Eastman Chemical Company

E.i. Dupont De Nemours and Company

James Allen Ponasik, Jr

Peter Borden Mackenzie

Christopher Moore Killian

Leslie Shane Moody

Gino Georges Lavoie

Jason Clay Pearson

Jason Patrick McDevitt

Thomas William Smith

Anthony Gerard Martin Barrett

Geoffrey William Coates

Robert Thomas Hembre

Sam Richard Turner

Allan S Jones

David John Cole-Hamilton

Jan Hendrik Blank

Amy Kathryn Farthing

This invention relates to a process for making methanol and ethanol from carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The process includes contacting a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrogen with a catalyst system containing a ruthenium compound&#x2014;and optionally, a chloride or bromide-containing compound&#x2014;dispersed in a low-melting tetraorganophosphonium chloride or bromide salt under conditions effective to produce methanol and ethanol. The invention also relates to a process for making methanol and ethanol from carbon monoxide and water using the same catalyst system.

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Catalyst compositions useful for the polymerization or oligomerization of olefins are disclosed. Certain of the catalyst compositions comprise N-pyrrolyl substituted nitrogen donors. Also disclosed are processes for the polymerization or oligomerization of olefins using the catalyst compositions.

Catalysts containing N-pyrrolyl substituted nitrogen donors

Improved Group 3&#x2013;11 transition metal based catalysts and processes for the polymerization of olefins are described. Some of the ligands are characterized by a preferred substitution pattern which allows for higher productivities of highly branched olefins; substitution patterns which boost productivity or alter the polymer microstructure are also described.

Productivity catalysts and microstructure control

Catalyst compositions useful for the polymerization of olefins are disclosed. These compositions comprise a Group 8-10 metal complex comprising a bidentate or variable denticity ligand comprising one or two nitrogen donor atom or atoms independently substituted by an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring(s), wherein the ortho positions of said ring(s) are substituted by aryl or heteroaryl groups. Also disclosed are processes for the polymerization of olefins using the catalyst compositions.

Catalysts containing per-ortho aryl substituted aryl or heteroaryl substituted nitrogen donors

The present invention includes novel ligands which may be utilized as part of a catalyst system. A catalyst system of the present invention is a transition metal-ligand complex. In particular, the catalyst system includes a transition metal component and a ligand component comprising a Nitrogen atom and/or functional groups comprising a Nitrogen atom, generally in the form of an imine functional group. In certain embodiments, the ligand component may further comprise a phosphorous atom. Preferred ligand components are bidentate (bind to the transition metal at two or more sites) and include a nitrogen-transition metal bond. The transition metal-ligand complex is generally cationic and associated with a weakly coordinating anion. A catalyst system of the present invention may further comprise a Lewis or Bronsted acid. The Lewis or Bronsted acid may be complexed with the ligand component of the transition metal-ligand complex.,

Catalyst compositions for the polymerization of olefins

Processes for the preparation of 4,5-bisimino-&lsqb;1,3&rsqb;dithiolanes and 2,3-bisimino-&lsqb;1,4&rsqb;dithianes are described. The processes involve conversion of an oxalamide to a dithiooxalamide, followed by conversion of the dithiooxalamide to either a 4,5-bisimino-&lsqb;1,3&rsqb;dithiolane or a 2,3-bisimino-&lsqb;1,4&rsqb;dithiane.

Process for the preparation of ligands for olefin polymerization catalysts

Mixed olefin polymerization catalysts, methods for preparing olefin polymers using the catalysts, and polymers obtained therefrom are disclosed. The mixed catalyst system comprises the combination of (a) a Group 8-10 transition metal complex of a bidentate or tridentate ligand comprising at least one nitrogen donor selected from Set 1, (b) either a Group 8-10 transition metal complex of a bidentate or tridentate ligand comprising at least one nitrogen donor selected from Set 1 or a bidentate ligand comprising a nitrogen-nitrogen donor selected from Set 2, or a Group 4 transition metal complex of a multidnentate ligand comprising at least 1 cyclopentadienyl or indenyl ring selected from Set 3 or a titanium or chromium Ziegler-Natta catalyst selected from Set 4, and optionally (c) a compound Y.

Mixed olefin polymerization catalysts, processes employing such catalysts, and polymers obtained therefrom

Catalyst compositions useful for the polymerization or oligomerization of olefins are disclosed. Certain of the catalyst compositions comprise metal complexes of mono through tetradentate ligands comprising N-pyrrolyl substituted nitrogen donors bonded to the metal. Also disclosed are processes for the polymerization or oligomerization of olefins using the catalyst compositions.

The present invention provides catalyst systems useful in the polymerization of olefins comprising a transition metal component and a ligand component comprising a Nitrogen atom and/or functional groups comprising a Nitrogen atom, generally in the form of an imine functional group. In certain embodiments, the ligand component may further comprise a phosphorous atom. Preferred ligand components are bidentate (bind to the transition metal at two or more sites) and include a nitrogen-transition metal bond from two imine groups. The transition metal-ligand complex is generally cationic and associated with a weakly coordinating anion. In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst system of the present invention further comprises a Lewis or Bronsted acid complexed with the ligand component of the transition metal-ligand complex.

This invention is directed to novel Group 8-10 transition metal catalysts and to batch or continuous polymerizations using these catalysts. The catalysts of the present invention readily convert ethylene and &agr;-olefins to high molecular weight polymers, and allow for olefin polymerizations under various conditions, including ambient temperature and pressure, and in solution. Preferred catalysts are group 8-10 transition metals having certain dipyridyl ligands bonded thereto.

Polyolefin catalysts

Methods for preparing olefin polymers, and catalysts for preparing olefin polymers are disclosed. The polymers can be prepared by contacting the corresponding monomers with a Group 8-10 transition metal catalyst. The polymers are suitable for processing in conventional extrusion processes, and can be formed into high barrier sheets or films, or low molecular weight resins for use in synthetic waxes in wax coatings or as emulsions.

Growing community of inventors

Blountville, TN, United States of America

James Allen Ponasik, Jr