US6756455B2
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High-temperature solution process for polyolefin manufacture
Assignee: Equistar Chemicals LP
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Filing: 2002-05-31
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Granted: 2004-06-29
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Expires: 2022-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A high-temperature solution process for making polyolefins is disclosed. Olefins polymerize at greater than about 130° C. in the presence of an activator and an organometallic complex. The complex includes a bridged indenoindolyl ligand. One part of the ligand is a second indenoindolyl group or a polymerization-stable, cyclopentadienyl-like group having an extended pi-electron system. Because the catalysts activate quickly and thoroughly, even with low levels of an alumoxane, the invention provides an efficient way to make high-molecular-weight (Mw>100K) polyolefins.
Inventors
- 👤 Sandor Nagy
- 👤 Barbara M. Tsuie
- 👤 William G. Todd
- 👤 Charles S. Holland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 05:31
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08F; C08F10/00; C08F10/02; C08F210/00; C08F210/02; C08F110/00; C08F110/02; C08F210/16; C08F4/00; C08F4/42; C08F4/44; C08F4/60; C08F4/62; C08F4/64; C08F4/659; C08F4/65912; C08F4/65916
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A process which comprises polymerizing one or more olefins in solution in a reaction zone in a multi-stage reactor under adiabatic conditions at a temperature greater than 130° C. and a pressure greater than 200 psig in the presence of a catalyst system comprising: (a) an activator; and (b) an organometallic complex which comprises a Group 3-10 transition metal and a bridged indenoindolyl ligand of the general structure: A-G-L in which A is an indenoindolyl group, G is a bridging group, and L is another indenoindolyl group or a polymerization-stable, cyclopentadienyl-like group having an extended pi-electron system, wherein both A and L are pi-bonded to the metal; and wherein the average residence time of the olefin in the reaction zone is less than 10 minutes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A process which comprises polymerizing one or more olefins in solution in a reaction zone in a multi-stage reactor under adiabatic conditions at a temperature greater than 130° C. and a pressure greater than 200 psig in the presence of a catalyst system comprising: (a) an activator; and (b) an organometallic complex which comprises a Group 3-10 transition metal and a bridged indenoindolyl ligand of the general structure: A-G-L in which A is an indenoindolyl group, G is a bridging group, and L is another indenoindolyl group or a polymerization-stable, cyclopentadienyl-like group having an extended pi-electron system, wherein both A and L are pi-bonded to the metal; and wherein the average residence time of the olefin in the reaction zone is less than 10 minutes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the temperature is greater than 160° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the pressure is greater than 500 psig.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the activator is selected from the group consisting of alumoxanes, ionic borates, ionic aluminates, alkylaluminum compounds, organoboranes, and aluminoboronates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the activator is methylalumoxane, and the catalyst system has an aluminum:transition metal [Al:M] mole ratio less than 200.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein L is selected from the group consisting of boranaphthalenyl, boraanthracenyl, fluorenyl, indenyl, indolyl, and indenoindolyl.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1 wherein G is selected from the group consisting of methylerie, dimethylene, dimethylsilyl, diphenylmethyl, alkylboranyl, arylboranyl, and isopropylidene.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the organometallic complex has the general structure: wherein M is the Group 3-10 transition metal; each X is independently selected from the group consisting of halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, and siloxy; and n is an integer that satisfies the valence of M.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the complex incorporates a Group 4 transition metal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the average residence time is less than 5 minutes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 in which a Ziegler-Natta catalyst is also used.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
129 words
A process which comprises polymerizing ethylene, and optionally one or more 1-olefins, in solution in a reaction zone in a multi-stage reactor under adiabatic conditions at a temperature greater than 160° C. and a pressure greater than 500 psig in the presence of a catalyst system comprising: (a) an alumoxane activator; and (b) an organometallic complex which comprises a Group 4 transition metal and a bridged indenoindolyl ligand of the general structure: A-G-L in which A is an indenoindolyl group, G is a bridging group, and L is another indenoindolyl group or a polymerization-stable, cyclopentadienyl-like group having an extended pi-electron system, wherein both A and L are pi-bonded to the metal; and wherein the average residence time of the olefin in the reaction zone is less than 10 minutes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
129 words
A process which comprises polymerizing ethylene, and optionally one or more 1-olefins, in solution in a reaction zone in a multi-stage reactor under adiabatic conditions at a temperature greater than 160° C. and a pressure greater than 500 psig in the presence of a catalyst system comprising: (a) an alumoxane activator; and (b) an organometallic complex which comprises a Group 4 transition metal and a bridged indenoindolyl ligand of the general structure: A-G-L in which A is an indenoindolyl group, G is a bridging group, and L is another indenoindolyl group or a polymerization-stable, cyclopentadienyl-like group having an extended pi-electron system, wherein both A and L are pi-bonded to the metal; and wherein the average residence time of the olefin in the reaction zone is less than 10 minutes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 12 wherein the activator is methyl-alumoxane, and the catalyst system has an aluminum:transition metal [Al:M] mole ratio less than 200.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
9 words
The process of claim 12 wherein L is fluorenyl.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
9 words
The process of claim 12 wherein G is dimethylsilyl.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
The process of claim 12 wherein the organometallic complex has the general structure: wherein M is the Group 4 transition metal; each X is independently selected from the group consisting of halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylamido. and siloxy; and n is an integer that satisfies the valence of M.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 16 wherein the complex has the structure: and wherein the activator is methylalumoxane, and the catalyst system has an aluminum:zirconium mole ratio less than 200.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 12 wherein the average residence time is less than 5 minutes.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-06-29 | 2007-12-29 | 2008-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-06-29 | 2011-12-29 | 2012-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-06-29 | 2015-12-29 | 2016-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |