Co-supported catalysts for the tandem trimerization and polymerization of ethylene to produce linear low density polyethylene

US9969828B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · US
• KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS · SA

Inventors

• Dinesh C. Aluthge · Pasadena, US
• Aaron Sattler · Annandale, US
• Mamdouh Ahmed Al-Harthi · Dhahran, SA
• Jay A. Labinger · Claremont, US
• John E. Bercaw · Pasadena, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 20, 2017
• Grant date: May 15, 2018
• Expiry date: Jan 20, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C08F2500/08
• WIPO field: Macromolecular chemistry, polymers
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) is produced from an ethylene-only feed over a tandem catalyst system consisting of a phenoxy-imine titanium trimerization catalyst and a silylene-linked cyclopentadienyl/amido titanium polymerization catalyst co-supported on the same methylaluminoxane/silica particles. The level of 1-hexene incorporation in the LLDPE can be controlled by varying the ethylene pressure. Tandem, co-silica-supported ethylene trimerization and ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization catalysts produce linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) from an ethylene-only feedstock. The percentage 1-hexene incorporation in the LLDPE may be varied by adjusting the amounts of the two catalysts on the silica support.