL of Et 2 O. While stirring, 6.4 mL of n-BuLi (2.5M in hexane) was added and allowed to stir at room temperature for two hours. After this time, the solution was cooled to 35 C. and ZrCl 4 (1.58 g, 8.0 mmol) was added and allowed to stir at room temperature for 3 hours. The solvent was then removed in vacuo and the residue was taken up in a mixture of methylene chloride and pentane and filtered to remove LiCl salts. The filtrate was then concentrated and chilled to 35 C. to induce crystallization. 0.23 g (5.0%) of pure racemic compound was obtained.

Supported Metallocene Catalyst System 6

In a 100 mL round bottom flask Dimethylsiladiyl-bis-(2-methyl-4-(3 ,5 -di-methylphenyl)indenyl) zirconium dichloride (0.061 g) was added to a MAO solution (6.74 g, 7.4 mL) and stirred twenty minutes. This was filtered through a medium glass frit funnel and washed with toluene (14 mL). To the combined filtrates was added dehydrated silica (4.0 g, Davison 948 Regular, 600 C. dehydration). This slurry was stirred for twenty minutes, then dried at 40 C. for two minutes under vacuum on a rotary evaporator until the liquid evaporated, and then the solid was dried a total of about two hours and thirty four minutes. The supported catalyst was recovered as a light orange, free flowing solid (5.36 g).

4-Bromo-2-methylindene (10.7 g, 51 mmol) and NiCl 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 (1.8 g, 2.8 mmol) were dissolved in 150 mL of Et 2 O. 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenylmagnesium bromide (51 mmol) as a Et 2 O solution was added under vigorous stirring and the reaction stirred overnight at room temperature. After overnight stirring, the reaction was slowly quenched with H 2 O to neutralize unreacted Grignard. The solution was subsequently treated with 100 mL of 10% HCl(aq), and neutralized with saturated sodium bicarbonate aqueous solution. The organic layer was dried with magnesium sulfate and the solvent was removed by rotary evaporation. The remaining residue was loaded onto a silica gel column and eluted with hexane. Yield was 2.2 g (13%).

4- 3 ,5 -bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl -2-methylindene (2.2 g, 6.5 mmol) was dissolved in 50 mL of pentane. To this solution was added 2.6 mL of n-BuLi (2.5M in hexane) and the reaction was allowed to stir 4 hours at room temperature. A yellow-white solid precipitated from solution and was collected by frit filtration and washed with additional pentane. Yield was 1.6 g (73%).

SiMe 2 Cl 2 (0.48 g, 3.7 mmol) was dissolved in 80 mL of THF. While stirring, lithium 4- 3 ,5 -bis(trifluoromethylphenyl -2-methylindenide (2.6 g, 7.5 mmol) was added as a dry powder and the contents were allowed to stir overnight at room temperature. The solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue taken up in pentane and filtered to remove LiCl salts. The pentane was removed in vacuo, and the crude product is loaded onto a silica gel column and eluted with hexane. Yield was 2.2 g (80%)

Dimethylsiladiylbis 4-(3 ,5 -bis trifluoromethylphenyl )-2-methylindene (2.2 g, 3.0 mmol) was dissolved in 50 mL of Et 2 O. While stirring, 2.4 mL of n-BuLi (2.5M in hexane) was added and allowed to stir at room temperature for two hours. After this time, the solution was cooled to 35 C. and ZrCl 4 (0.69 g, 3.0 mmol) was added and allowed to stir at room temperature for 3 hours. The solvent was then removed in vacuo and the residue taken up in toluene and filtered to remove LiCl salts. The filtrate was then concentrated and chilled to 35 C. to induce crystallization. 90 mg (3.3%) of pure racemic compound was obtained.

Supported Metallocene Catalyst System 7

In a 100 mL round bottom flask dimethylsiladiyl-bis-(4-(3 ,5 -bis-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2-methyl-indenyl)zirconium dichloride (0.075 g) was added to a MAO solution (6.32 g, 6.75 mL) and stirred twenty minutes. This was filtered through a medium glass frit funnel and washed with toluene (13 mL). To the combined filtrates was added dehydrated silica (3.75 g, Davison 948 Regular, 600 C. dehydration). This slurry was stirred for thirty minutes then dried at 40 C. for two minutes under vacuum on a rotary evaporator until the liquid evaporated and then the solid was further dried a total of about two hours and twenty minutes. The supported catalyst was recovered as a dull red pink, free flowing solid (5.03 g).

42.4 g of Tribromobenzene (134.6 mmol) was dissolved in 600 mL Et 2 O. The solution was chilled to 55 C., at which temperature starting material precipitated. 54 mL of n-BuLi (2.5 M in hexanes, 135 mmol) were added within 20 minutes. After stirring for 35 minutes at 52 C., 20 ml TMSCl (158 mmol) and 20 mL Et 2 O were added within 7 minutes. The suspension turned into a solution at 42 C., and a fine precipitate appeared at 30 C. The suspension was stirred overnight at room temperature. 100 mL 2M HCl were used to hydrolyze the mixture. After stirring for 30 minutes, the Et 2 O-phase was dried with MgSO 4 , filtered, and solvent evaporated until compound crystallized out of solution. The flask was stored overnight at 4 C. The crystalline compound was filtered, washed with a small amount cold pentane, and dried under vacuo. A second fraction of crystalline compound was obtained from the filtrate. Yield: 31.9 g (103.5 mmol, 77%). 1 H-NMR (C H Cl 3 7.24 ppm): 7.62 (t, 1H), 7.49 (d, 2H), 0.25 (s, 3 3H).

17.18 g of 3,5-Dibromo-trimethylsilyl-benzene, 55.8 mmol, was dissolved in 380 ml Et 2 O. The solution was chilled to 68 C., and 22.3 mL of n-BuLi (2.5 M in hexanes), 55.8 mmol, were added within 18 minutes. The solution changed its color from clear to yellow, and was stirred for 45 minutes at 68 C. 7.5 mL TMSCl, 59 mmol, were added within six minutes. The temperature of solution rose within one hour to 33 C., and after another 30 minutes to 18 C. The solution was stirred overnight at room temperature. 60 mL of 2M HCl were added to the white suspension. Stirring for 30 minutes resulted in two clear phases. Et 2 O-phase was dried with MgSO 4 , filtered, and solvent evaporated. Raw product was distilled at a temperature of 70-76 C. and 0.1-0.2 mbar. All pure fractions were combined and gave 15.8 g of product (52.4 mmol, 94%). 1 H-NMR (C H Cl 3 7.24 ppm): 7.56 (s, 2H), 7.50 (t, 1H), 0.25 (s, 6 3H).

Preparation of the Grignard salt: A 100 mL flask was charged with 2.9 g Mg (119 mmol) and 10 ml THF. 15.8 g 3,5-Bis-trimethylsilyl-bromobenzene (52.4 mmol) were dissolved in 45 mL THF and slowly added to the Mg-turnings at room temperature. The reaction started after 5 minutes resulting in a black-brown, hot solution. The mixture was stirred overnight, maintaining a gentle reflux temperature.

Coupling reaction: A 100 mL flask was charged with 8.2 g 4-chloro-2-methylindene (49.8 mmol) and 1.14 g 1,2-bis(di-phenylphosphino)ethane nickel(II)chloride (2.16 mmol). At room temperature the Grignard-salt suspension from above was poured to the indene/nickel catalyst suspension. The suspension was stirred for 16 hours at gentle reflux temperature. While stirring, 5 ml water and 10 mL 10% aqueous HCl were added. The THF phase was separated, the water phase washed with Et 2 O, and the combined organic phases dried with MgSO 4 . Purification by column chromatography followed after evaporation of the solvent. Silica was used as the stationary phase and pentane as the solvent. Later the solvent was changed to a pentane/Et 2 O mixture (98:2). All fractions containing product were combined, the solvent completely evaporated. Yield was 15.35 g, 43.8 mmol (83.5%). The product is a mixture of two diastereomers. 1 H-NMR (C H Cl 3 7.24 ppm): 7.67-7.63 (m, 2 3H), 7.37-7.10 (m, 2 3H), 6.61 (s, 1H), 6.53 (d, 1H), 3.36 (s, 2H), 3.34 (s, 2H), 2.13 (s, 2 3H), 0.29 (s, 2 18H).

15.35 g 4-(3 ,5 -Bis-trimethylsilyl-phenyl)-2-methyl-indene (43.8 mmol) were dissolved in 70 mL THF. A second flask was charged with 2.6 g KH, and 70 mL THF. At a temperature of 65 C. the indene solution was added within 20 minutes to the KH suspension. After stirring at room temperature for two hours the solid was allowed to settle for 30 minutes, and the red solution transferred to a new flask. A few ml THF were added to the KH suspension, let stir and settle, and transferred also this solution to the new flask. 2.6 mL Dimethyldichlorosilane (21.4 mmol) were added to the K-salt solution at 35 C. The solution was stirred over night at room temperature. Addition of 10 ml sat. NH 4 Cl solution stopped the reaction. The solution was filtered from a white precipitate, and dried with MgSO 4 . Addition of 22 g silica and complete evaporation of solvent gave a silica/raw product mixture. Column chromatography was done over 250 g silica with pentane/Et 2 O mixtures of 99:1 to 96:4. Obtained were 11.2 g product (14.79 mmol, 67.5%), and 2.7 g of a less pure fraction. The product is a mixture of two isomers. 1 H-NMR (C H Cl 3 7.24 ppm): 7.68-7.14 (m, 2 12H), 6.78 (m, 2 2H), 3.85 (s, 2H), 3.81 (s, 2H), 2.24 (s, 6H), 2.23 (s, 6H), 0.31 (2s, 2 36H), 0.19 (s, 3H), 0.23 (s, 3H), 0.26 (s, 6H).

4.1 g Silane from above (5.4 mmol) were dissolved in 50 mL THF. At a cooling bath temperature of 83 C., 4.3 mL n-BuLi (2.5M in hexanes, 10.8 mmol) were added within one minute. The color of the solution turned from yellow to red-brown. The solution was warmed to 30 C. within 100 minutes and then stirred at room temperature for 100 minutes. The solvent was completely evaporated, 13 mL toluene were added following again complete evaporation of the solvent. The residue was dissolved in 50 ml toluene and cooled to 82 C. Addition of 1.26 g ZrCl 2 (5.41 mmol) resulted in a light brown suspension. The suspension was stirred overnight at room temperature, refluxed for 5.5 hours, and again stirred overnight at room temperature. This resulted in an orange suspension. Filtration over celite and complete evaporation of toluene gave an orange solid. 40 mL Pentane was added to the solid, and the suspension stirred. Filtration, using a frit, washing with 3 mL cold pentane, and drying under vacuo gave fraction 1 (1.56 g). Rac/meso ratio of fraction 1 is 8:92. All solvent was evaporated from the filtrate, and exactly 8 mL pentane were added to dissolve the residue. The solution was placed in a freezer at 35 C. which initiated the crystallization of a solid compound. Filtration, using a frit, washing with a few mL cold pentane, and drying under vacuo gave fraction 2 (0.63g). Rac/meso ratio of fraction 2 is 85:15. All solvent was evaporated from the filtrate, and the solid kept as fraction 3 (1.77 g). Rac/meso ratio of fraction 3 is 73:27. 1 H-NMR (C H Cl 3 7.24 ppm): 7.78 (s, 2 2H), 7.70 (d, 2 1H), 7.64 (s, 2 1H), 7.41 (d, 2 1H), 7.12 (m, 2 1H), 6.91 (s, 2 1H), 2.25 (s, 2 3H), 1.32 (s, 2 3H), 0.24 (s, 12 3H) for the racemic zirconocene, and 7.72 (s, 2 2H), 7.66 (s, 2 1H), 7.62 (s, 2 1H), 7.12 (d, 2 1H), 6.88 (m, 2 1H), 6.75 (s, 2 1H), 2.43 (s, 2 3H), 1.46 (s, 3H), 1.23 (s, 3H), 0.25 (s, 12 3H) for the meso zirconocene.

Supported Metallocene Catalyst System 8

In a 100 mL round bottom flask Dimethylsiladiylbis(4-(3 ,5 -bis-trimethylsilyl-phenyl)-2-methylindenyl) zirconium dichloride (0.080 g) was added to a MAO solution (6.74 g, 7.3 mL) and stirred twenty minutes. This was filtered through a medium glass frit funnel and washed with toluene (14 mL). To the combined filtrates was added dehydrated silica (4.0 g, Davison 948 Regular, 600 C. dehydration). This slurry was stirred for twenty minutes, then dried at 40 C. for two minutes under vacuum on a rotary evaporator until the liquid evaporated, and then the solid was further dried a total of about 4 hours and thirty minutes. The supported catalyst was recovered as a pink red, free flowing solid (5.15 g).

4-chloro-2-iso-propylindene (10.0 g, 54 mmol) and NiCl 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 (1.8 g, 2.8 mmol) were dissolved in 150 mL of Et 2 O. 3,5-dimethylphenylmagnesium bromide (54 mmol) as a Et 2 O solution was added under vigorous stirring and the reaction was stirred overnight at room temperature. After overnight stirring, the reaction was slowly quenched with H 2 O to neutralize unreacted Grignard. The solution was subsequently treated with 100 mL of 10% HCl(aq), neutralized with saturated sodium bicarbonate aqueous solution. The organic layer was dried with magnesium sulfate and the solvent was removed by rotary evaporation. The remaining residue was loaded onto a silica gel column and eluted with hexane. Yield was 5.5 g (39%).

4-(3 ,5 -dimethylphenyl)-2-iso-propylindene (5.5 g, 21 mmol) was dissolved in 80 mL of pentane. To this solution was added 8.3 mL of n-BuLi (2.5M in hexane) and the reaction was allowed to stir 4 hours at room temperature. A white solid precipitated from solution and was collected by frit filtration and washed with additional pentane. Yield was 3.3 g (60%).

SiMe 2 Cl 2 (0.69 g, 5.4 mmol) was dissolved in 80 mL of THF. While stirring, lithium 4-(3 ,5 -dimethylphenyl)-2-iso-propylindenide (2.9 g, 11 mmol) was added as a dry powder and the contents allowed to stir overnight at room temperature. The solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was taken up in pentane and filtered to removed LiCl salts. The pentane was removed in vacuo to yield a flaky white solid (2.1 g, 67%)

Dimethylsiladiylbis 4-(3 ,5 -dimethylphenyl)-2-iso-propylindene (2.1 g, 3.6 mmol) was dissolved in 60 mL of Et 2 O. While stirring, 2.9 mL of n-BuLi (2.5M in hexane) was added and allowed to stir at room temperature for two hours. After this time, the solution was cooled to 35 C. and ZrCl 4 (0.83 g, 3.6 mmol) was added and allowed to stir at room temperature for 3 hours. The solvent was then removed in vacuo and the residue taken up in toluene and filtered to remove LiCl salts. The filtrate was then concentrated and chilled to 35 C. to induce crystallization. 0.24 g (6.0%) of pure racemic compound was obtained.

Supported Metallocene Catalyst System 9

In a 100 mL round bottom flask dimethylsiladiylbis 4-(3 ,5 -dimethylphenyl)-2-iso-propylindene)zirconium dichloride (0.066 g) was added to the MAO solution (6.74 g, 7.2 mL) and stirred twenty minutes. This was filtered through a medium glass frit funnel and washed with toluene (14 mL). To the combined filtrates was added dehydrated silica (4.0 g, Davison 948 Regular, 600 C. dehydration). This slurry was stirred for twenty minutes, then dried at 40 C. for two minutes under vacuum on a rotary evaporator until the liquid evaporated, and then the solid was further dried a total of about two hours and thirty minutes. The supported catalyst was recovered as a purple, free flowing solid (5.11 g).

To a stirred solution of o-dibromobenzene (47.3 g, 0.2 mol) in 450 mL of anhydrous THF was added 76.4 mL of n-BuLi (1.0M in Et 2 O). The o-dibromobenzene solution was cooled in a dry ice/acetone bath. The yellow-green reaction mixture was allowed to warm to 5 C. and was then hydrolyzed with 100 mL of 5% hydrochloric acid. The resulting layers were separated and the aqueous layer extracted 4 times with 4 20 mL portions of diethyl ether. The ether washings were combined with the original organic layer, the whole was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated by distillation until the distillation temperature reached 70 C. The residue was treated with 50 mL of absolute ethanol and cooled to give 2,2 -dibromobiphenyl. Yield was 2.32 g (7.4%)

Lithium wire (3.33 g, 0.08 mol) was washed with pentane, carefully cut into small pieces, and suspended in 150 mL of Et 2 O. While stirring, 2,2-dibromobiphenyl (25 g, 0.08 mol) 100 mL of diethyl ether was added dropwise over 1 hour and the contents were allowed to stir for 10 hours. The mixture was filtered through a frit to remove any unreacted Li and LiBr. The filtrated was loaded into an addition funnel and slowly dropped into a solution containing SiCl 4 (50 g, 0.08 mol) in 200 mL of Et 2 O. After addition, the contents were stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. The solvent was removed in vacuo and 300 mL of pentane was added. The solution was filtered to remove LiCl and the solvents were again removed in vacuo. The solids were then loaded into a sublimator and allowed to sublime at 150 C. under full vacuum. Yield was 10.0 g (51%).

4-chloro-2-iso-propylindene (10 g, 54 mmol) and NiCl 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 (1.8 g, 2.8 mmol) were dissolved in 150 mL of Et 2 O. 3,5-Dimethylphenylmagnesium bromide (54 mmol) as a Et 2 O solution was added under vigorous stirring and the reaction was stirred overnight at room temperature. After overnight stirring, the reaction was slowly quenched with H 2 O to neutralize unreacted Grignard. The solution was subsequently treated with 100 mL of 10% HCl(aq) neutralized with saturated sodium bicarbonate aqueous solution. The organic layer was dried with magnesium sulfate and the solvent was removed by rotary evaporation. The remaining residue was loaded onto a silica gel column and eluted with hexane. Yield was 5.5 g (39%).

4-(3 ,5 -dimethylphenyl)-2-methylindene (5.6 g, 24 mmol) was dissolved in 80 mL of pentane. To this solution was added 9.6 mL of n-BuLi (2.5M in hexane) and the reaction was allowed to stir 4 hours at room temperature. A white solid precipitated from solution and was collected by frit filtration and washed with additional pentane. Yield was 4.5 g (80%).

9,9-dichloro-9-silafluorene (1.4 g, 11 mmol) was dissolved in 80 mL of THF. To this solution was slowly added lithium 4-(3 ,5 -dimethylphenyl)-2-methylindene (3.0 g, 11 mmol) as a dry powder and the solution was stirred overnight. After this time, the solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was taken up in diethyl ether. The solution was filtered through frit to remove LiCl and the solvent was removed in vacuo and used as a crude product (2.1 g) for the next step.

The crude solid from the previous step (2.1 g, 3.2 mmol) was taken up in 50 mL of diethyl ether. To this solution was slowly added n-BuLi (2.56 mL, 2.5 M in hexane) and then stirred for 3 hours at room temperature. The solution was cooled to 30 C. and ZrCl 4 (0.74 g, 3.2 mmol) was added as a dry powder and stirred at room temperature for two hours. The solvent was removed in vacuo and toluene was added to the crude residue. The solution was filtered to remove LiCl. The filtrate was concentrated and pentane was added under heating. The solution was cooled to induce crystallization. Yield of pure rac/meso metallocene was 120 mgs (3.8%).

Supported Metallocene Catalyst System 10

In a 100 mL round bottom flask rac/meso 9-silafluorenebis(4-(3 ,5 dimethylphenyl)-2-iso-propylindene zirconium dichloride (0.076 g) was added to the MAO solution (6.74 g, 7.2 mL) and stirred twenty minutes. This was filtered through a medium glass frit funnel and washed with toluene (14 mL). To the combined filtrates was added dehydrated silica (4.0 g, Davison 948 Regular, 600 C. dehydration). This slurry was stirred for twenty minutes, then dried at 40 C. for two minutes under vacuum on a rotary evaporator until the liquid evaporated, and then the solid was further dried a total of about two hours and thirty minutes. The supported catalyst was recovered as a dull purple, free flowing solid (5.06 g).

The polymerization procedure for producing homopolymers with the supported catalyst systems prepared as described above was as follows. In a clean, dry two liter autoclave which had been flushed with propylene vapor, TEAL scavenger (0.3 mL, 1.5M) was added. Hydrogen gas was added at this point if indicated. The quantity of hydrogen is 1.55 millimoles for each psi added as shown in the Tables. The reactor was closed and filled with 800 mL liquid propylene. After heating the reactor to the indicated polymerization temperature, the catalyst was added by washing in with propylene (200 mL). After the indicated time, typically one hour, the reactor was cooled, and the excess propylene vented. The polymer was removed and dried.

The polymerization procedure for producing random copolymers with the supported catalyst systems prepared as described above was as follows. In a clean, dry two liter autoclave which had been flushed with propylene vapor, TEAL scavenger (0.3 mL, 1.5M) was added. Hydrogen gas was added at this point if indicated. The quantity of hydrogen is 1.55 millimoles for each psi added as shown in the Tables. The reactor was closed and filled with 800 mL liquid propylene. After heating the reactor to 60 C., a partial pressure of ethylene was added as indicated and then the catalyst was added by washing in with propylene (200 mL). Ethylene gas was fed to maintain a constant pressure. After the indicated time, typically one hour, the reactor was cooled, and the excess propylene and ethylene vented. The polymer was removed and dried.

The polymerization procedure for producing ICP with the supported catalyst systems prepared as described above was as follows. In a clean, dry two liter autoclave which had been flushed with propylene vapor, TEAL scavenger (0.3 mL, 1.5M) was added. Hydrogen gas was added at this point. The quantity of hydrogen is 1.55 millimoles for each psi added as shown in the Tables. The reactor was closed and filled with 800 mL liquid propylene. After heating the reactor to 70 C., the catalyst was added by washing in with propylene (200 mL). After the indicated time, typically one hour, the reactor was vented to about 170 psig pressure and then an ethylene/propylene gas mixture was passed through the reactor at the rates indicated while maintaining 200 psig. At the end of the gas phase stage, typically 90 to 150 minutes, the reactor was vented and cooled under N2. The granular ICP polymer was removed and dried.

Polymerization run numbers 1-14 were made using Supported Comparison Metallocene Catalyst System 1. Results are reported in Tables 1 and 2.

Polymerization run numbers 15-25 made using Supported Comparison Metallocene Catalyst System 2 Results are reported in Tables 3 and 4.

Polymerization run numbers 26-39 were made using Supported Metallocene Catalyst System 3A. Results are reported in Tables 5 and 6.

Polymerization run numbers 40-45 were made using Supported Metallocene Catalyst System 3B. Results are reported in Tables 7 and 8.

Polymerization run numbers 46-64 were made using Supported Metallocene Catalyst System 3C. Results are reported in Tables 9 and 10.

Polymerization run numbers 65-71 were made using Supported Metallocene Catalyst System 4. Results are reported in Tables 11 and 12.

Polymerization run numbers 72-88 were made using Supported Metallocene Catalyst System 5. Results are reported in Tables 13 and 14.

Polymerization run numbers 89-98 were made using Supported Metallocene Catalyst System 6. Results are reported in Tables 15 and 16.

Polymerization run numbers 99-111 were made using Supported Metallocene Catalyst System 7. Results are reported in Tables 17 and 18.

Polymerization run numbers 112-116 were made using Supported Metallocene Catalyst System 8. Results are reported in Tables 19 and 20.

Polymerization run numbers 117-132 were made using Supported Metallocene Catalyst System 9. Results are reported in Tables 21 and 22.

Polymerization run numbers 133 and 134 were made using Supported Metallocene Catalyst System 10. Results are reported in Tables 23 and 24.

Polymer Analysis

Molecular weight determinations were made by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) according to the following technique. Molecular weights and molecular weight distributions were measured using a Waters 150C gel permeation chromatography equipped with Shodex (Showa Denko) AT-806MS columns and a differential refractive index (DRI) detector operating at 145 C. with 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene as the mobile phase at a 1.0 mL/min. flow rate. The sample injection volume was 300 microliters. The columns were calibrated using narrow polystyrene standards to generate a universal calibration curve. The polypropylene calibration curve was established using k 8.33 10 5 and a 0.800 as the Mark-Houwink coefficients. The numerical analyses were performed using Waters Expert-Ease software running on a VAX 6410 computer.

Ethylene amounts in the random copolymers were determined by FT-IR using a calibration obtained from samples whose composition was determined by NMR.

DSC melting points were determined on commercial DSC instruments and are reported as the second melting point. The polymer granules weighing less than 10 milligrams were heated to 230.0 C. for ten minutes and then cooled from 230 C. to 50 C. at 10 C./minute. The sample is held at 50 C. for five minutes. The second melt is then recorded as the sample is heated from 50 C. to 200 C. at a rate of 10 C./minute. The peak temperature is recorded as the second melting point.

ICP Polymer Extraction Method

The ICP polymer was dissolved in hot xylene and then allowed to cool overnight. After filtration the insolubes are dried. The xylene soluble portion was evaporated and the soluble material recovered. The IV of the recovered soluble material was measured in decalin at 135 C. by using know methods and instruments such as a Schott A VSPro Viscosity Automatic Sampler.

At very high ICP MFR this method can extract some low molecular weight isotactic PP and thus lower the observed IV.

ICP Polymer Fractionation Method

The ICP samples were sent to Polyhedron Laboratories, Inc. to be fractionated and analyzed by GPC. A generally described of the procedure is found in the reference J. C. Randall, J. Poly. Sci.: Part A Polymer Chemistry, Vol. 36, 1527-1542 (1998).