| abstract |
In the present invention, processes for polymerizing ethylene, acrylic olefins and / or selected cyclic olefins, and optionally selected olefinic esters or carboxylic acids, and other monomers are described. Polymerizations are catalyzed with selected transition metal compounds and sometimes other cocatalysts. Since some of the polymerizations exhibit some leaving group polymerization characteristics, block copolymers can easily be prepared. Many of the polymers produced are often novel, particularly with regard to their microstructure, which gives some of them unusual properties. Numerous new catalysts are described, as well as some novel processes to prepare them. The prepared polymers are useful as elastomers, resins for molding, in adhesives, etc. Also described herein is the synthesis of linear alpha-olefins by oligomerization of ethylene using as a catalyst system a combination of a nickel compound having a selected alpha-diimine ligand and a Lewis or Bronsted acid, or by contacting complexes of (a) -diimine-nickel selected with ethylene. |