FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to catalyst components for the polymerization of olefins, in particular propylene, comprising a Mg dihalide based support on which are supported Ti atoms and an electron donor compound containing an ester and a carbamate functional group. The present disclosure further relates to the catalysts obtained from said components and to their use in processes for the polymerization of olefins in particular propylene.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Catalyst components for the stereo specific polymerization of olefins are disclosed in the art. Concerning the polymerization of propylene, the Ziegler-Natta catalyst are industrially used which, in general terms, comprises a solid catalyst component, constituted by a magnesium dihalide on which are supported a titanium compound and an internal electron donor compound, used in combination with an Al-alkyl compound. However, when a higher crystallinity of the polymer is desired, also an external donor (for example an alkoxysilane) is needed in order to obtain higher isotacticity. One of the largely used classes of internal donors is constituted by the esters of phthalic acid, with diisobutylphthalate being the most used. The phthalates are used as internal donors in combination with alkylalkoxysilanes as external donor. This catalyst system gives good performances in terms of activity, isotacticity and xylene insolubility.

[0003] One of the problems associated with the use of this catalyst system is that the phthalates have recently raised concerns due to the medical issues associated with their use and some compounds within this class have been classified as source of heavy health problems.

[0004] Consequently, research activities have been devoted to discover alternative classes of internal donors for use in the preparation of catalyst components for propylene polymerization.

[0005] Some of the tested catalysts contain donors structures having contemporaneously amido groups and ester groups. PCT Publication No. WO2006/110234 describes amino acid derivatives including one carbamate group and one free ester function. The catalysts generated by these structures have very low activity and stero specificity in bulk propylene polymerization (See Table 2 of PCT Publication No. WO2006/110234).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Surprisingly, the applicant has found that a class of donors containing both a carbamate and an ester function within a specific structure generates catalysts showing an interesting balance of activity and stereospecificity.

[0007] Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a catalyst component for the polymerization of olefins comprising Mg, Ti, halogen and an electron donor of formula (I) or (II)

(I) (Π)

in which

R 1 and R 2 , independently, are hydrogen or Q-Q5 hydrocarbon groups;

- X is a -OR ³ or a -NR ⁴ R ⁵ groups in which R ³ is selected from Q-Q5 hydrocarbon groups, optionally containing a heteroatom selected from halogen, P, S, N,0 and R ⁴ -R ⁵ groups, independently, are hydrogen or R groups which can be fused together to form a cycle; [0008]

R 8 -R 10 groups are independently hydrogen or a Ci-C2o hydrocarbon radicals, optionally substituted with heteroatoms selected from halogen, P, S, N, O and Si, which can be fused together to form one or more cycles;

- R ¹⁵ to R ¹⁶ groups, equal to or different from each other, are hydrogen or R ³ groups which can be fused together to form one or more cycles, n is an integer from 0 to 2; and

R ⁿ -R ¹⁴ independently, are selected from hydrogen, halogens or C Qs hydrocarbon groups optionally substituted with heteroatoms selected from halogen, P, S, N, O and Si.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0009] Preferred structures of formula (II) are those in which at least one, and preferably at least two, of the and R ⁿ -R ¹⁴ groups is/are different from hydrogen. In particular, preferred structures are those in which the aromatic ring is substituted in position 3,5 and/or 6. Substitution in positions 4, 3, and/or 6 is also preferred. In all these cases, and R ^u -R ¹⁴ groups are preferably selected from C Cs alkyl groups. Particularly preferred is the substitution in position 3 and/or 6 with a primary alkyl group especially methyl, and in position 4 and/or 5 with a tertiary alkyl group especially tert-butyl.

[0010] Preferred structures of formula (II) are those in which n is 1, preferably combined with R ¹⁵ and R ¹⁶ being hydrogen especially when combined with the aromatic ring substituted as described above.

[0011] In the structures of formulae (I)-(II) X is independently selected from either -OR ³ or - NR ⁴ R ⁵ _. Preferably, X is selected from -OR ³ groups.

[0012] Preferably, in the structures of formulae (I)-(II) the R ³ groups are independently selected from C Qs alkyl groups, C6-C ₁₄ aryl groups, C3-Q5 cycloalkyl groups, and C7-Q5 arylalkyl or alkylaryl groups; the same applies to R 1 and R 2 groups which can additionally be hydrogen. More preferably, the R 1 , R2 and R 3 groups are independently selected from C Qo alkyl groups and even more preferably from C Cs alkyl groups in particular ethyl.

[0013] Preferably, the final amount of electron donor compound in the solid catalyst component ranges from 1 to 25% by weight preferably in the range from 3 to 20% by weight with respect to the total weight of the solid catalyst component. [0014] Non limiting examples of structures according to formulae(I-II) are the following: ethyl 2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-3,5-diisopropylbenzoate, ethyl 2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-3,5- dimethylbenzoate, ethyl 2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-3-methylbenzoate, ethyl 2- ((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-5-methylbenzoate, ethyl 2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)benzoate ethyl 2- ((dimethylcarbamoyl)oxy)benzoate, ethyl 2-((dipropylcarbamoyl)oxy)benzoate, ethyl 2- (carbamoyloxy)benzoate ethyl 5-(tert-butyl)-2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-3-methylbenzoate, ethyl 5-(tert-butyl)-2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)benzoate, propyl 2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)benzoate, 2- (diethylcarbamoyl)-4,6-diisopropylphenyl diethylcarbamate, 2-(diethylcarbamoyl)-4,6- dimethylphenyl diethylcarbamate, 2-(diethylcarbamoyl)-4-methylphenyl diethylcarbamate, 2- (diethylcarbamoyl)-6-methylphenyl diethylcarbamate, 2-(diethylcarbamoyl)phenyl carbamate, 2- (diethylcarbamoyl)phenyl diethylcarbamate, 2-(diethylcarbamoyl)phenyl dimethylcarbamate 2- (diethylcarbamoyl)phenyl dipropylcarbamate, 2-(dimethylcarbamoyl)phenyl dimethylcarbamate, 2-(dipropylcarbamoyl)phenyl diethylcarbamate, 2-carbamoylphenyl carbamate, 4-(tert-butyl)-2- (diethylcarbamoyl)-6-methylphenyl diethylcarbamate, 4-(tert-butyl)-2-(diethylcarbamoyl)phenyl diethylcarbamate, 2-(2-ethoxy-2-oxoethyl)phenyl piperidine-l-carboxylate, 2-(2-ethoxy-2- oxoethyl)phenyl pyrrolidine- 1-carboxylate, ethyl 2-(2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-3,5- diisopropylphenyl)acetate, ethyl 2-(2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-3,5-dimethylphenyl)acetate ethyl 2-(2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-3-methylphenyl)acetate, ethyl 2-(2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-5- methylphenyl)acetate, ethyl 2-(2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)phenyl)-3,3-dimethylbutanoate, ethyl 2- (2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)phenyl)-3-methylbutanoate, ethyl 2- (2-

((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)phenyl)acetate, ethyl 2-(2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)phenyl)butanoate, ethyl 2-(2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)phenyl)pentanoate, ethyl 2- (2-

((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)phenyl)propanoate, ethyl 2-(2-((dimethylcarbamoyl)oxy)phenyl)acetate, ethyl 2-(2-((dipropylcarbamoyl)oxy)phenyl)acetate, ethyl 2-(2-(carbamoyloxy)phenyl)acetate, ethyl 2-(5-(tert-butyl)-2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-3-methylphenyl)- 2-methylpropanoate, ethyl 2- (5-(tert-butyl)-2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-3-methylphenyl)ace tate, ethyl 2-(5-(tert-butyl)-2- ((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-3-methylphenyl)pentanoate, methyl 2-(2-

((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)phenyl)acetate, propyl 2-(2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)phenyl)acetate, 2-(2- (diethylamino)-2-oxoethyl)-4,6-diisopropylphenyl diethylcarbamate, 2-(2-(diethylamino)-2- oxoethyl)phenyl carbamate, 2-(2-(diethylamino)-2-oxoethyl)phenyl diethylcarbamate, 4-(tert- butyl)-2-(2-(diethylamino)-2-oxoethyl)-6-methylphenyl diethylcarbamate, ethyl 3-(2- ((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)phenyl)-2-methylbutanoate, ethyl 3- (2-

((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)phenyl)propanoate, ethyl 3-(5-(tert-butyl)-2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-3- methylphenyl)propanoate, 2-(3-(diethylamino)-3-oxopropyl)phenyl diethylcarbamate, 2- (4- (diethylamino)-3-methyl-4-oxobutan-2-yl)phenyl diethylcarbamate, 4-(tert-butyl)-2-(3- (diethylamino)-3-oxopropyl)-6-methylphenyl diethylcarbamate, 4-ethoxy-4-oxobutan-2-yl piperidine-l-carboxylate, 4-ethoxy-4-oxobutan-2-yl pyrrolidine- 1-carboxylate, butyl 3- ((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-2-methylbutanoate, ethyl 3-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-2,2,3- trimethylbutanoate, ethyl 3-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-2,2-dimethylbutanoate, ethyl 3- ((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-2,2-dimethylpropanoate, ethyl 3-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-2-isobutyl-2- propylheptanoate, ethyl 3-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-2-methylbutanoate, ethyl 3- ((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-2-methylpentanoate, ethyl 3-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-2- methylpropanoate, ethyl 3-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)butanoate, ethyl 3-

((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)propanoate, ethyl 3-((dimethylcarbamoyl)oxy)butanoate, ethyl 3- (carbamoyloxy)butanoate, propyl 3-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-2-methylbutanoate, 4- (diethylamino)-3,3-dimethyl-4-oxobutan-2-yl diethylcarbamate, 4-(diethylamino)-3-methyl-4- oxobutan-2-yl diethylcarbamate, 4-(diethylamino)-4-oxobutan-2-yl diethylcarbamate, , ethyl 2- ((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-2-methylpropanoate, ethyl 2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-2-phenylacetate, ethyl 2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-3,3-dimethylbutanoate, , , , , , , , ethyl 4- ((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-2-methylbutanoate, ethyl 4-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)butanoate, ethyl 4- ((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)pentanoate, ethyl 8-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-l-naphthoate, 4- (diethylamino)-3-methyl-4-oxobutyl diethylcarbamate, 4-(diethylamino)-4-oxobutyl diethylcarbamate, 5-(diethylamino)-5-oxopentan-2-yl diethylcarbamate.

[0015] The compounds falling in formulae (I)-(II) can be prepared by reacting a hydroxyester or hydroxyamide of general formula HO-A-COX with a carbamoyl chloride R 1 R 2 N-CO-C1 in the presence of base such as a tertiary amine. In solid catalyst component of the present disclosure the amount of Ti atoms in the solid catalyst component is preferably higher than 2.5%wt more preferably higher than 3.0% with respect to the total weight of said catalyst component.

[0016] As explained above, the catalyst components of the present disclosure comprise, in addition to the above electron donors, Ti, Mg and halogen. In particular, the catalyst components comprise a titanium compound, having at least a Ti-halogen bond and the above mentioned electron donor compounds supported on a Mg halide. The magnesium halide is preferably MgCl ₂ in active form which is disclosed as a support for Ziegler-Natta catalysts. Patents USP 4,298,718 and USP 4,495,338 were the first to describe the use of these compounds in Ziegler-Natta catalysis. These patents disclose magnesium dihalides in active form used as support or co- support in components of catalysts for the polymerization of olefins characterized by X-ray spectra in which the most intense diffraction line that appears in the spectrum of the non-active halide is diminished in intensity and is replaced by a halo whose maximum intensity is displaced towards lower angles relative to that of the more intense line.

[0017] The preferred titanium compounds used in the catalyst component of the present present disclosure are TiCl ₄ and TiCl ₃ ; furthermore, also Ti-haloalcoholates of formula Ti(OR) _m _ _y X _y can be used, where m is the valence of titanium, y is a number between 1 and m-1, X is halogen and R is a hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms.

[0018] The preparation of the solid catalyst component can be carried out according to several methods. One method comprises the reaction between magnesium alcoholates or chloroalcoholates (in particular chloroalcoholates prepared according to USP 4,220,554) and an excess of TiCl ₄ in the presence of the electron donor compounds at a temperature of about 80 to 120°C.

[0019] According to a preferred method, the solid catalyst component can be prepared by reacting a titanium compound of formula Ti(OR) _m _ _y X _y , where m is the valence of titanium and y is a number between 1 and m, preferably TiCl ₄ , with a magnesium chloride deriving from an adduct of formula MgCl ₂ *pROH, where p is a number between 0.1 and 6, preferably from 2 to 3.5, and R is a hydrocarbon radical having 1-18 carbon atoms. The adduct can be suitably prepared in spherical form by mixing alcohol and magnesium chloride in the presence of an inert hydrocarbon immiscible with the adduct, operating under stirring conditions at the melting temperature of the adduct (100-130°C). Then, the emulsion is quickly quenched, thereby causing the solidification of the adduct in form of spherical particles. Examples of spherical adducts prepared according to this procedure are described in USP 4,399,054 and USP 4,469,648. The so obtained adduct can be directly reacted with Ti compound or it can be previously subjected to thermal controlled dealcoholation (80-130°C) so as to obtain an adduct in which the number of moles of alcohol is lower than 3, preferably between 0.1 and 2.5. The reaction with the Ti compound can be carried out by suspending the adduct (dealcoholated or as such) in cold TiCl ₄ ; the mixture is heated up to 80-130°C and kept at this temperature for 0.5-2 hours. The treatment with TiCl ₄ can be carried out one or more times. The electron donor compound is preferably added during the treatment with T1CI ₄ . The preparation of catalyst components in spherical form are described for example in European Patent Applications EP-A-395083, EP-A-553805, EP-A- 553806, EPA601525 and WO98/44001.

[0020] The solid catalyst components obtained according to the above method show a surface area (by B.E.T. method) between 20 and 500 m 2 /g and preferably between 50 and 400 m 2 /g, and a total porosity (by B.E.T. method) higher than 0.2 cm 3 /g preferably between 0.2 and 0.6 cm 3 /g. The porosity (Hg method) due to pores with radius up to lO.OOOA ranges from 0.3 to 1.5 cm /g, preferably from 0.45 to 1 cm /g.

[0021] The solid catalyst component has an average particle size ranging from 5 to 120 μιη and more preferably from 10 to 100 μιη.

[0022] In any of these preparation methods the desired electron donor compounds can be added as such or, in an alternative way, it can be obtained in situ by using an appropriate precursor capable to be transformed in the desired electron donor compound by means, for example, of known chemical reactions.

[0023] Regardless of the preparation method used, the final amount of the electron donor compound of formula (I) is such that its molar ratio with respect to the Ti atoms is from 0.01 to 2, preferably from 0.05 to 1.5.

[0024] The solid catalyst components according to the present disclosure are converted into catalysts for the polymerization of olefins by reacting them with organo aluminum compounds according to available methods.

[0025] In particular, it is an object of the present disclosure a catalyst for the polymerization of olefins CH ₂ =CHR, in which R is hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl radical with 1-12 carbon atoms, comprising the product obtained by contacting:

(i) the solid catalyst component as disclosed above and

(ii) an alkylaluminum compound and optionally,

(iii) an external electron donor compound.

[0026] The alkyl-Al compound (ii) is preferably chosen among the trialkyl aluminum compounds such as for example triethylaluminum, triisobutylaluminum, tri-n-butylaluminum, tri- n-hexylaluminum, tri-n-octylaluminum. It is also possible to use alkylaluminum halides, alkylaluminum hydrides or alkylaluminum sesquichlorides, such as AlEt ₂ Cl and Al ₂ Et ₃ Cl ₃ , possibly in mixture with the above cited trialkylaluminums.

[0027] The external electron-donor compounds include silicon compounds, ethers, esters, amines, heterocyclic compounds and particularly 2,2,6, 6-tetramethylpiperidine and ketones.

[0028] Another class of preferred external donor compounds is that of silicon compounds of formula (R ₇ ) _a (R ₈ ) _b Si(OR ₉ ) _c , where a and b are integers from 0 to 2, c is an integer from 1 to 4 and the sum (a+b+c) is 4; R ₇ , Rg, and R ₉ , are radicals with 1-18 carbon atoms optionally containing heteroatoms. Particularly preferred are the silicon compounds in which a is 1, b is 1, c is 2, at least one of R ₇ and R ₈ is selected from branched alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl groups with 3-10 carbon atoms optionally containing heteroatoms and R ₉ is a Q-Qo alkyl group, in particular methyl. Examples of such preferred silicon compounds are methylcyclohexyldimethoxysilane (C donor), diphenyldimethoxysilane, methyl-t-butyldimethoxysilane, dicyclopentyldimethoxysilane (D donor), diisopropyldimethoxysilane, (2-ethylpiperidinyl)t-butyldimethoxysilane, (2- ethylpiperidinyl)thexyldimethoxysilane, (3,3,3-trifluoro-n-propyl)(2- ethylpiperidinyl)dimethoxysilane, methyl(3,3,3-trifluoro-n-propyl)dimethoxysilane, N,N- diethylaminotriethoxysilane. Moreover, are also preferred the silicon compounds in which a is 0, c is 3, Rg is a branched alkyl or cycloalkyl group, optionally containing heteroatoms, and R ₉ is methyl. Examples of such preferred silicon compounds are cyclohexyltrimethoxysilane, t- butyltrimethoxysilane and thexyltrimethoxysilane.

[0029] The electron donor compound (iii) is used in such an amount to give a molar ratio between the organo aluminum compound and said electron donor compound (iii) of from 0.1 to 500, preferably from 1 to 300 and more preferably from 3 to 100.

[0030] Therefore, it constitutes a further object of the present disclosure a process for the (co)polymerization of olefins CH ₂ =CHR, in which R is hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl radical with 1- 12 carbon atoms, carried out in the presence of a catalyst comprising the product of the reaction between:

(i) the solid catalyst component of the present disclosure;

(ii) an alkylaluminum compound and,

(iii) optionally an electron-donor compound (external donor).

[0031] The polymerization process can be carried out according to various techniques for example slurry polymerization using as diluent an inert hydrocarbon solvent, or bulk polymerization using the liquid monomer (for example propylene) as a reaction medium. Moreover, it is possible to carry out the polymerization process in gas-phase operating in one or more fluidized or mechanically agitated bed reactors.

[0032] The polymerization is carried out at temperature of from 20 to 120°C, preferably of from 40 to 80°C. When the polymerization is carried out in gas-phase the operating pressure is between 0.5 and 5 MPa, preferably between 1 and 4 MPa. In the bulk polymerization the operating pressure is between 1 and 8 MPa, preferably between 1.5 and 5 MPa.

[0033] The following examples are given in order to further illustrate the present disclosure without being intended as limiting it.

[0034] CHARACTERIZATIONS

[0035] Determination of X.I.

2.5 g of polymer and 250 ml of o-xylene were placed in a round-bottomed flask provided with a cooler and a reflux condenser and kept under nitrogen. The obtained mixture was heated to 135°C and was kept under stirring for about 60 minutes. The final solution was allowed to cool to 25°C under continuous stirring, and the insoluble polymer was then filtered. The filtrate was then evaporated in a nitrogen flow at 140°C to reach a constant weight. The content of said xylene- soluble fraction is expressed as a percentage of the original 2.5 grams and then, by difference, the X.I. %.

[0036] Determination of donors.

The content of electron donor has been carried out via gas-chromatography. The solid component was dissolved in acidic water. The solution was extracted with ethyl acetate, an internal standard was added, and a sample of the organic phase was analyzed in a gas chromatograph, to determine the amount of donor present at the starting catalyst compound.

[0037] Melt flow rate (MFR)

The melt flow rate MIL of the polymer was determined according to ISO 1133 (230°C, 2.16 Kg).

[0038] EXAMPLES

[0039] N-Z-L-proline methyl ester used in comparative example 1 is available from Sigma- Aldrich.

[0040] General procedure for preparation of the spherical adducts An initial amount of micro spheroidal MgCl ₂ -2.8C ₂ HsOH was prepared according to the method described in Example 2 of WO98/44009, but operating on larger scale.

[0041] General procedure for the preparation of the solid catalyst component

Into a 500 mL round bottom flask, equipped with mechanical stirrer, cooler and thermometer 250 mL of TiCl ₄ were introduced at room temperature under nitrogen atmosphere. After cooling to 0°C, while stirring, the internal donor and 10.0 g of the spherical adduct (prepared as described above) were sequentially added into the flask. The amount of charged internal donor was such to charge a Mg/donor molar ratio of 6. The temperature was raised to 100°C and maintained for 2 hours. Thereafter, stirring was stopped, the solid product was allowed to settle and the supernatant liquid was siphoned off at 100°C. After the supernatant was removed, additional fresh T1CI ₄ was added to reach the initial liquid volume again. The mixture was then heated at 120°C and kept at this temperature for 1 hour. Stirring was stopped again, the solid was allowed to settle and the supernatant liquid was siphoned off.

[0042] The solid was washed with anhydrous hexane six times (6 x 100 mL) in temperature gradient down to 60°C and one time (100 mL) at room temperature. The obtained solid was then dried under vacuum and analyzed.

[0043] General procedure for the polymerization of propylene

[0044] A 4-litre steel autoclave equipped with a stirrer, pressure gauge, thermometer, catalyst feeding system, monomer feeding lines and thermostating jacket, was purged with nitrogen flow at 70°C for one hour. Then, at 30°C under propylene flow, were charged in sequence with 75 mL of anhydrous hexane, 0.76 g of AlEt ₃ , the external electron donor indicated in Table 1 (if used) and 0.006÷0.010 g of solid catalyst component. The autoclave was closed; subsequently 2.0 NL of hydrogen were added. Then, under stirring, 1.2 kg of liquid propylene was fed. The temperature was raised to 70°C in five minutes and the polymerization was carried out at this temperature for two hours. At the end of the polymerization, the non-reacted propylene was removed; the polymer was recovered and dried at 70°C under vacuum for three hours. Then the polymer was weighed and fractionated with o-xylene to determine the amount of the xylene insoluble (X.I.) fraction. [0045] Donor synthesis

[0046] Synthesis of the donor used in Example 1

[0047] A mixture of 3,5-diisopropyl-2-hydroxybenzoic acid (8.00 g, 36.2 mmol) and thionyl chloride (20 mL) is heated at reflux for 1 h. After cooling excess thionyl chloride is removed in vacuo and the residue is taken up in dichloromethane (50 mL). The dichloromethane solution is then added drop wise to a solution of diethylamine (20 mL) in dichloromethane (100 mL), cooled to 0 °C and the resulting solution left to stir for 1 h. The excess diethylamine and dichloromethane is removed in vacuo and the residue taken up with dichloromethane (300 mL). The organic phase is washed with 1M hydrochloric acid (100 mL), water (100 mL), dried (MgS04), filtered and the solvent removed in vacuo. The residue is dissolved in toluene (100 mL) then TiC14 is added (4 mL, 36.2 mmol), followed by diethyl carbamoyl chloride (5 mL, 39 mmol). After two hours at room temperature the mixture is carefully quenched with acidic water then the organic layer is separated and washed with water until neutral pH, then is anhydrified over Na2S04 and the solvent is distilled off to afford pure 2-(diethylcarbamoyl)-4,6- diisopropylphenyl diethylcarbamate.

[0048] Synthesis of the donor used in Example 2

[0049] First step: 2-Hydroxyphenylacetic acid (lOg, 65 mmol) is treated with 20 mL of ethanol and 0.5 mL of concentrated H2S04 at reflux until TLC show the esterification is completed. Then the mixture is diluted with water and diethyl ether the organic layer is separated and washed with water until neutral pH, then is anhydrified over Na2S04 and the solvent is distilled off to afford pure ethyl 2-hydroxyphenylacetate (yield 98%).

[0050] Second step: In a 250 mL round bottom flask, under nitrogen are introduced THF (80 mL), NaH (1.5 g, 61 mmol), diethyl carbamoyl chloride (6.7 mL, 67 mmol) and ethyl 2- hydroxyphenylacetate (11 g, 61 mmol) dissolved in 15 mL of THF is added dropwise under stirring and cooling. The mixture is stirred at room temperature until GC show the starting is complete converted into product. Then the reaction mixture is worked-up to afford ethyl 2-(2- ((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)phenyl)acetate (16 g, 94% yield) with a GC purity of 98%. [0051] Synthesis of the donor used in Examples 3-4

[0052] Ethyl 2-(5-(tert-butyl)-2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-3-methylphenyl)a cetate

[0053] First step: In a 500 mL round bottom flask, under nitrogen at room temperature, are introduced 2,6-xylenol (54.5 g, 0.45 mol), heptane (130 mL), tert-butanol (66 g, 0.9 mol), then concentrated H2S04.

[0054] (28.4 mL, 0.54 mol) is added dropwise under stirring. After one hour the reaction is completed and the mixture is diluted with water and diethyl ether. The organic layer is separated and washed with water until neutral pH, then is anhydrified over Na2S04 and the solvent is distilled off to afford 81.3 g of 4-tert-butyl-2,6-xylenol with a GC purity of 98%wt (yield 98%) which is used in the next step without further purification.

[0055] Second step: In a 2 litre round bottom flask, under nitrogen are introduced 4-tert- butyl-2,6-xylenol (132.4 g, 0.74 mol), THF (750 mL) and sodium ethoxide (62.9 g, 0.9 mol). After 30 minute of post-reaction time diethylcarbamoyl chloride (122 mL, 0.97 mol) is added slowly dropwise. The reaction is monitored via GC and extra sodium ethoxide and diethylcarbamoyl chloride are added to convert completely the starting. Then the mixture is diluted with water and i-hexanes, the organic layer is separated and washed with water until neutral pH, then is anhydrified over Na2S04 and the solvent is distilled off to afford 197.8 g of 4-(tert-butyl)-2,6-dimethylphenyl diethylcarbamate with a GC purity of 98%wt (yield 94%) which solidified upon standing. The product is used in the next step without further purification.

[0056] Third step: In a 2 litre round bottom flask, under nitrogen are introduced THF (770 mL), 4-(tert-butyl)-2,6-dimethylphenyl diethylcarbamate (173.5 g, 0.63 mol) and diisopropylamine (8.8 mL, 0.063 mol) then the mixture is cooled to 0°C and n-BuLi is added dropwise (solution 2.5 mol/L in hexanes, 520 mL, 1.3 mol). Then the cooling bath is removed and the reaction is let to warm to room temperature. After 30 minutes at this temperature the reaction is diluted with water and ethyl acetate. The organic layer is separated and washed with water until neutral pH, then is anhydrified over Na2S04 and the solvent is distilled off to afford 177.4 g of 2-(5-(tert-butyl)-2-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)-N,N-diethylaceta mide with a purity GC of 94% (yield 96%) which is used in the next step without further purification.

[0057] Fourth step: In a round bottom flask are introduced 2-(5-(tert-butyl)-2-hydroxy-3- methylphenyl)-N,N-diethylacetamide (purity 94% from the previous step, 170 g, 0.57 mol), ethanol (200 mL) and concentrated H2S04 (30.4 mL, 0.57 mol). The mixture is brought to reflux and kept ad this temperature for 5 hours then is diluted with water and ethyl acetate. The organic layer is separated and washed with water until neutral pH, then is anhydrified over Na2S04 and the solvent is distilled off to afford a dark oil which is purified via heptane crystallization to afford 86.1 g of 5-(tert-butyl)-7-methylbenzofuran-2(3H)-one with a GC purity of 98 wt (yield 72%).

[0058] Fifth step: 5-(tert-butyl)-7-methylbenzofuran-2(3H)-one (83.4 g, 0.4 mol) from the previous step is treated with ethanol (200 mL) and a catalytic amount of concentrated H2S04 at reflux for 30 minutes then the mixture is worked-up to afford ethyl 2-(5-(tert-butyl)-2-hydroxy-3- methylphenyl) acetate .

[0059] Sixth step: In a 250 mL round bottom flask, under nitrogen are introduced THF (100 mL) ethyl 2-(5-(tert-butyl)-2-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)acetate (10 g, 0.040 mol), sodium ethoxide (2.9 g, 0.042 mol) then diethylcarbamoyl chloride (5.3 mL, 0.042 mol) is added slowly dropwise. After 18 hours at room temperature the reaction is complete and the mixture is worked- up to afford ethyl 2-(5-(tert-butyl)-2-((diethylcarbamoyl)oxy)-3-methylphenyl)a cetate.

[0060] Examples 1-3 and Comparative 1

[0061] The catalyst components were prepared according to the general procedure using the donors indicated in Table 1. The so obtained solid catalyst components were analyzed for their composition, and were tested in polymerization of propylene, using the procedure described above. The results are listed in Table 1.

[0062] Example 4

[0063] The catalyst component was prepared according to the general procedure with the difference that the, were used 10.0 g of a spherical adduct prepared as described in the general procedure and then subject to thermal dealcoholation treatment until the alcohol content is lowered to 47%wt. Moreover, the first reaction step with TiC14 was carried out at a temperature of 120° for two hours, the second reaction step with TiC14 was also carried out at a temperature of 120° for 0.5 hours and an additional third step of reaction with TiC14 was carried out at a temperature of 120° for 0.5 hours. [0064] Table 1

D: dicyclopentyldimethoxysilane nd: not determined