Lanthanide complex catalyst and polymerization method employing same
A novel class of lanthanide metal salen complexes can be used as an ingredient of a catalyst system. The catalyst system can be used in polymerizations of ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers.
1. A catalyst composition comprising a catalyst activator and a lanthanide metal complex of the general formula
where
M represents a Nd or Gd atom;
L represents a neutral Lewis base;
z is an integer of from 0 to 2 inclusive, with the proviso that each L is the same when z is 2;
R 1 is a divalent atom or group that contains at least one C,O,S,N,P,Si,Se,Sn or B;
each R 2 independently is H, a halogen atom, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, the radical of a heterocyclic compound, or a heteroatom-containing group; and
R 3 is a halogen containing group, a group that contains an Al atom, or R 2 , with the proviso that (1) two R 2 groups together with the atoms to which each is bonded can form a ring structure, (2) one R 2 group and R 1 R 3 together with the atoms to which each is bonded can form a ring structure, and/or (3) R 1 and R 3 together with the atoms to which each is bonded can form a ring structure.
2. The catalyst composition of claim 1 wherein L is tetrahydrofuran.
3. The catalyst composition of claim 1 wherein R 3 is a halogen atom.
4. The lanthanide metal complex of claim 1 wherein z is 1.
5. The catalyst composition of claim 1 wherein said catalyst activator comprises an alkylating agent.
6. The catalyst composition of claim 1 wherein said catalyst activator comprises a non-coordinating anion.
7. The catalyst composition of claim 1 wherein said catalyst activator comprises a non-coordinating anion precursor.
8. The catalyst composition of claim 1 wherein
said catalyst activator comprises (1) an alkylating agent that is an organoaluminum compound or an organomagnesium compound and (2) a non-coordinating anion or a non-coordinating anion precursor,
L represents tertahydrofuran , and
R 3 represents a halogen atom.
9. A process for providing a polymer, said process comprising contacting one or more ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers with the catalyst composition of claim 1 , thereby providing said polymer.
10. The process of claim 9 wherein said one or more ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers comprises at least one type of polyene.
11. The process of claim 10 wherein said at least one type of polyene comprises one or more conjugated dienes.
12. The process of claim 10 wherein said one or more ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers further comprises at least one type of α-olefin.
13. The process of claim 12 wherein said at least one type of α-olefin comprises ethylene.
14. The process of claim 13 wherein said contacting occurs in a solvent system that comprises a C 5 -C 12 aliphatic alkane.
15. The process of claim 14 wherein said solvent system comprises hexane.
16. The process of claim 15 wherein said polymer comprises about 3 mole percent ethylene.
17. The process of claim 15 wherein said polymer comprises less than 1 mole percent of conjugated diene mer in a vinyl configuration.
18. The process of claim 9 further comprising reacting said polymer with a functionalizing agent so as to provide terminal functionality to said polymer.