| abstract |
This invention relates to a homogeneous process to produce propylene polymers using transition metal complexes of a dianionic, tridentate ligand that features a central neutral heterocyclic Lewis base and two phenolate donors, where the tridentate ligand coordinates to the metal center to form two eight-membered rings. Preferably the bis(phenolate) complexes are represented by Formula (I) where M, L, X, m, n, E, E',Q, R1, R2, R3, R4, R1', R2', R3', R4', A1, A1', Group (i), and Group (ii) are as defined herein, where A1QA1' are part of a heterocyclic Lewis base containing 4 to 40 non-hydrogen atoms that links A2 to A2' via a 3-atom bridge with Q being the central atom of the 3-atom bridge. |