Multi-catalyst system for olefin polymerization

Claim 2

A multi-catalyst system that comprises (a) catalyst A, a supported bridged indenoindolyl transition metal complex; and (b) catalyst B, a supported non-bridged indenoindolyl transition metal complex; wherein A and B are separately supported.

Claim 3

The catalyst system of claim 1 wherein the complex of catalyst A has the general structure of I, II, III or IV: in which M is a transition metal; G is a bridge group; L is a ligand that is covalently bonded to G and M; R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, boryl and silyl groups; X is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, halide, dialkylamino, and siloxy groups; n satisfies the valence of M; and one or more of the remaining ring atoms are optionally independently substituted by alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkylaryl, silyl, halogen, alkoxy, aryloxy, siloxy, nitro, dialkyl amino, or diaryl amino groups.

Claim 4

The catalyst system of claim 2 wherein L is selected from the group consisting of cyclopentadienyls, indenyls, fluorenyls, boraarys, pyrrolyls, azaborolinyls, quinolinyls, indenoindolyls, phosphinimines, and alkylaminos.

Claim 5

The catalyst system of claim 2 wherein G is selected from the group consisting of dialkylsilyl, diarylsilyl, methylene, ethylene, isopropylidene, and diphenylmethylene.

Claim 6

The catalyst system of claim 2 wherein the bridged complex has the general structure of I or II and wherein M is a Group 4 transition metal, L is alkylamido, and G is dialkylsilyl.

Claim 7

The catalyst system of claim 5 wherein M is Ti or Zr, L is t-butylamino, G is dimethylsilyl, and X is halide or alkyl.

Claim 8

The catalyst system of claim 2 wherein the bridged complex has the general structure of III or IV and wherein M is a Group 4 transition metal, L is alkylamido, and G is dialkylsilyl.

Claim 9

The catalyst system of claim 7 wherein M is Ti or Zr, L is t-butylamino, G is dimethylsilyl, and X is halide or alkyl.

Claim 10

The catalyst system of claim 1 wherein the non-bridged complex of catalyst B has the general structure of in which R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, boryl and silyl groups; M is a Group 4-6 transition metal; L is selected from the group consisting of substituted or non-substituted cyclopentadienyls, indenyls, fluorenyls, boraarys, pyrrolyls, azaborolinyls, quinolinyls, indenoindolyls, and phosphinimines; X is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, halide, dialkylamino, and siloxy groups, and n satisfies the valence of M; and one or more of the remaining ring atoms are optionally substituted by alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkylaryl, silyl, halogen, alkoxy, aryloxy, siloxy, nitro, dialkyl amino, or diaryl amino groups.

Claim 11

The catalyst system of claim 9 wherein R is methyl, L is cyclopentadienyl; M is Zr; X is chloride, and n is 2.

Claim 12

The catalyst system of claim 1 wherein catalyst A further comprises an activator selected from the group consisting of alumoxanes, alkyl aluminums, alkyl aluminum halides, anionic compounds of boron or aluminum, trialkylboron and triarylboron compounds, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 13

The catalyst system of claim 11 wherein the activator is an alumoxane.

Claim 14

The catalyst system of claim 1 wherein catalyst B further comprises an activator selected from the group consisting of alumoxanes, alkyl aluminums, alkyl aluminum halides, anionic compounds of boron or aluminum, trialkylboron and triarylboron compounds, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 15

The catalyst system of claim 13 wherein the activator is an alumoxane.

Claim 16

The catalyst system of claim 1 wherein the support in catalyst A and catalyst B is silica.

Claim 17

A process comprising polymerizing an α-olefin in the presence of the catalyst system of claim 1 .

Claim 18

The process of claim 16 which produces a polyolefin having bi- or multi-modal molecular weight distribution.

Claim 19

The process of claim 16 wherein the α-olefin is selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 20

A process comprising polymerizing an α-olefin in the presence of a multi-catalyst system that comprises (a) catalyst A, a supported bridged indenoindolyl transition metal complex; and (b) catalyst B, a supported non-bridged indenoindolyl transition metal complex; wherein A and B are separately supported, said process produces an polyolefin having bi- or multi-modal molecular weight distribution.

Claim 21

A process comprising polymerizing an α-olefin in the presence of a multi-catalyst system that comprises (a) catalyst A, a supported bridged indenoindolyl transition metal complex; and (b) catalyst B, a supported non-bridged indenoindolyl transition metal complex; wherein A and B are separately supported, said process produces an polyolefin having bi- or multi-modal molecular weight distribution.