| abstract |
An active non-metallocene pre-catalyst featuring a diamine diphenolate complex and method for catalytic, and, tactic catalytic polymerization, of alpha-olefin monomers. General formulas are: [{OR?5R6R7R8(C¿6)?1(CHR3)NR1YNR2(CHR4)(C¿6)?2R9R10R11R12O}MX1X2¿] and [{OR?5R6R7R8(C¿6)?1(CHR3)NR1YNR2(CHR4)(C¿6)?2R9R10R11R12O}MX3¿], where M is a metal atom bonded to each O atom, and, to each N atom; X?1 and X2¿ univalent anionic ligands bonded to M; X3 a single univalent or divalent anionic ligand bonded to M; R?1 and R2¿ univalent radicals bonded to a different N; R3 a univalent radical bonded to C atom of -CHR3- of (C¿6?)?1-CHR3¿-N-bridging unit; R4 a univalent radical bonded to C atom of -CHR4- of -N-CHR4-(C6)2 bridging unit; R5 through R8 univalent radicals bonded to a different C atom in first aromatic group, (C¿6)?1; R9 through R12 univalent radicals bonded to a different C atom in second aromatic group, (C¿6)?2; and, Y a divalent radical bonded to and bridging between the two N atoms. The pre-catalyst activated by a co-catalyst under mild conditions is active for isotactic (isospecific) and living polymerization of alpha-olefin monomers, forming poly(alpha-olefin) products having tacticity, high molecular weight, and low molecular weight distribution. |