454476-59-6

Abstract: In this article, preparation of novel spherical MgCl2 supported α-diimine nickel (II) catalysts for ethylene polymerization in slurry phase is reported. α-Diimine ligands were synthesized by condensation reaction of 2, 6-disubstituted alkyls or aryls anilines and Ace naphthoquinone Which have hydroxyl functionality in their para-position. Hydroxyl functionalized α-diimine attached strongly on to the spherical MgCl2 support surface by dative bonding. No linker was needed to attach the complexes onto the support surface and the amount of loaded Nickel was controllable to improve morphology and especially bulk density of polymer powder. A significant reduction in catalysts activity has happened when homogeneous catalysts were supported onto silica but this reduction was decreased when they were supported onto thermally treated spherical MgCl2. As homogeneous bis(N,N′-(4-(3-hydroxyl-propyl)-2,6-di[(4-tert-butyl-phenyl)-phenyl) amino] Ace naphthoquinone Nickel dibromide(d) showed the highest activity among other evaluated homogeneous catalysts, its MgCl2 supported catalyst (d/S-MgCl2) has shown the highest activity among MgCl2 supported catalysts too. These MgCl2 supported catalysts were pre-polymerized in presence of ethylene monomer in the mild polymerization condition to yield a pre-polymerized catalyst with polymer/catalyst weight ratio equal to six. Ethylene polymerization was carried out to make spherical particles of polyethylene without reactor fouling by these pre-polymerized catalysts. Clearly, it is shown in SEM images that the spherical morphology of MgCl2 support is replicated in the produced polymer. The molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of produced polymer with MgCl2 supported catalysts were higher than those produced by homogeneous catalysts. Graphic Abstract: α–Diimine nickel (II) complexes have hydroxy functionality where produce strong dative bonding onto spherical MgCl2. This bonding is strong enough that these catalysts are suitable for slurry polymerization of ethylene without reactor fouling due to catalyst leaching from support. The chemical structure of MgCl2 leads to high active supported catalysts. The molecular weight and polydispersity index of produced polymrers using these supported catalysts are higher than those produced by equivalent homogeneous catalysts and are controllable by selection of appropriate ligand for used α–diimine nickel (II) complex or hydrogen concentration in ethylene polymerization.[Figure not available: see fulltext.].

α-Diimine nickel(II) complexes covalently linked to a silica support were obtained by the reaction of an amino- or hydroxy-functionalized α-diimine nickel complex with silica particles treated with trimethyl aluminum. These silica-supported aryl α-diimine nickel(II) precatalysts linked via an amino (1a) or hydroxy functionality (1b-c) at the p-aryl position, and precatalysts linked via one (2a) or two (2b) hydroxy functionalities in the alkyl backbone were used in slurry polymerizations of ethylene to produce branched polyethylenes. Activation of precatalysts with ethylaluminum sesquichloride was effective even at very low Al/Ni ratios of 48. Initial polymerizations, performed at 60°C and 150 psig ethylene, showed excellent productivities of up to 10.8 kg PE per gram of 1b (3.0 wt % nickel loading). Low productivities at temperatures above 60°C can in part be overcome by increase in ethylene pressure. For example, a productivity of 6.0 kg PE per gram of 1b (3.0 wt% nickel loading) was obtained at 80°C and 700 psig ethylene. The best polymerization productivities were obtained with trimethylalumlnum as a traceless silica-linker, however, tetrachlorosilane and trichloroborane are attractive alternatives. Branching densities can be controlled by choice of ortho-aryl substituents. No reactor fouling occurs with these supported catalysts.