Neutral bimetallic transition metal phenoxyiminato catalysts and related polymerization methods
A catalyst composition comprising a neutral bimetallic diphenoxydiiminate complex of group 10 metals or Ni, Pd or Pt is disclosed. The compositions can be used for the preparation of homo- and co-polymers of olefinic monomer compounds.
1. A catalyst composition comprising a neutral bimetallic diphenoxydiiminate complex of a formula
wherein
M and M′ are independently selected from Ni, Pd or Pt;
each R is independently selected from alkyl or aryl;
each R′ is independently selected from alkyl or aryl; and
each R″ is independently selected from alkyl or aryl.
2. The catalyst composition of claim 1 wherein each R″ is i-propyl.
3. The catalyst composition of claim 2 wherein M and M′ are Ni.
4. The catalyst composition of claim 3 wherein each R′ is independently selected from methyl or naphthyl.
5. The catalyst composition of claim 1 wherein the neutral bimetallic diphenoxydiiminate complex is selected from
a) {2,7-di-[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]-1,8-naphthalenediolato}bis[(methyl)-(trimethylphosphine)Ni(II)]; or
b) {2,7-di-[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]-1,8-naphthalenediolato}bis[(1-naphthyl)-(triphenylphosphine)Ni(II)].
6. A method of preparing an addition polymer comprising
a) combining a catalyst composition comprising a neutral bimetallic diphenoxydiiminate complex of a formula
wherein
M and M′ are independently selected from Ni, Pd or Pt;
each R is independently selected from alkyl or aryl;
each R′ is independently selected from alkyl or aryl; and
each R″ is independently selected from alkyl or aryl,
with one or more olefinic monomeric compounds; and
b) polymerizing said one or more olefinic monomeric compounds in the presence of said catalyst composition to form said addition polymer.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein each R″ is i-propyl.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein M and M′ are Ni.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein each R′ is independently selected from methyl or naphthyl.
10. The method of claim 6 wherein the olefinic monomeric compounds are selected from polar olefinic compounds, non-polar olefinic compounds, or combinations of polar and non-polar olefinic compounds.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the polymerization is selected from homo-polymerization of ethylene or co-polymerization of ethylene with a polar olefinic compound selected from a polar-functionalized norbornene, methyl acrylate or methyl methacrylate.
12. The method of claim 6 wherein the neutral bimetallic diphenoxydiiminate complex is selected from
a) {2,7-di-[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]-1,8-naphthalenediolato}bis[(methyl)-(trimethylphosphine)Ni(II)]; or
b) {2,7-di-[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]-1,8-naphthalenediolato}bis[(1-naphthyl)-(triphenylphosphine)Ni(II)].
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the catalyst composition further comprises a cocatalyst.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the cocatalyst is Ni(cod) 2 .