Lanthanide complex catalyst and polymerization method employing same

摘要

A novel class of lanthanide metal salen complexes can be used as an ingredient of a catalyst system. The catalyst system can be used in polymerizations of ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers.

主权项

1. A catalyst composition comprising a catalyst activator and a lanthanide metal complex of the general formulawhere
M represents a Nd or Gd atom; L represents a neutral Lewis base; z is an integer of from 0 to 2 inclusive, with the proviso that each L is the same when z is 2; R1 is a divalent atom or group that contains at least one C,O,S,N,P,Si,Se,Sn or B; each R2 independently is H, a halogen atom, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, the radical of a heterocyclic compound, or a heteroatom-containing group; and R3 is a halogen containing group, a group that contains an Al atom, or R2, with the proviso that (1) two R2 groups together with the atoms to which each is bonded can form a ring structure, (2) one R2 group and R1 R3 together with the atoms to which each is bonded can form a ring structure, and/or (3) R1 and R3 together with the atoms to which each is bonded can form a ring structure.