| abstract |
An ultra-high activity non-metallocene pre-catalyst featuring an amine bis(phenolate) ligand-metal chelate and a corresponding method for catalytic polymerization of alpha-olefin monomers using this pre-catalyst. General formulas of the amine bis(phenolate) ligand-metal chelate precatalyst are: [{(O)?1R1R2R3R4(C¿6)1(CH2)1(RnY-T)N(CH2)2(C6)?2R5R6R7R8(O)2}MX1X2¿]; and [{(O)?1R1R2R3R4(C¿6)1(CH2)1(RnY-T)N(CH2)2(C6)?2R5R6R7R8(O)2}MX3¿], where, M is a metal atom covalently bonded to each O atom, and bonded to the N atom with varying degrees of covalency and coordination; X?1 and X2¿ are each a univalent anionic ligand bonded to the metal atom; X3 is a single divalent anionic ligand bonded to the metal atom; R1 through R8 are each a univalent radical covalently bonded to the (C¿6?) aromatic groups; (RnY-T) is an optional group in each general formula, and is either: (a) a non-donor group covalently bonded to the N atom, where, T is a covalent bridging group between the N atom and Y, Y is a group covalently bonded to T, and each of at least one Rn is either: (i) a saturated substituent covalently bonded to Y; (ii) an unsaturated substituent covalently bonded to Y; or (iii) a univalent radical covalently bonded to Y; or (b) a donor group covalently bonded to the N atom, where, T is a covalent bridging group between the N atom and Y, Y is a heteroatom covalently bonded to T and bonded with varying degrees of covalency and coordination to the metal atom, and, optional Rn substituents are either saturated or unsaturated substituents covalently bonded to Y. In the case that the group (RnY-T) is not present in either general formula of the pre-catalyst, the metal atom is capable of forming a pure covalent bond to the N atom. |