Patent EA-004433-B1 (EA)
Title: Polymeric supported catalysts for olefin polymerization
Inventor: WALZER JOHN FLEXER JR
IPC: C08F4/643
Filed: 1999-03-26
Abstract: 1. A supported olefin polymerization cocatalyst activator composition comprising a cross-linked polymer sphere-shaped bead being 30-100 mkm in size and having a surface area of from about 1 to 20 m<2>g to which are bound a plurality of noncoordinating anions, where the polymeric support comprises ligands covalently bound to the central metal or metalloid atoms of said anions, and an effective number of cationic species to achieve a balanced charge. 2. The activator composition of claim 1 represented by the formula: Polymer-Dn-[NCA]<->[Z]<+> where Polymer is a cross-linked polymeric backbone, D is an optional group linking the Polymer to NCA, n is 0 or 1, NCA is a compatible noncoordinating anion derived from a Lewis acid moiety and Z is a suitable cation that electronically charge balances NCA. 3. An olefin polymerization catalyst composition comprising the reaction product of a) the cocatalyst activator composition of claims 1 or 2, and b) an organometallic transition metal compound having ancillary ligands, at least one labile ligand capable of abstraction by protonation and at least one labile ligand into which an olefinic monomer can insert for polymerization. 4. The catalyst composition of claim 3 wherein said organometallic transition metal compound is a monocyclopentadienyl ligand-containing Group 4 metal compound. 5. The catalyst composition of claim 3 wherein said organometallic transition metal compound is a biscyclopentadienyl ligand-containing Group 4 metal compound. 6. The catalyst composition of claim 3 wherein said organometallic transition metal compound is a Group 4-10 metal compound other than a monocyclopentadienyl or biscyclopentadienyl ligand-containing Group 4 metal compound. 7. The catalyst composition of claim 3 wherein said noncoordinating anion is one derived from a halogenated trisaryl boron or aluminum compound. 8. The catalyst composition of claim 3 wherein said organometallic transition metal compound has a high activity level for olefin polymerization and said polymer bead has a surface area of <= 10M<2>/g. 9. An olefin polymerization process comprising contacting one or more ethylenically unsaturated olefin under suitable polymerization conditions with the catalyst composition according to any of claims 3-8. 10. The process according to claim 8 conducted under multiphase polymerization conditions. 11. The process according to claim 9 conducted under slurry polymerization conditions. 12. The process according to claim 9 conducted under gas phase polymerization conditions. 13. The process according to claim 11 wherein said olefin is selected from ethylene and C3-C8 alpha-olefins, and combinations thereof. 14. The process according to claim 13 wherein said olefin is selected from ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene and 1-octene, and combinations thereof. 15. The process according to claim 14 wherein said olefin is propylene, optionally with ethylene, and combinations thereof. 16. The process according to claim 12 wherein said olefin is selected from ethylene and C3-C8 alpha-olefins, and combinations thereof. 17. The process according to claim 11 wherein said olefin is selected from ethylene, cyclic olefins, and styrenic olefins, and combinations thereof.