Equistar Chemicals, LP

Shaotian Wang

Mark P Mack

Gregory G Hlatky

Shao-Hua Guo

Jean A Merrick-Mack

Clifford C Lee

Barbara M Tsuie

Sandor M Nagy

Michael W Lynch

Kenneth J Klug

Craig C Meverden

Jia-Chu X Liu

William J Sartain

Debra L Beran

Joel A Mutchler

Bradley P Etherton

Mark K Reinking

Leonard V Cribbs

Wallace W Yau

Douglas D Klendworth

Linda N Winslow

Sebastian Joseph

Kenneth W Johnson

Karen E Meyer

Edward S Vargas

Karen L Neal-Hawkins

Norma J Maraschin

Resin blends useful for pipe and blow-molded articles are disclosed. The blends comprise a low-molecular-weight, high-density polyethylene and a high-molecular-weight, low-density ethylene copolymer. The high-molecular-weight component is made with a bridged indenoindolyl Group 4 metal complex having open architecture. Blends of the invention uniquely have high molecular weight (M&#x3e;200,000) and low levels of long-chain branching. A quick, convenient approach for estimating levels of long-chain branching in polyethylenes from gel permeation chromatography and dynamic oscillatory rheometry ('viscosity enhancement factor') is disclosed.

Polyolefin resin blends for crack-resistant pipe

Disclosed is a method of preparing an ultra-high molecular weight, linear low density polyethylene with a catalyst system that comprises a bridged indenoindolyl transition metal complex, a non-bridged indenoindolyl transition metal complex, an alumoxane activator and a boron-containing activator. The ultra-high molecular weight, linear low density polyethylene has a weight average molecular weight greater than 1,000,000 and a density less than 0.940 g/cm.

Preparation of ultra high molecular weight linear low density polyethylene

A process for polymerizing ethylene is disclosed. The process comprises polymerizing ethylene in a slurry reaction in the presence of a catalyst system which comprises an activator and an indenoindolyl transition metal complex on a support material. The catalyst system is slurried with an inert solvent prior to addition to the reactor. The process provides polyethylene with good bulk density.

Olefin polymerization process

Methods for making polyolefins are disclosed. One method comprises polymerizing an olefin in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a single-site complex, an agglomerated metal oxide/clay support-activator, and an ionic borate. Including an ionic borate with the support-activator provides an unexpected boost in catalyst activity and gives polyolefins with high molecular weight and improved comonomer incorporation. In another method of the invention, an olefin is polymerized in the presence of an indenoindolyl metal alkylated complex and an agglomerated metal oxide/clay support-activator. Use of alkylated indenoindolyl complexes with the support-activators provides improved activity compared with metal halides.

Olefin polymerization methods

A two-step catalyst preparation method is disclosed. First, a support is combined with an indenoindolyl Group 3-10 metal complex and a first activator comprising an alkyl alumoxane to give a supported complex. The supported complex is subsequently combined with a second activator comprising an ionic borate to produce a borate-treated supported complex. Activating indenoindolyl metal complexes in this sequence surprisingly provides an exceptional activity boost compared with other ways of activating them with either or both types of activators.

Catalyst preparation method

Ethylene and optional comonomers are polymerized in the presence of an organozinc compound and a catalyst system to produce an ethylene polymer. The catalyst system comprises a bridged indenoindolyl Group 3-10 transition metal complex and an activator. The organozinc compound is used in an amount effective to increase the polymer bulk density compared with that observed in the absence of the organozinc compound. The organozinc compound can also narrow the particle size distribution of the polymer and the wt. % of polyolefin chunks produced. The operability of processes utilizing bridged indenoindolyl metal complexes is enhanced while maintaining desirably high polyolefin molecular weights.

Olefin polymerization process with improved operability and polymer properties

Disclosed is a process for polymerizing olefins. The process comprises polymerizing one or more olefins with a single-site catalyst in two or more polymerization stages. The catalyst comprises a transition metal complex, an activator, and a hydroxyl functional polymer. The complex, the activator, or both are chemically bound to the hydroxyl functional polymer.

Olefin polymerization with polymer bound single-site catalysts

The present invention provides a non-metallocene catalyst comprising a complex having one or more ligands coordinated a transition metal. The catalyst contains substituents bonded to the transition metal through a heteroatom such as oxygen or sulfur. Furthermore, the complex includes a Group 3 to 10 transition or lanthanide metal and one or more anionic or neutral ligands in an amount that satisfies the valency of the metal such that the complex has a net zero charge. The present invention also discloses a method for preparing the catalyst and polymerizing olefins utilizing the catalyst of the present invention.

Catalysts containing at least one heterocyclic ligand for improving the catalysts' performance of olefin polymerization

A modified aluminoxane is disclosed. Aluminoxane compounds are modified with glycol ethers or polyethers. The modified aluminoxanes are effective activators for single-site catalysts. Catalyst activated with the modified aluminoxane produces polyolefin with increased melt flow index, broadened molecular weight distribution, and improved thermal processability.

Polymerization catalyst system containing polyether-modified aluminoxane

A process for polymerizing ethylene is disclosed. The ethylene is polymerized with a catalyst system which comprises an activator and an indeno[2,1-b]indolyl Group 4-6 transition metal complex having open architecture. The process gives polyethylene having a broad molecular weight distribution for improved processability.

Ethylene polymerization process

A process for polymerizing ethylene is disclosed. A magnesium chloride-alcohol is used to support an organometallic complex comprising a Group 3 to 10 transition metal and an indenoindolyl ligand. The supported organometallic complex is mixed with an activator and ethylene and the ethylene is polymerized. Use of magnesium chloride containing an alcohol as the support provides an unexpected boost in catalyst activity and improves polymer rheological properties.

A method for preparing a supported organometallic complex is disclosed. An organometallic complex is combined with a support material that has been treated with an organozinc compound. The organometallic complex comprises a Group 3 to 10 transition metal and an indenoindolyl ligand that is bonded to the transition metal. Also disclosed is a process for polymerizing an olefin using the supported complex. Organozinc treatment of the support unexpectedly boosts catalyst activity and polyolefin molecular weight.

A single-site catalyst is disclosed. The catalyst comprises a transition metal complex, an activator, and an allylic alcohol-containing polymer. The catalyst has high activity and great capability to incorporate higher &#x3b1;-olefins into polyethylene. The polyethylene produced has high molecular weight and low density.

Polymer bound single-site catalysts

A method for making ethylene polymers and copolymers is disclosed. The method uses a catalyst system comprising a low level of an aluminum-containing activator, a bridged indenoindolyl transition metal complex, and a treated silica support. The method enables economical preparation of ethylene copolymers having very low density. The silica-supported, bridged complexes incorporate comonomers efficiently and are valuable for a commercial slurry loop process. Use of a bridged indeno[2,1-b]indolyl complex provides exceptionally efficient comonomer incorporation, and gives polymers with a substantial and controlled level of long-chain branching. The method facilitates the production of a wide variety of polyolefins, from HDPE to plastomers.

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Mason, OH, United States of America

Shaotian Wang