Supported Zr-and Hf-cene Catalysts for Propylene Polymerization

The supported metallocene catalysts were obtained on the layered silicate montmorillonite (MMT), using AlMe₃ and AliBu₃ for synthesis of alkylaluminoxane directly on a support surface, followed by metallocene supporting. It was shown that the MMT-H₂O/AliBu₃ forms with ansa-Zr-cenes of C₁ and C₂-symmetry the significantly more active supported metal-alkyl complexes in propene polymerization, than MMT-H₂O/AlMe₃. The MMT-H₂O/AliBu₃ is the effective activator of the ansa-Hf-cenes, in contrast to MAO and MMT-H₂O/AlMe₃, giving the high active supported catalysts for synthesis of isotactic and elastic polypropene. The character of influence of metallocene fixation on support on the isotactic pentad [mmmm] content in polymer, compared to homogeneous analogues, depends on the metallocene nature. The introduction of borate Ph₃CB(C₆F₅)₄ in the case of both Zr-cene and Hf-cene catalysts increases significantly the activity at the reduced ratio of Al/Zr, Hf (100–500 instead of 2000–3000) and stabilizes the catalytic complexes.