Polypropylene preparation

Claim 2

A process that comprises polymerizing propylene in the presence of an activator and a Group 3-5 transition metal catalyst that has two non-bridged indenoindolyl ligands; wherein the resulting polypropylene has isotactic and atactic stereoblock sequences and an isotactic pentad (mmmm) content within the range of about 10 mole % to about 70 mole %.

Claim 3

The process of claim 1 wherein the catalyst has the general structure wherein M is a Group 3-5 transition metal; X 1 and X 2 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of halogen, alkoxy, aryloxy, siloxy, dialkylamino and hydrocarbyl ligands; L 1 and L 2 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of wherein R 1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, and silyl groups; R 2 through R 10 are the same or different and selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, silyl, halogen, alkoxy, aryloxy, siloxy, thioether, nitro, dialkyl amino, and diaryl amino groups.

Claim 4

The process of claim 1 wherein the activator is selected from the group consisting of alumoxanes, alkyl aluminums, alkyl aluminum halides, anionic compounds of boron or aluminum, trialkylboron, triarylboron compounds, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 5

The process of claim 2 wherein X 1 and X 2 are chlorine.

Claim 6

The process of claim 2 wherein R 1 is phenyl.

Claim 7

The process of claim 2 wherein M is zirconium.

Claim 8

The process of claim 3 wherein the activator is an alumoxane.

Claim 9

The process of claim 3 wherein the activator is a mixture of a trialkylaluminum and trityltetrakispentafluorophenylborate.

Claim 10

A process, comprising polymerizing propylene in the presence of: (a) a non-bridged catalyst that has the general structure of wherein M is a Group 3-5 transition metal; L 1 and L 2 are the same or different and selected from the group consisting of: wherein R 1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, and silyl groups; R 2 through R 10 are the same or different and selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, silyl, halogen, alkoxy, aryloxy, siloxy, thioether, nitro, dialkyl amino and diaryl amino groups; and (b) an alumoxane activator; wherein the resulting polypropylene has isotactic and atactic stereoblock sequences and an isotactic pentad (mmmm) content within the range of about 10 mole % to about 70 mole %.

Claim 11

A process, comprising polymerizing propylene in the presence of: (a) a non-bridged catalyst that has the general structure of wherein M is a Group 3-5 transition metal; L 1 and L 2 are the same or different and selected from the group consisting of: wherein R 1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, and silyl groups; R 2 through R 10 are the same or different and selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, silyl, halogen, alkoxy, aryloxy, siloxy, thioether, nitro, dialkyl amino and diaryl amino groups; and (b) an alumoxane activator; wherein the resulting polypropylene has isotactic and atactic stereoblock sequences and an isotactic pentad (mmmm) content within the range of about 10 mole % to about 70 mole %.

Claim 12

The process of claim 9 wherein R 1 is phenyl.

Claim 13

The process of claim 9 wherein M is zirconium.

Claim 14

The process of claim 9 wherein the polymerization is carried out at a temperature within the range of about 0° C. to 150° C.

Claim 15

The process of claim 9 wherein the polymerization is carried out at a temperature within the range of about 25° C. to about 100° C.

Claim 16

A process, comprising polymerizing propylene in the presence of a catalyst that has the general structure and an alumoxane activator; wherein the resulting polypropylene has isotactic and atactic stereoblock sequences and an isotactic pentad (mmmm) content within the range of about 40 mole % to about 60 mole %.

Claim 17

A process, comprising polymerizing propylene in the presence of a catalyst that has the general structure and an alumoxane activator; wherein the resulting polypropylene has isotactic and atactic stereoblock sequences and an isotactic pentad (mmmm) content within the range of about 40 mole % to about 60 mole %.