Theoretical studies of aluminoxane chains, rings, cages, and nanostructures

Alumina nanostructures and three families of aluminoxanes, linear, cyclic, and cagelike structures, have structures that resemble their isovalent electronic hydrocarbon analogues. Specific examples of each family are the counterparts of fullerene, allene, benzene, and cubane, respectively. The aluminoxanes and alumina nanostructures are related to each other; the latter can be regarded as a hydrogen- or alkyl-free form of aluminoxane. By exploiting this relationship, the relative stabilities of the three families of aluminoxanes, alumina nanostructures, and alumina crystal lattices have been estimated. According to ab initio calculations, aluminoxane cages, which take the form of a truncated octahedron and related polyhedra, are favored. The stability of the preferred cage, T-symmetric Al28O28H28, is practically equal to that of the alpha-alumina crystal lattice.     

New Kinetic Model of Ethene Polymerization with Cp2ZrCl2 /MAO Catalyst

The kinetics of ethene polymerization catalyzed by Cp₂ZrCl₂ /MAO is studied. A detailed look is taken at the different kinetic models used to describe the polymerization process. Also, a new model was developed on the basis of previous work. The new model takes both the active‐sites mechanism and the reactivation effect of MAO into account. Better agreement between the experimental data and the fitting profile was achieved by applying the new model, when compared with the results from older models. A plausible mechanism of polymerization is outlined.     

Experimental and theoretical investigations of the structure of methylaluminoxane (MAO) cocatalysts for olefin polymerization

The structure of methylaluminoxane (MAO), used as a cocatalyst for olefin polymerization, has been investigated by Raman and in situ IR spectroscopy, polymerization experiments, and density functional calculations. From experimental results, a number of quantum chemical calculations, and bonding properties of related compounds, we have suggested a few Me₁₈Al₁₂O₉ cage structures, including a highly regular one with C_3h symmetry, which may serve as models for methylaluminoxane solutions. The cages themselves are rigid but may contain up to three bridging methyl groups on the cage surfaces that are labile and reactive. Bridging methyls were substituted with Cl atoms to form a compound otherwise similar to MAO. Chlorinated MAO is unable to activate a metallocene catalyst, even in the presence of trimethylaluminum (TMA), but allows subsequent activation by regular MAO. With bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride, MAO and TMA seem to influence chain termination independently. Several findings previously poorly explained are rationalized with the new model, including the observed lack of reaction products with excess TMA. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 3106–3127, 2000     

Polymeric aluminoxanes: A possible cocatalytic support material for Ziegler–Natta-type metallocene catalysts

The reaction of methylaluminoxane (MAO) with 1,6-hexanediol or 1,10-decanediol leads to white powdery materials which were studied by ¹³C and ²⁷Al MAS NMR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and whose surface area and porosity was determined according to the BET method. The hydrolysis of trimethylaluminum with hydrogel was carried out and the product was investigated by SEM. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A kinetic study of metallocene‐catalyzed ethylene polymerization using different aluminoxane cocatalysts

The kinetics of ethylene polymerization using homogeneous Cp₂ZrCl₂/aluminoxane catalysts in toluene has been investigated at 70 °C with an ethylene pressure of 30 psi. Four aluminoxanes were used: methylaluminoxane, modified methylaluminoxanes with a fraction of methyl groups substituted with isobutyl (MMAO‐4) or octyl (MMAO‐12) groups, and polymethylaluminoxane (PMAO‐IP). The cocatalyst‐to‐catalyst ratio, [Al]/[Zr], varied from 1000 to 10,000. The experimental results obtained using the four cocatalysts were compared and a model was proposed to fit the rate of polymerization as a function of polymerization time and [Al]/[Zr] ratio. Molecular weight distributions with polydispersities between three and four indicate the presence of more than one active site type. We proposed a model that explained these broad molecular weight distributions using an unstable active complex that is formed in the early stages of the reaction and is transformed over time to a more stable active complex via an intermediate. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1677–1690, 2007     

Simulation of Molecular‐Weight Distribution Using a New Kinetic Model of Ethene Polymerization Catalyzed by Cp2ZrCl2‐MAO

The kinetics of ethene polymerization catalyzed by Cp₂ZrCl₂‐methylaluminoxane (MAO) is studied by applying a new kinetic model. Important kinetic parameters of polymerization were estimated. In addition a method of calculating the molecular‐weight distribution (MWD) of the resultant polyethene was established by developing this new model. The final product is expected to comprise three components, which are produced by different active‐site types, and the MWD of one of the components is less than 2. Good agreement between the estimated value and the variation of polydispersity was achieved.