Patent · US Expired

Bimetallic catalyst, method of polymerization and bimodal polyolefins therefrom

US7172987B2 · kind B2 · utility

28Cited by
35References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 2, 2003
Grant dateFeb 6, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 13, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC08F110/02
  • WIPO fieldMacromolecular chemistry, polymers
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Bimetallic catalysts, and methods of producing a bimetallic catalyst comprising a modified Ziegler-Natta catalyst and a metallocene are provided, in one embodiment the method including combining: (a) a Ziegler-Natta catalyst comprising a Group 4, 5 or 6 metal halide and/or oxide, optionally including a magnesium compound, with (b) a modifier compound (“modifier”), wherein the modifier compound is a Group 13 alkyl compound, to form a modified Ziegler-Natta catalyst. Also provided is a method of olefin polymerization using the bimetallic catalyst of the invention. The modified Ziegler-Natta catalyst is preferably non-activated, that is, it is unreactive towards olefin polymerization alone. In one embodiment, the molar ratio of the Group 13 metal (of the modifier) to the Group 4, 5 or 6 metal halide and/or oxide is less than 10:1 in one embodiment. The bimetallic catalysts of the present invention are useful in producing bimodal polymers, particularly bimodal polyethylene, having a Polydispersity (Mw/Mn) of from 12 to 50. These bimodal polyolefins are useful in such articles as pipes and films.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.