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Title:
POLYMERIZATION OF OLEFINS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2001/068724
Kind Code:
A2
Abstract:
Olefins, such as ethylene, are polymerized using as a polymerization catalyst a complex of a selected transition metal with an anionic ligand that has at least three atoms that may coordinate to the transition metal. Also disclosed are the above selected transition metal complexes, and intermediates thereto.

Inventors:
WANG YING (US)
ITTEL STEVEN DALE (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2001/007100
Publication Date:
September 20, 2001
Filing Date:
March 07, 2001
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
DU PONT (US)
WANG YING (US)
ITTEL STEVEN DALE (US)
International Classes:
C07C251/24; C07F7/00; C07F7/28; C07F9/00; C07F11/00; C07F13/00; C08F2/00; C08F4/602; C08F10/00; C08F110/02; C08F210/16; (IPC1-7): C08F10/00
Foreign References:
US4206139A1980-06-03
US3929848A1975-12-30
EP0874005A11998-10-28
Other References:
SCHMIDT, HAUKE ET AL: "The preparation and synthetic potential of chlorovanadium(V and IV) complexes supported by enamines and bis(enamines)" INORG. CHIM. ACTA (1998), 267(2), 229-238 , XP000905328
BASHIRPOOR, MANDANA ET AL: "Models for vanadate-dependent haloperoxidases. Vanadium complexes with O4N-donor sets" CHEM. BER./RECL. (1997), 130(5), 651-657 , XP001023999
DE BLAS, A. ET AL: "Synthesis and characterization of titanium(IV) complexes with silylated Schiff bases" SYNTH. REACT. INORG. MET.-ORG. CHEM. (1991), 21(8), 1273-98 , XP001016007
JEZIERSKI, ADAM: "Selenium oxychloride as an effective chlorinating agent and solvent for vanadium(IV) complexes. An ESR study" INORG. CHIM. ACTA (1985), 98(1), L1-L2 , XP001023479
ALYEA, E. C. ET AL: "Schiff base complexes of mono(cyclopentadienyl)titanium(IV)" INORG. NUCL. CHEM. LETT. (1977), 13(11), 587-90 , XP001023459
CHATTERJEE, DEBABRATA ET AL: "Oxidation of organic substrates catalyzed by novel mixed-ligand chromium(III) complexes" REACT. KINET. CATAL. LETT. (2000), 71(2), 217-222 , XP001023566
CHATTERJEE, D. ET AL: "Oxidation of organic substrates catalyzed by novel mixed-ligand manganese(III) complexes" J. MOL. CATAL. A: CHEM. (2001), 169(1-2), 41-45 , XP001023197
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Lerman, Bart E. (DE, US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS What is claimed is :
1. A Cr, Mn, V, Ti, Zr or Hf complex of an anion of the formula (I) wherein : R1 is hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, R2 is hy drogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, and R3 is hy drogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a functional group, provided that R1 and R2 taken together may be ortho arylene or substituted orthoarylene, or R1, R2 and R3 taken together may form one or more rings ; Z is a bridging group of the formula (II), (III) or (IV) Q is nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous or sulfur, provided that when Z is (II), Q is oxygen ; R4 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, provided that when Q is oxygen or sulfur R4 is not present ; R6 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, provided that R3 and R6 together may form a ring ; R7 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, provided that R3, R6 and R7 together may form an aromatic ring, or R6 and R7 taken together may form a ring ; Ra is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl ; R9 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl., provided that R4 and R9 taken together may be part of a dou ble bond to an imino nitrogen atom, or R8 and R9 taken to gether may form a carbonyl with the carbon to which they are attached, or R8 and R9 taken together may form a ring, or R4 and R9 taken together may form a ring, or R4, R8 and R9 taken together may form a ring, or R6, R7, R8 and R9 taken together may form an aromatic ring ; R, Rll, , R12 and R13 are each independently hydrogen, hy drocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, provided that R10, Rll, R12 and R13 taken together may be orthoarylene ; R14 and R15 are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, provided that R14 and R15 taken together may form a carbonyl with the carbon to which they are attached, or R, R13, R14, and R15 taken together may form an oarylene group, or R10, R11, R12, R13, R14, and R15 taken to gether may form a fused aromatic ring system, or R13 and RI4 taken together may form a ring ; R20 and R21 are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, or R20 and R21 taken together may form a ring ; each R22 is individually hydrocarbyl, oxygen or alkoxy, provided that when R22 is oxygen, two of R22 are taken to gether to form T=O ; T is phosphorous or sulfur whose oxidation state is 3 or greater ; and x is equal to the oxidation state of T minus 2.
2. The transition metal complex of claim 1, character ized in that the transition metal is selected from the group consisting of Zr and Ti.
3. The transition metal complex of claim 1, character ized in that R1 and R2 taken together are oarylene, Z is a group of the formula (III), Q is oxygen, and R6, R7, R8 and R9 taken together form an aromatic ring.
4. The transition metal complex of claim 3, character ized in that the anion has the formula (XXVI) wherein : R, R, R, R, R, , R30, R31 and R32 are each independ ently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a functional group, and R28 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or sub stituted hydrocarbyl, provided that any two of R, R, R R, R, R, , R31 and R32 vicinal to one another may be taken together to form a ring, and that R27 and R28 may be taken to gether to form a ring, or R28 and R29 may be taken together to form a ring.
5. The transition metal complex of claim 1, character ized in that the transition metal complex has the formula (V) or (VI) wherein : M is Cr, Mn, V, Ti, Zr or Hf ; m is an integer equal to the valence of M minus 2 ; p is 0 or 1 ; each Ll is independently a monodentate monoanionic li gand and at least for one of L1 an ethylene molecule may in sert between L1 and M, and L2 is a monodentate neutral ligand which may be displaced by ethylene or an empty coordination site, provided that an L1 and 2 taken together may be a monoanionic polydentate ligand and at least for one of these monoanionic polydentate ligands ethylene may insert between said monoanionic polydentate ligand and M ; and each L3 is independently a monodentate monoanionic li gand, and L4 is a monodentate neutral ligand or an empty co ordination site, provided that an L3 and L4 taken together may be a monoanionic bidentate ligand.
6. The transition metal complex of claim 5, character ized in that M is selected from the group consisting of Zr and Ti.
7. The transition metal complex of claim 5, character ized in that R1 and R2 taken together are oarylene, Z is a group of the formula (III), Q is oxygen, and R6, R7, R8 and R9 taken together form an aromatic ring.
8. The transition metal complex of claim 7, character ized in that the transition metal complex has the formula (XXVII) or (XXVIII) (XXVII) (XXVIII) wherein : R24 , R25, R26, R27, R29, R30, R31 and R32 are each independ ently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a functional group, and R 211 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or sub stituted hydrocarbyl, provided that any two of R, R25, R R27, R29, R30, R31 and R32 vicinal to one another may be taken together to form a ring, and that R27 and R28 may be taken to gether to form a ring, or R28 and R29 may be taken together to form a ring.
9. A polymerization catalyst component comprising a transition metal complex, characterized in that the transi tion metal complex is as set forth in any one of claims 18.
10. The polymerization catalyst component of claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises a cocatalyst.
11. A process for the polymerization of olefins, com prising the step of contacting, at a temperature of about 100°C to about +200°C, one or more monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene and an olefin of the for mula H2C=CH (CH2) nH, wherein n is an integer of one or more, with a polymerization catalyst component, characterized in that the polymerization catalyst component is as set forth in claim 9.
12. The process of claim 11, characterized in that the monomers and polymerization catalyst component are contacted in the further presence of a cocatalyst.
Description:
TITLE POLYMERIZATION OF OLEFINS FIELD OF THE INVENTION Olefins, such as ethylene, are polymerized using as a polymerization catalyst selected transition metal complexes of anionic ligands having three donor atoms that may coordi- nate to the transition metal.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND Polymers of olefins are important items of commerce, and these polymers are used in a myriad of ways, from low molecular weight polyolefins being used in lubricants and waxes, to higher molecular weight grades being used for fi- ber, films, molding resins, elastomers, etc.

Olefins may be polymerized by a variety of transition metal containing catalysts, for example metallocene and Ziegler-Natta type catalysts. More recently, other types of transition metal containing polymerization catalysts have been discovered, in which the transition metal atom is com- plexed to a neutral or monoanionic ligand. See, for in- stance, US5714556, US5880241, US6060569, US6174975, W09842664 and W09842665, all of which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes as if fully set forth.

Each type of polymerization catalyst has its advantages and disadvantages, and due the commercial importance of polyole- fins, new polymerization catalysts are constantly being sought.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the present invention concerns a Cr, Mn, V, Ti, Zr or Hf complex of an anion of the formula (I)

wherein : R1 is hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, R2 is hy- drogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, and R3 is hy- drogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a functional group, provided that R1 and R2 taken together may be ortho- arylene or substituted ortho-arylene, or R1, R 2and R3 taken together may form one or more rings ; Z is a bridging group of the formula (II), (III) or (IV) Q is nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous or sulfur, provided that when Z is (II), Q is oxygen ; R4 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, provided that when Q is oxygen or sulfur R4 is not present ; R6 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, provided that R3 and R6 together may form a ring ; R7 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, provided that R3, R6 and R7 together may form an aromatic ring, or R6 and R7 taken together may form a ring ; R8 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl ; R9 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, provided that R4 and R9 taken together may be part of a dou- ble bond to an imino nitrogen atom, or R8 and R9 taken to-

gether may form a carbonyl with the carbon to which they are attached, or R8 and R9 taken together may form a ring, or R4 and R9 taken together may form a ring, or R4, R8 and R9 taken together may form a ring, or R6, R7, R8 and R9 taken together may form an aromatic ring ; R12 and R13 are each independently hydrogen, hy- drocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, provided that R10, Rill Ri2 and R13 taken together may be ortho-arylene ; R14 and R15 are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, provided that R 1-4 and R15 taken together may form a carbonyl with the carbon to which they are attached, or R, R13, R, and R15 taken together may form an o-arylene group, or R10, Rll, , R12, R13 R14, and R15 taken to- gether may form a fused aromatic ring system, or R13 and R14 taken together may form a ring ; R20 and R are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, or R20 and R21 taken together may form a ring ; each R22 is individually hydrocarbyl, oxygen or alkoxy, provided that when R22 is oxygen, two of R22 are taken to- gether to form T=O ; T is phosphorous or sulfur whose oxidation state is 3 or greater ; and x is equal to the oxidation state of T minus 2.

This invention also concerns the aforementioned com- plex, having the formula (V) or (VI)

wherein Rl, R2, R3, R4, Q and Z (and all groups associ- ated with Z) are as defined above for (I) ; M is Cr, Mn, V, Ti, Zr or Hf ; m is an integer equal-to the valence of M minus 2 ; p is 0 or 1 ; each Ll is independently a monodentate monoanionic li- gand and at least for one of Ll an ethylene molecule may in- sert between L1 and M, and L is a monodentate neutral ligand which may be displaced by ethylene or an empty coordination site, provided that an L1 and L2 taken together may be a monoanionic polydentate ligand and at least for one of these monoanionic polydentate ligands ethylene may insert between said monoanionic polydentate ligand and M ; and each L3 is independently a monodentate monoanionic li- gand, and L4 is a monodentate neutral ligand or an empty co- ordination site, provided that an L3 and L4 taken together may be a monoanionic bidentate ligand.

The invention also concerns a polymerization catalyst component comprising the aforementioned complex.

The invention also concerns a first process for the po- lymerization of olefins, comprising the step of contacting, at a temperature of about-100°C to about +200°C, one or more monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene and an olefin of the formula H2C=CH (CH2) nH (XXII), wherein n is an integer of 1 or more, and a polymerization catalyst comprising the aforementioned polymerization catalyst compo- nent.

In the above-mentioned processes, the polymerization catalyst component (the transition metal complex of (I)) may in and of itself be an active catalyst, or may contain a co- catalyst/activator, and/or may be"activated"by contact with a cocatalyst/activator.

Further aspects of the present invention include, for example, the anion of the formula (I) as defined above, and the combination of such complex, (V) and/or (VI) with a co- catalyst.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Herein, certain terms are used. Some of them are : A"hydrocarbyl group"is a univalent group containing only carbon and hydrogen. As examples of hydrocarbyls may be mentioned unsubstituted alkyls, cycloalkyls and aryls.

If not otherwise stated, it is preferred that hydrocarbyl groups herein contain 1 to about 30 carbon atoms.

By"substituted hydrocarbyl"herein is meant a hydro- carbyl group that contains one or more substituent groups which are inert under the process conditions to which the compound containing these groups is subjected (e. g., an in- ert functional group, see below). The substituent groups also do not substantially detrimentally interfere with the polymerization process or operation of the polymerization catalyst system. If not otherwise stated, it is preferred that substituted hydrocarbyl groups herein contain 1 to about 30 carbon atoms. Included in the meaning of"substi- tuted"are chains or rings containing one or more heteroa- toms, such as nitrogen, oxygen and/or sulfur, and the free valence of the substituted hydrocarbyl may be to the het- eroatom. In a substituted hydrocarbyl, all of the hydrogens may be substituted, as in trifluoromethyl.

By" (inert) functional group"herein is meant a group other than hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl that is inert under the process conditions to which the compound containing the group is subjected. The functional groups also do not substantially interfere with any process de- scribed herein that the compound in which they are present may take part in. Examples of functional groups include

halo (fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo), ether such as-OR23 wherein R23 is hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl. In cases in which the functional group may be near a metal atom the functional group should not coordinate to the metal atom more strongly than the groups in those compounds are shown as coordinating to the metal atom, that is they should not displace the desired coordinating group.

By a"cocatalyst"or"catalyst activator"is meant one or more compounds that react with a transition metal com- pound to form an activated (or more active) catalyst spe- cies. A preferred catalyst activator is an"alkyl aluminum compound", that is, a compound which has at least one alkyl group bound to an aluminum atom. Other groups such as alkox- ide, hydride, and halogen may also be bound to aluminum at- oms in the compound.

By"neutral Lewis base"is meant a compound, which is not an ion, that can act as a Lewis base. Examples of such compounds include ethers, amines, sulfides and organic ni- triles.

By"neutral Lewis acid"is meant a compound, which is not an ion, that can act as a Lewis acid. Examples of such compounds include boranes, alkylaluminum compounds, aluminum halides and antimony [V] halides.

By"cationic Lewis acid"is meant a cation that can act as a Lewis acid. Examples of such cations are sodium and silver cations.

By an"empty coordination site"is meant a potential coordination site on a metal atom that does not have a li- gand bound to it. Thus if an ethylene molecule is in the proximity of the empty coordination site, the ethylene mole- cule may coordinate to the metal atom.

By a"ligand into which an ethylene molecule may insert"between the ligand and a metal atom, or a"ligand

that may add to ethylene", is meant a ligand coordinated to the metal atom (which forms a bond L-M) into which an ethylene molecule (or a coordinated ethylene molecule) may insert to start or continue a polymerization. For instance, this may take the form of the reaction (wherein L is a ligand) : By a"ligand which may be displaced by ethylene"is meant a ligand coordinated to a transition metal, which when exposed to ethylene is displaced as the ligand by the ethyl- ene.

By a"neutral ligands meant a ligand that is not charged.

"Alkyl group"and"substituted alkyl group"have their usual meaning (see above for substituted under substituted hydrocarbyl). Unless otherwise stated, alkyl groups and substituted alkyl groups preferably have 1 to about 30 car- bon atoms.

By"aryl"is meant a monovalent aromatic group in which the free valence is to the carbon atom of an aromatic ring.

An aryl may have one or more aromatic rings which may be fused, connected by single bonds or other groups.

By"substituted aryl"is meant a monovalent aromatic group substituted as set forth in the above definition of "substituted hydrocarbyl". Similar to an aryl, a substi- tuted aryl may have one or more aromatic rings which may be fused, connected by single bonds or other groups ; however, when the substituted aryl has a heteroaromatic ring, the free valence in the substituted aryl group can be to a het- eroatom (such as nitrogen) of the heteroaromatic ring in- stead of a carbon.

By a"X-allyl group"is meant a monoanionic ligand with 1 Sp3 and two adjacent sp2 carbon atoms bound to a metal cen- ter in a delocalized zu fashion. The three carbon atoms may be substituted with other hydrocarbyl groups or functional groups.

By"ortho-arylene" (or"o-arylene") is meant a divalent aryl group in which the free valencies are on adjacent car- bon atoms. The o-arylene ring may be part of a fused and/or heterocyclic ring system and/or contain substituents such as hydrocarbyl groups or functional groups.

The polymerizations herein are carried out by a transi- tion metal complex of anion (I). Many of the groups in (I) may have various forms, that is they may be"simple"groups such as hydrogen or alkyl, or they may participate in multi- ple bonds such as an imino bond to nitrogen or a carbon atom in an aromatic ring and/or they may be part of ring or ring systems. Some of these groups may optionally for instance be part of two different rings. Clearly simple valence rules are not broken in these anions and compounds, for ex- ample carbon will have a valence of 4. Thus if a particular group is part of one ring, it cannot be part of another ring- or group that would violate these simple valence rules.

In order to illustrate this, and since (I) and its con- jugate acid and transition metal complexes may have various individual structures, some of the conjugate acid structures are shown below, with certain salient features pointed out.

In (VII), referring back to structure (I), R1 and R2 are taken together to form o-arylene (o-phenylene) ; R3 is R28 ; Z is (III) ; R6, R', R8 and R9 are taken together to form an aro- matic ring ; and Q is oxygen. Generally in (VII), R24, R25, R, R, R29, R30, R31 and R32 are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a functional group, and R28 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, provided that any two of R24, R25, R26, R27, R29, R30, R31 and R32 vicinal to one another may be taken together to form a ring, and that R27 and R28 may be taken together to form a ring, or R28 and R29 may be taken together to form a ring.

In (VIII), R3-and R2are taken together to form o- arylene (o-phenylene) ; R3 is hydrogen ; Z is (III) ; R6 and R7 are hydrogen ; R8 and R9 are trifluoromethyl ; and Q is oxygen.

In (IX), R1 and R2 are taken together to form o-arylene (o-phenylene) ; R3 is hydrogen ; Z is (III) ; R6 and R7 are hy- drogen ; R8 and R9 are taken together to form a carbonyl with the carbon to which they are attached ; and Q is oxygen.

In (X), Ru, R2 and R3 are taken together to form a fused ring system, Z is (III), R6, R', R8 and R9 are taken together to form an aromatic ring, and Q is oxygen.

In (XI), R1 are R2 are taken together to form o-arylene (o-phenylene) ; R3 is hydrogen ; Z is (III) ; R6, R', R8 and R9 are taken together to form an aromatic ring ; and Q is sul- fur.

In (XII), R1 and R2 are taken together to form o-arylene (o-phenylene) ; R3 is hydrogen ; Z is (II) ; R20 and R21 are hy- drogen ; x is 4 ; T is sulfur ; two each (twice) of R22 are taken together to form S=O ; and Q is oxygen.

In (XIII), R1 and R2 are taken together to form o- arylene (o-phenylene) ; R3 is hydrogen ; Z is (II) ; R° and R2l are hydrogen ; x is 3 ; T is phosphorous ; two of R22 are taken together to form P=O ; the other of R22 is alkoxy ; and Q is oxygen.

In (XIV), R1 and R2 are taken together to form o-arylene (o-phenylene) ; R3 is hydrogen ; Z is (III) ; R6, R7 and R8 are hydrogen ; R4 and R9 are taken together to form a ring ; and Q is nitrogen.

In (XV), Rz is trifluoromethyl ; R2 is hydrogen ; R3 is methyl ; Z is (III) ; R6, R7, R8 and R9 are taken together to form an aromatic ring ; and Q is oxygen.

In (XVI), R1 and R2 are taken together to form o-arylene (o-phenylene) ; R3 is hydrogen ; Z is (IV) ; R'O, R, R12 and R13 are taken together form o-arylene ; R14 and R15 are taken to- gether together form a carbonyl with the carbon to which they are attached ; R4 is 2, 6-di-iso-propylphenyl ; and Q is nitrogen.

In (XVII), R1 and R2 are taken together to form o- arylene (o-phenylene) ; R3 is hydrogen ; Z is (III) ; R6 and R7 are hydrogen ; R8 is methyl ; R4 and R9 are taken together to form a ring ; and Q is nitrogen.

In (XVIII), Rl and R2 are taken together to form o- arylene (o-phenylene) ; R3 is hydrogen ; Z is (III) ; R6, R7 and Ra are hydrogen ; R4 and R9 are taken together to form a ring ; and Q is nitrogen.

In (XIX), R1 and R2 are taken together to form o-arylene (o-phenylene) ; R3 is hydrogen ;. Z is (IV) ; R10, R11, R12 and R13 are taken together to form o-arylene ; R14 and R15 are taken together to form a carbonyl with the carbon to which they are attached ; and Q is oxygen.

In (XX), R1 and R2 are taken together to form o-arylene (o-phenylene) ; R3 is hydrogen ; Z is (IV) ; R10, R R12, Rl3, R14 and Ris are taken together to form a fused aromatic ring system ; and Q is oxygen.

In (XXI), Rl and R2 are taken together to form o-arylene (o-phenylene) ; R3 is hydrogen ; Z is (IV) ; Rl° and Rll are hy- drogen ; Rl2, R13, R14 and R15 are taken together to form an o- arylene group ; and Q is oxygen.

In all of compounds (VII) through (XXI), groups and/or substituents may be changed where appropriate, for example methyl groups may be changed to other hydrocarbyl groups or hydrogen, hydrogen may be change to hydrocarbyl or func- tional groups.

A preferred anion (I), and all of its conjugate acid and metal complexes, is (VII), which is shown in the conju- gate acid form. In its anion form, (VII) can be represented by the formula (XXVI) In its metal complex form, (VII) can be represented by the formulas (XXVII) and (XXVIII)

In (VII), (XXVI), (XXVII) and (XXVIII), it is preferred that : any or all of R24 through R32 are hydrogen ; and/or R24 and R26 are nitro ; and/or R24 and R26 are alkyls containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, especially t-butyl ; R29 is an alkyl containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, espe- cially methyl ; and/or R2G and R27 taken together form an aromatic ring, expe- cially a 6-membered carbocylic aromatic ring.

In preferred specific compounds of (VII), (XXVI), (XXVII) and (XXVIII), R25, R27, R28, R30, R31 and R32 are hydro- gen, R is methyl, and R24 and R are nitro ; or R25, Ra, R R, R3l and R32 are hydrogen, R is methyl, and R24 and R are t-butyl ; or R, R, R, R IR and R are hydrogen, R is methyl, and R26 and R27 taken together form a 6-membered carbocyclic aromatic ring.

The structure illustrated by (I) is not meant to pre- clude other tautomers, and all such tautomers are included herein. For instance such structures (partial structures shown) may include : The conjugate acids of (I) can be made by a variety of methods, most of which are familiar to the skilled organic synthetic chemist, and which method (s) are chosen will de- pend on the particular structure desired, such as (VII) through (XXI). In all instances, if certain substitu- ents/substitution patterns are desired, starting materials with those substituents/substitution patterns may be used.

For example, (VII) may be made by reacting an appropriate salicylaldehyde with an appropriate 2-hydroxy-2- aminomethylpyridine. (VIII) may be made by reacting sali- cylaldehyde with 3, 3, 3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2- trifluoromethylpropylamine. (IX) can be made by reacting aminoacetic acid with salicylaldehyde. (X) can be made by reacting salicylaldehyde with 5-hydroxy-1, 4- naphthalenedione. (XI) may be made by salicylaldehyde with 2-thioaniline. (XII) may be made by reacting salicylalde-

hyde with methyl aminomethyl sulfonate and hydrolyzing the resulting sulfonic ester-imine to the sulfonic acid-imine.

(XIII) may be made by reacting salicylaldehyde with dimethyl aminomethyl phosphite and hydrolyzing the resulting phos- phite diester-imine to the phosphite ester-acid-imine.

(XIV) may be made by reacting salicylaldehyde with 4- aminomethyl-3-pyrrolin-2-one. (XV) may be made by reacting 1, 1, 1-trifluoro-2, 5-pentanedione with 2-hydroxyaniline.

(XVI) can be made by reacting o-aminobenzoic acid with sali- cylaldehyde, converting the resulting iminocarboxylic acid to the acyl halide and reacting the acyl halide with 2, 6- diisopropylaniline. Some of these types of syntheses are also given in the Examples.

(I), the anion of the above conjugate acids, can be prepared by reaction of the conjugate acid with a strong base, such as an alkali metal hydride, an alkali metal alk- oxide or a lithium disilylamide. It is preferred at this point that the cation (s) to this anion is an alkali metal cation, such as lithium, sodium and potassium. (I) may iso- lated as a salt and then used to form the transition metal compound, or may be formed and used in situ to produce the transition metal compound. The transition metal compound of (I) may be prepared by reacting (I) with an appropriate com- pound of the transition metal. For early transition metals such as Zr and Ti, the transition metal compound may be a halide such as TiCl4 or ZrCl4, in which case the ligands other than (I) attached to the metal will be halide such as chloride.

If (VI) is not already equivalent to (V), it may be converted to (V) before or during the polymerization process by reaction with other appropriate compounds (such as co- catalysts). Alternatively, the conjugate acid of (I) can be reacted with a transition metal compound such as TiCl4,

TiCl4'2THF or ZrCl4 in the presence of a base to neutralize the liberated hydrohalic acid.

In some of the structures written herein, such as (V) and (VI), it is not meant that (I) is a tridentate ligand, although it may be. The structures are written as they are for convenience, and to show that the anionic ligands (I) could be tridentate, but they may be only bidentate or even monodentate. Although it is believed in theory the ligands can be tridentate, the Applicants do not wish to be bound by this theory.

As implied above, (I) will normally be associated with a positively charged species, such as a cation. This may be a transition metal cation (as in (V)), or may be another ca- tion such as an alkali metal cation.

In (V) useful groups L1 include halide (especially chlo- ride), hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl (especially phenyl and alkyl, and particularly phenyl, methyl, hydride and acyl). Useful groups for L include phosphine such as triphenylphosphine, nitrile such as acetonitrile, ethers such as ethyl ether, pyridine, and tertiary alkylamines such as triethylamine and TMEDA (N, N, N', N'-tetramethyl-1, 2- ethylenediamine). Alternatively L1 and L2 taken together may be a s-allyl or s-benzyl group such as and

wherein R is hydrocarbyl, and s-allyl and s-benzyl groups are preferred.

In another variation, 3 and L4 taken together may be a ß-diketonate ligand. If this ligand is present in (VI), it may be converted to (V) by use of a suitable alkylating agent such as an alkylaluminum compound, Grignard reagent or alkyllithium compound.

In (V) when ethylene may insert between Ll and the tran- sition metal atom, and L2 is an empty coordination site or is a ligand which may be displaced by ethylene, or Ll and L2 taken together are a bidentate monoanionic ligand into which ethylene may be inserted between that ligand and the transi- tion metal atom, (V) may by itself catalyze the polymeriza- tion of an olefin. Examples of L1 which form bonds with the transition metal into which ethylene may insert are hydro- carbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl, especially phenyl and alkyl, and particularly methyl, hydride and acyl. Ligands L2 which ethylene may displace include phosphine such as tri- phenylphosphine, nitrile such as acetonitrile, ether such as ethyl ether, pyridine, tertiary alkylamines such as TMEDA,

and other olefins such as ethylene or isobutylene. Ligands in which Ll and L2 taken together are a monoanionic polyden- tate ligand into which ethylene may insert between that li- gand and the transition metal atom include s-allyl-or n- benzyl-type ligands (in this instance, sometimes it may be necessary to add a neutral Lewis acid cocatalyst such as triphenylborane to initiate the polymerization, see for in- stance previously incorporated US6174975). For a summary of which ligands ethylene may insert into (between the ligand and transition metal atom) see, for instance, J. P. Collman, et al., Principles and Applications of Organotransition Metal Chemistry, University Science Book, Mill Valley, CA, 1987, included. herein by reference. If for instance L1 is not a ligand into which ethylene may insert between it an the transition metal atom, it may be possible to add a co- catalyst which may convert Ll into a ligand which will un- dergo such an insertion. Thus if L1 is halo such as chloride or bromide, or carboxylate, it may be converted to hydrocar- byl such as alkyl by use of a suitable alkylating agent such as an alkylaluminum compound, a Grignard reagent or an al- kyllithium compound. It may be converted to hydride by use of a compound such as sodium borohydride.

As indicated above, when L1 and L2 taken together are a monoanionic polydentate ligand, a cocatalyst (sometimes also called an activator) which is an alkylating or hydriding agent is also typically present in the olefin polymeriza- tion. A preferred cocatalyst is an alkylaluminum compound, and useful alkylaluminum compounds include trialkylaluminum compounds such as triethylaluminum, trimethylaluminum and tri-iso-butylaluminum, alkyl aluminum halides such as dieth- ylaluminum chloride and ethylaluminum dichloride, and alu- minoxanes such as methylaluminoxane. More than one such co- catalyst may be used in combination.

In (VI) in one preferred form at least one of L3 is a ligand into which ethylene may insert between L3 and the transition metal atom, and L4 is an empty coordination site or a ligand which may be displaced by ethylene. In another preferred form of (VI), each of L3 is a ligand into which ethylene may not insert between that ligand and the transi- tion metal atom, such as halide, especially chloride, and carboxylate.

In the transition metal complexes of the present inven- tion preferred metals are Ti and Zr. Generally speaking early transition metal complexes such as Ti and Zr produce polymers with the"expected"number and length of branches (see previously incorporated US5880241 for an explanation of "expected"branching). For example homopolyethylene will have essentially no branching (after correcting for end groups), while poly (l-hexene) will have an n-butyl branch every other carbon atom (on average) of the main polymer chain.

A preferred olefin is ethylene, and when olefins other than ethylene are polymerized, it is preferred that they be copolymers with ethylene. In other preferred olefins n is 1 to 20.

In the polymerization processes herein, the temperature at which the polymerization is carried out is about-100°C to about +200°C, preferably about-60°C to about 150°C, more preferably about-20°C to about 100°C. The pressure of the olefin (if it is a gas) at which the polymerization is car- ried out is not critical, atmospheric pressure to about 275 MPa being a suitable range.

The polymerization processes herein may be run in the presence of various liquids, particularly aprotic organic liquids. The catalyst system, monomer (s) and/or polymer may be soluble or insoluble in these liquids, but obviously

these liquids should not prevent the polymerization from oc- curring. Suitable liquids include alkanes, cycloalkanes, selected halogenated hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons.

Specific useful solvents include hexane, toluene, benzene methylene chloride, and 1, 2, 4-trichlorobenzene.

The olefin polymerizations herein may also initially be carried out in the"solid state"by, for instance, support- ing the transition metal compound on a substrate such as silica or alumina, activating it if necessary with one or more cocatalysts and contacting it with the olefin (s). Al- ternatively, the support may first be contacted (reacted) with one or more cocatalysts (if needed) such as an alkyla- luminum compound, and then contacted with an appropriate transition metal compound. The support may also be able to take the place of a Lewis or Bronsted acid, for instance an acidic clay such as montmorillonite, if needed. These"het- erogeneous"catalysts may be used to catalyze polymerization in the gas phase or the liquid phase. By gas phase is meant that a gaseous olefin is transported to contact with the catalyst particle.

In all of the polymerization processes described herein oligomers and polymers of the various olefins are made.

They may range in molecular weight from oligomeric POs (polyolefins), to lower molecular weight oils and waxes, to higher molecular weight POs. One preferred product is a polymer with a degree of polymerization (DP) of about 10 or more, preferably about 40 or more. By"DP"is meant the av- erage number of repeat (monomer) units in a polymer mole- cule.

Depending on their properties, the polymers made by the processes described herein are useful in many ways. For in- stance if they are thermoplastics, they may be used as mold- ing resins, for extrusion, films, etc. If they are elasto-

meric, they may be used as elastomers. See for instance previously incorporated US5880241.

Depending on the process conditions used and the polym- erization catalyst system chosen, polymers, even those made from the same monomer (s) may have varying properties. Some of the properties that may change are molecular weight and molecular weight distribution.

It is known that blends of distinct polymers, that vary for instance in the properties listed above, may have advan- tageous properties compared to"single"polymers. For in- stance it is known that polymers with broad or bimodal mo- lecular weight distributions may be melt processed (be shaped) more easily than narrower molecular weight distribu- tion polymers. Thermoplastics such as crystalline polymers may often be toughened by blending with elastomeric poly- mers.

Therefore, methods of producing polymers that inher- ently produce polymer blends are useful especially if a later separate (and expensive) polymer mixing step can be avoided. However in such polymerizations one should be aware that two different catalysts may interfere with one another, or interact in such a way as to give a single poly- mer.

In such a process the transition metal containing po- lymerization catalyst disclosed herein can be termed the first active polymerization catalyst. Monomers useful with these catalysts are those described (and also preferred) above. A second active polymerization catalyst (and option- ally one or more others) is used in conjunction with the first active polymerization catalyst. The second active po- lymerization catalyst may be a transition metal catalyst, for example as described in previously incorporated US5714556, US5880241, US6060569 and US6174975, as well as

US5955555 which is also incorporated by reference herein for all purposes as if fully set forth.

Other useful types of catalysts may also be used for the second active polymerization catalyst. For instance so- called Ziegler-Natta and/or metallocene-type catalysts may also be used. These types of catalysts are well known in the polyolefin field, see for instance Angew. Chem., Int.

Ed. Engl., vol. 34, p. 1143-1170 (1995), EP-A-0416815 and US5198401 for information about metallocene-type catalysts, and J. Boor Jr., Ziegler-Natta Catalysts and Polymeriza- tions, Academic Press, New York, 1979 for information about Ziegler-Natta-type catalysts, all of which are hereby in- cluded by reference. Many of the useful polymerization con- ditions for all of these types of catalysts and the first active polymerization catalysts coincide, so conditions for the polymerizations with first and second active polymeriza- tion catalysts are easily accessible. Oftentimes the"co- catalyst"or"activator"is needed for metallocene or Zieg- ler-Natta-type polymerizations. In many instances the same compound, such as an alkylaluminum compound, may be used as an"activator"for some or all of these various polymeriza- tion catalysts.

In one preferred process described herein the first olefin (s) (olefin (s) polymerized by the first active polym- erization catalyst) and second olefin (s) (the monomer (s) po- lymerized by the second active polymerization catalyst) are identical. The second olefin may also be a single olefin or a mixture of olefins to make a copolymer.

In some processes herein the first active polymeriza- tion catalyst may polymerize a monomer that may not be po- lymerized by said second active polymerization catalyst, and/or vice versa. In that instance two chemically distinct polymers may be produced. In another scenario two monomers

would be present, with one polymerization catalyst producing a copolymer, and the other polymerization catalyst producing a homopolymer.

Likewise, conditions for such polymerizations, using catalysts of the second active polymerization type, will also be found in the appropriate above mentioned references.

Two chemically different active polymerization cata- lysts are used in this polymerization process. The first active polymerization catalyst is described in detail above.

The second active polymerization catalyst may also meet the limitations of the first active polymerization catalyst, but must be chemically distinct. For instance, it may utilize a different ligand that differs in structure between the first and second active polymerization catalysts. In one pre- ferred process, the ligand type and the metal are the same, but the ligands differ in their substituents.

Included within the definition of two active polymeri- zation catalysts are systems in which a single polymeriza- tion catalyst is added together with another ligand, pref- erably the same type of ligand, which can displace the original ligand coordinated to the metal of the original ac- tive polymerization catalyst, to produce in situ two differ- ent polymerization catalysts.

The molar ratio of the first active polymerization catalyst to the second active polymerization catalyst used will depend on the ratio of polymer from each catalyst de- sired, and the relative rate of polymerization of each cata- lyst under the process conditions. For instance, if one wanted to prepare a"toughened"thermoplastic polyethylene that contained 80% crystalline polyethylene and 20% rubbery polyethylene, and the rates of polymerization of the two catalysts were equal, then one would use a 4 : 1 molar ratio of the catalyst that gave crystalline polyethylene to the

catalyst that gave rubbery polyethylene. More than two ac- tive polymerization catalysts may also be used if the de- sired product is to contain more than two different types of polymer.

The polymers made by the first active polymerization catalyst and the second active polymerization catalyst may be made in sequence, i. e., a polymerization with one (either first or second) of the catalysts followed by a polymeriza- tion with the other catalyst, as by using two polymerization vessels in series. However it is preferred to carry out the polymerization using the first and second active polymeriza- tion catalysts in the same vessel (s), i. e., simultaneously.

This is possible because in most instances the first and second active polymerization catalysts are compatible with each other, and they produce their distinctive polymers in the other catalyst's presence. Any of the processes appli- cable to the individual catalysts may be used in this polym- erization process with 2 or more catalysts, i. e., gas phase, liquid phase, continuous, etc.

The polymers produced by this two-catalyst process may vary in molecular weight and/or molecular weight distribu- tion and/or melting point and/or level of crystallinity, and/or glass transition temperature and/or other factors.

The polymers produced are useful as molding and extrusion resins and in films as for packaging. They may have advan- tages such as improved melt processing, toughness and im- proved low temperature properties.

Catalyst components which include transition metal com- plexes of (I), with or without other materials such as one or more cocatalysts and/or other polymerization catalysts are also disclosed herein. For example, such a catalyst component could include the transition metal complex sup- ported on a support such as alumina, silica, a polymer, mag-

nesium chloride, sodium chloride, etc., with or without other components being present. It may simply be a solution of the complex, or a slurry of the complex in a liquid, with or without a support being present.

In the Examples, all pressures are gauge pressures.

Branching was determined by 1H NMR, taking the total of the methyl carbon atoms as the number of branches. Branching is uncorrected for end groups. Some of the transition metal complexes may have one or more molecules of THF coordinated per molecule of complex.

In the Examples, the following abbreviations are used : AH-heat of fusion Mn-number average molecular weight Mw-weight average molecular weight PE-polyethylene PMAO-methylaluminoxane in toluene, 15. 5 wt. % Al, from Akzo Chemicals, Inc.

RT-room temperature THF-tetrahydrofuran Tm-melting point by differential scanning calorime- try, taken as the peak of the melting endotherm at a heating rate of 10°C/min.

EXAMPLE 1-Synthesis of {[3', 5'-(NO2) 2-2'-OH]- (C6H2)} CH=N [ (C6H3)-2-OH-6-Me] A sample of 1. 9901 g (9. 38 mmol) of 3, 5- dinitrosalicylaldehyde and a sample of 1. 271 g (10. 32 mmol) of 2-amino-m-cresol were placed in about 20 mL of methanol in a 100 mL flask and 5 drops of formic acid were added at RT. A yellow precipitate formed immediately. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight, then filtered to collect the yellow solid. Since the solid could not be dissolved in ether or methylene chloride or THF, it was rinsed with THF and dried under vacuo. A yellow powdery product. (2. 3338 g,

7. 36 mmol) was obtained in 78% yield. H NMR (d8-THF) : 2. 61 (s, 3H, CH3), 6. 87 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7. 13 (t, 1H, Ar-H), 8. 69 (d, 1H, Ar-H), 8. 81 (d, 1H, Ar-H), 9. 56 (s, 1H, OH), 10. 05 (s, 1H, OH), 10. 82 (s, 1H, C-H).

EXAMPLE 2-Synthesis of {[3', 5'-(t-Bu) 2-2'-OH]- (C6H2)} CH=N [ (C6H3)-2-OH-6-Me] A sample of 2. 6122 g (11. 15 mmol) of 3, 5-di-tert- butylsalicylaldehyde and a sample of 1. 5102 g (12. 26 mmol) of 2-amino-m-cresol were placed in about 20 mL of methanol in a 100 mL flask and 5 drops of formic acid were added at RT. The reaction mixture'was stirred overnight, then fil- tered through Celite@. After removal of solvent, the orange oil residue was dissolved in ether and anhydrous sodium sul- fate was added to the solution. After sodium sulfate and the solvent were removed, an orange oil was obtained, which was solidified later in a dry box freezer. A yellow solid (3. 176 g, 9. 36 mmol) was obtained in 84% yield. H NMR (CDC13) : 1. 25 (s, 9H, t-Bu), 1. 41 (s, 9H, t-Bu), 2. 19 (s, 3H, CH3), 6. 75 (d, 2H, Ar-H), 6. 92 (t, 1H, Ar-H), 7. 10 (d, 1H, Ar-H), 7. 44 (d, 1H, Ar-H), 8. 54 (s, 1H, C-H).

EXAMPLE 3-Synthesis of (2-OH-Cl0H6) CH=N [(C6H3)-2-OH-6-Me] A sample of 4. 122 g (0. 024 mmol) of 2-hydroxy-1- naphthaldehyde and a sample of 3. 833 g (0. 0311 mmol) of 2- amino-m-cresol were placed in about 50 mL of methanol in a 250 mL flask and 5 drops of formic acid were added at RT.

The reaction mixture was stirred 3 days and filtered to col- lect the yellow solid. Dried under vacuo, 5. 7829 g (0. 0208 mol) of yellow powder was obtained in 87% yield. It was in- soluble in THF, CH2Cl2, ether and C6H6, so no NMR data are available.

EXAMPLE 4-Synthesis of Na2 { { [3', 5'- (N02) 2-21-0]- (C6H2) CH=N [(C6H3)-2-O-6-Me]} In a dry-box, sodium hydride (0. 65 g, 27 mmol) was slowly added to a flask containing a THF solution of the salicylaldimine (1. 7028 g, 5. 37 mmol) of Example 1. The re- action mixture was stirred overnight and filtered through a CeliteX plug on the frit. The solvent was removed from the filtrate to yield dark-red solid product that was then rinsed with pentane and dried under vacuo. A dark-red pow- dery product (2. 25 g, 5. 61 mmol) was obtained in quantita- tive yield. 1H NMR (d8-THF) : 1. 75 (m, CH2-THF coordinated), 2. 09 (s, 3H, CH3), 3. 58 (m, CH2-THF coordinated), 6. 00 (br, 1H, Ar-H), 6. 12 (br, 1H, Ar-H), 6. 5 (br, 1H, Ar-H), 8. 16 (br, 1H, Ar-H), 8. 34 (br, 1H, Ar-H), 8. 55 (s, 1H, C-H).

EXAMPLE 5-Synthesis of Na2 {{[3', 5'-(t-Bu) 2-2'-O]- (C6H2)} CH=N [(C6H30-2-O-6-Me]} In a dry-box, sodium hydride (0. 8569 g, 35. 7 mmol) was slowly added to a flask containing a THF solution of the salicylaldimine (2. 6934 g, 7. 933 mmol). The reaction mix- ture was stirred 2 h and filtered through a Celitet plug on the frit. The solvent was removed from the filtrate to yield a greenish yellow solid product that was then rinsed with pentane and dried under vacuo. A greenish-yellow pow- der product (3. 1428 g, 5. 96 mmol) was obtained in 75% yield.

1H NMR (C6D6) : 1. 35 (m, CH2-THF coordinated), 1. 52 (s, 9H, t- Bu), 1. 68 (br, 9H, t-Bu), 2. 36 (br, 3H, CH3), 3. 58 (m, CH2- THF coordinated), 6. 68 (br, 2H, Ar-H), 7. 0 (br, 1H, Ar-H), 7. 18 (br, 1H, Ar-H), 7. 60 (br, 1H, Ar-H), 8. 45 (br, 1H, C-H).

EXAMPLE 6-Synthesis of Na2 (2-O-Cl0H6) CH=N [(C6H3)-2-0-6-Me] In a dry-box, sodium hydride (0. 4714 g, 19. 64 mmol) was slowly added to a flask containing a THF suspension of the salicylaldimine (2. 4758 g; 8. 93 mmol). The reaction mixture

was stirred 2 h and filtered through a CeliteX plug on the frit. The solvent was removed from the filtrate to yield a yellow solid product that was then rinsed with pentane and dried under vacuo. Yellow crude product (3. 223 g) was ob- tained. Recrystallized from a THF-pentane mixture, an or- ange crystalline solid was obtained. H NMR (C6D6-THF-d8) : 1. 42 (m, CH2-THF coordinated), 1. 98 (br, 3H, CH3), 3. 48 (m, CH2-THF coordinated), 6. 38 (d, 1H, Ar-H), 6. 48 (d, 1H, Ar-H), 6. 62 (d, 1H, Ar-H), 6. 90 (t, 1H, Ar-H), 7. 16 (t, 1H, Ar-H), 7. 30 (t, 1H, Ar-H), 7. 35 (d, 1H, Ar-H), 7. 44 (d, 1H, Ar-H), 7. 65 (d, 1H, Ar-H), 8. 45 (s, 1H, C-H).

EXAMPLE 7-Synthesis of {{[3',5'-(t-Bu)2-2'-O]- (C6H2)} CH=N [(C6H3)-2-0-6-Me]} TiCl2 : 1 A. In a dry-box, a solution containing a sample of 0. 7298 g (1. 383 mmol) of the product of Example 5 in 20 mL of pentane was added dropwise to a precooled solution of TiCl4 (0. 2624 g, 1. 383 mmol) in pentane at-30°C. A red brown solid formed and the reaction mixture was stirred 2 days, then the solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue was extracted with methylene chloride. After removal of the solvent, a dark brown powder (0. 7406 g, 1. 23 mmol) was ob- tained in 89% yield. 1H NMR (C6D6) : 1. 06 (s, 18H, t-Bu), 1. 90 (s, 3H, CH3), 6. 3 (d, 1H, Ar-H), 6. 55 (t, 1H, Ar-H), 6. 8-7. 0 (br, 3H, Ar-H), 7. 41 (s, 1H, C-H). Another isomer : 1. 16 (s, 18H, t-Bu), 1. 82 (s, 3H, CH3), 6. 15 (d, 1H, Ar-H), 6. 8-7. 0 (br, 4H, Ar-H), 8. 20 (s, 1H, C-H).

B. In a dry-box, a solution containing a sample of 0. 2575 g (0. 488 mmol) of the product of Example 5 in 20 mL of pentane was added dropwise to a pre-cooled solution of TiCl4' (THF) 2 (0. 1630 g, 0. 488 mmol) in pentane at-30°C. A red brown solid formed and the reaction mixture was stirred 2 d, then the solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue was extracted with methylene chloride. After removal of the

solvent, a dark red crystalline solid (0. 221 g, 0. 418 mmol) was obtained in 86% yield. 1H NMR (CD2C12) : 1. 39 (s, 9H, t- Bu), 1. 52 (s, 9H, t-Bu), 1. 90 (m, 4H, CH2-THF coordinated), 2. 54 (s, 3H, CH3), 4. 12 (m, 4H, CH2-THF coordinated), 6. 38 (d, 1H, Ar-H), 6. 70 (br, H, Ar-H), 7. 02 (br, 1H, Ar-H), 7. 25 (br, 1H, Ar-H), 7. 64 (br, 1H, Ar-H), 8. 69 (br, 1H, C-H).

The structure of the product was confirmed by X-ray for sin- gle crystal structure.

EXAMPLE 8-Synthesis of {{[3', 5'-(t-Bu) 2-2'-O]- (C6H2)} CH=N [(C6H3)-2-O-6-Me]}ZrCl2 : 2 A. In a dry-box, a solution containing a sample of 0. 5462 g (1. 035 mmol) of the product of Example 5 in 20 mL of pentane was added dropwise to a pre-cooled solution of ZrCl4 (0. 2412 g, 1. 035 mmol) in pentane at-30°C. The yel- low reaction mixture was stirred 3 days, then the solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue was extracted with tolu- ene. After removal of the solvent, a yellow powder was ob- tained, 0. 3009 g (0. 602 mmol) in 58% yield. 1H NMR, (C6D6) : contained three different isomers and was very complicated.

B. In a dry-box, a solution containing a sample of 0. 2558 g (0. 485 mmol) of the product of Example 5 in 20 mL of pentane was added dropwise to a precooled solution of ZrCl4 (THF) 2 (0. 1829 g, 0. 485 mmol) in pentane at-30°C. The yellow reaction mixture was stirred overnight, then the sol- vent was removed in vacuo. The residue was extracted with methylene chloride. After removal of the solvent and rins- ing with pentane, a yellow solid was obtained, 0. 166 g (0. 332 mmol) in 69% yield.

EXAMPLE 9-Synthesis of { { [3', 5'- (N02-2'-0]- (C6H2)} CH=N [ (C6H3)-2-0-6-Me]} TiCl2 : 3 In a dry-box, a solution containing a sample of 0. 1097 g (0. 2736 mmol) of the product of Example 4 in 10 mL of methylene chloride was added dropwise to a precooled solu-

tion of TiCl4 (0. 0. 0519 g, 0. 2376 mmol) in 20 mL of pentane at-30°C. The red reaction mixture was stirred overnight and filtered through a CeliteX plug on a frit, then the sol- vent was removed in vacuo. A dark red powder was obtained.

1H NMR (C6D6) : it was a mixture of three different compounds.

EXAMPLE 10-Synthesis of {{[3', 5'-(N02) 2-2-O]- (C6H2)} CH=N [ (C6H3)-2-O-6-Me]} ZrCl2 : 4 In a dry-box, a solution containing a sample of 0. 4775 g (1. 191 mmol) of the product of Example 4 in 10 mL of tolu- ene and THF (10 : 1) mixture was added dropwise to a precooled suspension of ZrCl4 (0. 2776 g, 1. 191 mmol) in 20 mL of tolu- ene at-30°C. The dark red reaction mixture was stirred 3 days and the solvents were removed under vacuo. The brown residue was extracted by methylene chloride. After the sol- vent was removed in vacuo, 0. 1450 g of yellow orange powder was obtained, which was a very insoluble material, and therefore it was not be characterized by NMR.

EXAMPLE 11-Synthesis of {{[3', 5'-(t-Bu) 2-2'-O]- (C6H2)} CH=N [ (C6H3)-2-0-6-Me]} VCl2 : 5 In a dry-box, a solution containing a sample of 0. 5605 g (1. 062 mmol) of the product of Example 5 in 20 mL of pen- tane was added dropwise to a pre-cooled suspension of VC13 (0. 1671 g, 1. 062 mmol) in 20 mL of pentane at-30°C. The dark red reaction mixture was stirred overnight and the sol- vent was removed under vacuo. The black residue was ex- tracted by CH2C12 and THF. After the solvent was removed in vacuo, a golden yellow powder was obtained. H NMR (CD2Cl2) 1. 25 (br, 9H, t-Bu), 1. 34 (s, 9H, t-Bu), 1. 81 (m, CH2-THF co- ordinated), 2. 41 (s, 3H, CH3), 3. 68 (m, CH2-THF coordinated), 6. 26 (d, 1H, Ar-H), 6. 45 (br, 1H, Ar-H), 6. 72 (br, 1H, Ar- H), 6. 98 (br, 1H, Ar-H), 7. 38 (br, 1H, Ar-H), 8. 39 (very broad, 1H, C-H).

EXAMPLE 12-Synthesis of ff [31, 5- (t-BU) 2-2'-Ol- (CgH2)} CH=N [ (C6H3)-2-0-6-Me]} HfCl2 : 6 In a dry-box, a solution containing a sample of. 0. 1560 g (0. 296 mmol) of the product of Example 5 in 20 mL of pen- tane was added dropwise to a precooled suspension of HfCl4 (0. 0947 g, 0. 296 mmol) in pentane at-30°C. The yellow re- action mixture was stirred overnight, then the solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue was extracted with toluene.

After removal of the solvent, a yellow powder was obtained.

H NMR (C6D6) : contained three different isomers and similar to its Zr analog.

EXAMPLE 13-Synthesis of {{[3',5'-(t-Bu)2-2'-O] (C6H2) CH=N [(c6H3)-2-o-6-Me]} MnF : 7 In a dry-box, a solution containing a sample of 0. 0726 g (0. 138 mmol) of the product of Example 5 in 10 mL of pen- tane was added dropwise to a precooled suspension of MnF3 (0. 0154 g, 0. 138 mmol) in 10 mL of pentane at-30°C. The brown yellow reaction mixture was stirred 3 d, then the sol- vent was removed in vacuo. The residue was extracted with methylene chloride. After removal of the solvent, a brown yellow powder was obtained. 1H NMR (C6D6) : very broad due to the paramagnetism of the product.

EXAMPLE 14-Synthesis of {{[3', 5'-(t-Bu) 2-2'-O] (C6H2) CH=N [(C6H3)-2-0-6-Me]} CrCl. THF : 8 In a dry-box, a solution containing a sample of 0. 1214 g (0. 23 mmol) of the product of Example 5 in 10 mL of pen- tane was added dropwise to a pre-cooled suspension of CrCl3 (THF) 3 (0. 0862 g, 0. 23 mmol) in 10 mL of pentane at -30°C. The reaction mixture with yellow solid was stirred 3 days, then the solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue was extracted with CH2Cl2. After removal of the solvent and rinsing with pentane, a brown powder was obtained. 1H NMR (C6D6) : very broad due to the paramagnetism of the product.

EXAMPLE 15-Synthesis of (2-O-CloH6) CH=N [(C6H3)-2-0-6- Me]} TiCl2 : 9 In a dry-box, a solution containing a sample of 0. 094 g (0. 284 mmol) of the product of Example 6 in 10 mL of methyl- ene chloride was added dropwise to a pre-cooled solution of TiCl4 (0. 0. 0519 g, 0. 2376 mmol) in 20 mL of pentane at-30°C.

The dark red reaction mixture was stirred overnight and fil- tered through a CeliteX plug on a frit, washed with methyl- ene chloride, and then the solvent was removed in vacuo. A dark red powder was obtained. H NMR (CD2C12) : 1. 71 (br, CH2- THF coordinated), 2. 63 (br, 3H, CH3), 3. 60 (br, CH2-THF coor- dinated), 7. 17 (d, 1H, Ar-H), 7. 26 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7. 38 (t, 1H, Ar-H), 7. 51 (d, 1H, Ar-H), 7. 60 (d, 1H, Ar-H), 7. 78 (t, 1H, Ar-H), 7. 85 (d, 1H, Ar-H), 9. 08 (d, 1H, Ar-H), 13. 45 (s, 1H, C-H). There was another minor isomer present (1/5).

EXAMPLES 16-21 In a drybox, 0. 02 mmol of the organometallic compound was placed in a Schlenk flask and 35 mL of toluene was added to dissolve or partially dissolve the compound. The flask was sealed, removed from the dry-box and attached to an eth- ylene line. After pumping off the air and nitrogen and purging with ethylene, 4. 649 mL (20 mmol) of PMAO was quickly added to the flask under about 35 kPa ethylene. Af- ter being stirred at RT overnight, the reaction mixture was quenched with 50 mL of a methanol solution of concentrated HC1 (10% volume). The polymer was collected on a frit, washed with methanol and acetone thoroughly, then dried in vacuo overnight. Results are given in Table 1., Table 1 Ex. Organometallic PE (g) Productivity (mol PE/Tm (°C), Compound mol [Metal Cmpd #H (J/g) 16 1 0. 7817 1060 134. 69, 174. 5 17 2 0. 2429 408 134. 46, 188. 9 18 3 0. 3150 372 133. 174. 174. 19 4 0. 0568 82 133. 147. 147.

EXAMPLES 22-35 In a dry-box, 0. 02-0. 01 mmol of the catalyst was placed in a glass vial and dissolved in 5 or 8. 8 mL of 1, 2, 4- trichlorobenzene. The vial was cooled to-30°C in a drybox freezer. PMAO (1. 2 mL) was added to the vial on top of the frozen solution and the vial was then capped and sealed.

Outside the drybox, the vials were placed into a shaker tube that was then shaken mechanically under certain pressure of ethylene for about 18 h. The reaction mixture was slowly poured into 100 mL of a methanol solution of concentrated HC1 (10% volume). The mixture was stirred overnight and filtered. The polymer was collected on a frit, washed with acetone and dried in vacuo. Results are given in Table 2.

Table 2 Ex. Organo-PE (g) Productivity (mol Tm (°C), Temp. (°C), metallic PE/mol Metal Cmpd AH (J/g) Pressure Compound (MPa) 22 1 18.1725 4.83 x 104 135.2, 150.8 25, 6.9 23 1 9. 212 1. 65 x 10 132. 6, 167. 0 80, 6. 9 24 1 0. 6595 3700 133. 27, 223. 1 80, 1. 9 25 2 10. 5223 3. 35x10 137. 71, 143. 3 25, 6. 9 25 2 7. 9166 2. 43 x 10 137. 09, 156. 3 80, 6. 9 26 2 2. 297 9745 131. 68, 206. 4 80, 1. 4 27 3 4. 7633 1. 45x10 134. 23, 132. 6 80, 6. 9 28 3 3. 6587 8845. 7 134. 81, 120. 0 25, 6. 9 29 4 0. 7999 2836 135. 62, 153. 4 25, 1. 4 30 5 0. 0515 142 131. 82, 22. 21 25, 3. 5 31 5 0. 0062 21 25, 1. 4 32 6 0. 1654 461 134. 81, 139. 0 25, 1. 4 33 7 0. 0101 27 25, 3. 5 34 8 0. 6168 1730 135. 97, 109. 0 25, 1. 4 35 9 1. 7619 6038 134. 68, 111. 0 25, 3. 5

EXAMPLES 36-41 In a dry-box, 0. 005 mmol of the catalyst was placed in a glass vial and dissolved in 3 mL of 1, 2, 4- trichlorobenzene. The vial was cooled to-30°C in a drybox freezer. PMAO (500 equiv.) and 1-hexene then were added to the vial on top of the frozen solution and the vial was then capped, sealed and placed into a shaker tube which was then shaken mechanically under 1. 4 MPa ethylene for about 18 h.

The reaction mixture was slowly poured into 100 mL of a methanol solution of concentrated HCl (10% volume). The mixture was stirred overnight and filtered. The polymer was collected on a frit, washed with acetone and dried in vacuo.

The molecular weight was unmeasurable because of poor solu- bility of the polymer in trichlorobenzene. Results are given in Table 3.

Table 3 Ex. Organo-Copolymer Productivity (kg Tm (°C), Me/1000 CH2 metallic (g) Polymer/molAH (J/g)'HNMR (d2- Compound Metal Cmpd) TCE) 36 1 2.698 492.4 129.45, 106.4 22.39 37 2 1. 5921 248. 6 127. 48, 109. 9 21. 0 38 3 1. 0719 122. 4 119. 21, 129. 32 51. 07 39 4 0. 1915 26. 12 130. 70, 108. 9 25. 47 40 8 0. 3938 42. 91 19. 13 4190. 214346. 9287. 28

EXAMPLES 42-43 In a dry-box, 0. 02 mmol of the catalyst and 7. 66 mL of toluene were placed in a 20 mL glass vial. Three mL of 1- hexene were added to the vial. Then, 2. 34 mL (10 mmol) of PMAO was quickly added to the vial. After being stirred at RT 48 h, the reaction mixture was taken from the drybox and slowly poured to a beaker containing 50 mL of a methanol so- lution of concentrated HCl (10% volume). The colorless waxy polymer was separated from the methanol solution, washed with methanol and acetone thoroughly and then dried in vacuo overnight. Results are given in Table 4.

Table 4 Ex. Organometallic Polymer (g) Productivity Mw (Mw/Mn) Compound 42 1 0. 2215 112 531 (4. 14) 43 2 0. 0186 9