Functionalized Star‐Like Polystyrenes as Organic Supports of a Tridentate Bis(imino)pyridinyliron/Aluminic Derivative Catalytic System for Ethylene Polymerization

Summary: Star‐like polystyrenes composed of a microgel core with arms functionalized with a few hydroxy‐ or methoxy‐ended ethylene oxide units were used as organic supports for a tridentate bis(imino)pyridinyliron catalyst towards ethylene polymerization. When used as supports of 2,6‐bis[1‐2,6(diisopropylphenyl)imino]ethylpyridynyl iron dichloride in the presence of various alkylaluminium compounds, the supported catalysts enabled the production, with a high catalytic activity, of polyethylene beads of a spherical morphology and high bulk density. A good control of the polyethylene molar mass distribution could also be achieved, which was explained by a lowering of the transfer reaction to the aluminium derivative, as compared to homogeneous conditions.

SEM image of PE particles prepared in the presence of trimethylaluminium supported on a PS microgel with an iron catalyst (TMA/Fe = 800).