Compostions including a phenol-oxadiazole complex and a metallocene complex
The phenol-oxadiazole and asymmetric metallocene complex composition addresses the limitations of traditional polymerization processes by achieving superior I21/I5 ratios and long chain branching, improving polyolefin properties.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-05
AI Technical Summary
Existing polymerization processes struggle to achieve high I21/I5 ratios and significant long chain branching in polyolefins, particularly in gas phase polymerizations, which are crucial for desirable melt-strength and processability.
A composition comprising a phenol-oxadiazole complex and an asymmetric metallocene complex, represented by specific structures, is used to enhance polymerization, resulting in improved I21/I5 ratios and long chain branching.
The composition achieves higher I21/I5 ratios and increased long chain branching in polyolefins, enhancing melt-strength and processability compared to traditional catalyst systems.
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Abstract
Description
COMPOSTIONS INCLUDING A PHENOL-OXADIAZOLE COMPLEX AND A METALLOCENE COMPLEXField of Disclosure
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards compositions including a phenol-oxadiazole complex and a metallocene complex.Background
[0002] Polymers may be utilized for a number of products including films, fibers, pipes, nonwoven and / or woven fabrics, extruded articles, and / or molded articles, among others. Polymers can be formed by reacting one or more types of monomer in a polymerization reaction. There is continued focus in the industry on developing new and improved materials and / or processes that may be utilized to form polymers.Summary
[0003] The present disclosure provides various embodiments, including the following.
[0004] A composition including a phenol-oxadiazole complex represented by structure (I):structure (I), wherein each Ar is 2,6-Cl2Ph and R1-R6of structure (I) are each independently hydrogen, a (C-| - Cg)alkyl , fluorine (F), or trifluoromethyl (CF3) and a metallocene complex represented by structure (II): structure (II):wherein each of R1to R1^ of structure (II) are independently H, or a (C-| -C2o)alkyl, with the proviso that adjacent constituents R1to R5or adjacent constituents R6to R1 0may be fused to make an indenyl ring; M is a Group 4 metal; and each X is a leaving group.Detailed Description
[0005] Compositions, e.g., catalyst systems, including a phenol-oxadiazole complex and an asymmetric metallocene complex are disclosed herein. These compositions can be utilized to make polyolefins in gas phase polymerizations. Advantageously, these compositions can be utilized to make polymers having an improved, i.e. greater, I21 / I5 ratio, as compared to polymers made with other catalyst systems via gas phase polymerizations.
[0006] This improved, i.e. greater, I21 / I5 ratio can be achieved under similar polymerization conditions while utilizing another catalyst system that includes the asymmetric metallocene complex, but does not include the phenol-oxadiazole complex, as discussed herein. A greater I21 / I5 ratio is advantageous for a number of applications.
[0007] Additionally, these compositions can be utilized to make polymers having an improved, i.e., greater, degree of long chain branching via gas phase polymerizations as compared similar polymerizations that utilize another catalyst system that includes the asymmetric metallocene complex, but does not include the phenol-oxadiazole complex. A relatively greater I21 / I5 ratio can indicate a relative greater degree of long chain branching. Long chain branching for polymers, e.g., polyethylene, can be advantageous for a number of applications. Long chain branching for polyolefins can provide desirable melt-strength and / or or desirable processability. Long chain branching is generally not observed in products made via gas phase polymerizations.
[0008] The compositions disclosed herein include a phenol-oxadiazole complex and a metallocene complex. The phenol-oxadiazole complex can be represented by the following structure (I):structure (I)
[0009] wherein each Ar is 2,6-Cl2Ph and R1-R6of structure (I) are each independently hydrogen, a (C-| - Cg)alkyl , fluorine (F), or trifluoromethyl (CF3).
[0010] One or more embodiments provide that R1, R2, and R4of structure (I) are each H and R3and R6of structure (I) are each a (C-| - Cg)alkyL One or more embodiments provide that R1, R2, and R4of structure (I) are each H and R3and R6of structure (I) are each a (C2 - Cz^alkyl. One or more embodiments provide that R1, R2, and R4of structure (I) are each H and R3and R6of structure (I) are each a (C^alkyl. One or more embodiments provide that R1, R2, and R4of structure (I) are each H and R3and R6of structure (I) are each t-butyl.
[0011] Phenol-oxadiazole complexes are known. The phenol-oxadiazole complex represented by structure (I) can be made by processes, i.e. with conventional solvents, reaction conditions, reaction times, and isolation procedures, utilized for making known phenol-oxadiazole complexes.
[0012] The compositions disclosed herein include a metallocene complex. Embodiments provide that the metallocene complex is represented by structure (II):structure (II)
[0013] where each of R1to R1^ are independently H, or a (C-| -C2o)alkyl with the proviso that adjacent constituents R1to R5 or adjacent constituents R® to R1^ may be fused to make an indenyl ring; M is a Group 4 metal, e.g., Ti, Zr, or Hf; and each X is a leaving group.
[0014] One or more embodiments provide that the metallocene complex is an asymmetric metallocene complex is represented by structure (III):
[0015] where each of R1to R1 2of structure (III) is independently H, or a (C-| - C2o)alkyl; M is a Group 4 metal, e.g., Ti, Zr, or Hf; and each X is a leaving group.
[0016] As shown in structure (III), adjacent constituents R4and R5 of structure (II) are fused to make an indenyl ring, i.e. the ring including R4to R7of structure (III).
[0017] As the cyclopentadienyl components, e.g., the upper and lower components illustrated above in structure (III), are not identical, the complex can be referred to as an asymmetric metallocene complex. As shown in structure (III), the upper component is bicyclic, and the lower component is monocyclic.
[0018] One or more embodiments provide that M, as shown herein, is Zr. One or more embodiments provide that M is Hf. One or more embodiments provide that M is Ti.
[0019] One or more embodiments provide that fiveto R7of structure (III), are H, while two of R1to7are a (C-| -C2o)alkyl and each of R8to R12are H. One or more embodiments provide that five of R1to R7are H, while two of R1to R7are a (C-| - Cg)alkyl and each of R8to R1 2are H. One or more embodiments provide that five of R1to R7are H, while two of R1to7are a (C-| -C3)alkyl and each of R8to R1 2are H. One or more embodiments provide that five of R^ to R7are H, while two of R^ to R7are a (C-| )alkyl and each of R8to R12are H.
[0020] One or more embodiments provide that R2, R8, R4, R8, and R7of structure (III), are H, while R1and R8are a (C-| -C2o)alkyl and each of R8to R1 2are H. One or more embodiments provide that R2, R8, R4, R8, and R7are H, while R^ and R8are a (C-| -Cg)alkyl and each of R8to R1 2are H. One or more embodiments provide that R2, R8, R4, R8, and R7are H, while R^ and R8are a (C-| -C jalkyl and each of R8to R^2are H. One or more embodiments provide that R2, R8, R4, R8, and R7are H, while R1and R8are a (C-| )alkyl and each of R8to R1 2are H.
[0021] One or more embodiments provide that X, as shown herein, is selected from alkyls and halogens. One or more embodiments provide that X is Cl. One or more embodiments provide that X is methyl. Examples of X include halogen ions, hydrides, (C1 to C12)alkyls, (C2 to C12)alkenyls, (C5 to C12)aryls, (C7 to C20)alkylaryls, (C1 to C12)alkoxys, (C6 to C16)aryloxys, (C7 to C8)alkylaryloxys, (C1 to C12)fluoroalkyls, (C6 to C12)fluoroaryls, and (C1 to C12)heteroatom-containing hydrocarbons and substituted derivatives thereof; one or more embodiments include hydrides, halogen ions, (C1 to C6)alkyls, (C2 to C6) alkenyls, (C7 to C18)alkylaryls, (C1 to C6)alkoxys, (C6 to C14)aryloxys, (C7 to C16) alkylaryloxys, (C1 to C6)alkylcarboxylates, (C1 to C6)fluorinated alkylcarboxylates, (C6 to C12)arylcarboxylates, (C7 to C18)alkylarylcarboxylates, (C1 to C6 )fluoroalkyls, (C2 to C6)fluoroalkenyls, and (C7 to C18)fluoroalkylaryls; one or more embodiments include hydride, chloride, fluoride, methyl, phenyl, phenoxy, benzoxy, tosyl, fluoromethyls and fluorophenyls; one or more embodiments include (C1 to C12)alky Is, (C2 to C12)alkenyls, (C5 to C12)aryls, (C6 toC20)alkylaryls, substituted (C1 to C12)alkyls, substituted (C6 to C12)aryls, substituted (C7 to C20)alkylaryls, and (C1 to C12)heteroatom-containing alkyls, (C1 to C12)heteroatom-containing aryls, and (C1 to C12)heteroatom-containing alkylaryls; one or more embodiments include chloride, fluoride, (C1 to C6)alkyls, (C2 to C6)alkenyls, (C7 to C18)alkylaryls, halogenated (C1 to C6)alkyls, halogenated (C2 to C6) alkenyls, and halogenated (C7 to C18)alkylaryls; one or more embodiments include fluoride, methyl, ethyl, propyl, phenyl, methylphenyl, dimethylphenyl, trimethylphenyl, fluoromethyls (mono-, di- and trifluoromethyls) and fluorophenyls (mono-, di-, tri-, tetra- and pentafluorophenyls).
[0022] Other non-limiting examples of X groups include amines, phosphines, ethers, carboxylates, dienes, hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, fluorinated hydrocarbon radicals, e.g., -C6F5 (pentafluorophenyl), fluorinated alkylcarboxylates, e.g., CF3C(O)O-, hydrides, halogen ions and combinations thereof. Other examples of X ligands include alkyl groups such as cyclobutyl, cyclohexyl, methyl, heptyl, tolyl, trifluoromethyl, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, methylidene, methyoxy, ethyoxy, propoxy, phenoxy, bis(N-methylanilide), dimethylamide, and dimethylphosphide radicals, among others. In one embodiment, two or more X's form a part of a fused ring or ring system. In one or more embodiments, X can be a leaving group selected from the group consisting of chloride ions, bromide ions, (C1 to C10)alkyls, (C2 to C12)alkenyls, carboxylates, acetylacetonates, and alkoxides.
[0023] One or more embodiments provide that the metallocene complex can be represented by structure (IV)structure (IV).
[0024] Structure (IV) illustrates structure (III) wherein M is Zr, each X is a(C-| )alkyl, R2, R2, R4, R2, and R7are each H, while R1and R2are each a (C-| )alkyl and each of R2to R^2are H.
[0025] Embodiments provide that the phenol-oxadiazole complex, e.g., of structure (I), can be from 45 to 95 weight percent (wt%) of the composition based upon a total weight of the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex. All individual values and subranges from 45to 95 wt% are included; for example, thephenol-oxadiazole complex can be from a lower limit of 45, 50, 55, 60, or 65 wt% to an upper limit of 95, 90, 85, 80, or 75 wt% based upon the total weight of the phenol- oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex.
[0026] Embodiments provide that the metallocene complex, e.g., of structure (II), structure (III), and / or structure (IV), can be from 5 to 65 wt% of the composition based upon a total weight of the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex. All individual values and subranges from 5 to 65 wt% are included; for example, the metallocene complex can be from a lower limit of 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25 wt% to an upper limit of 65, 50, 45, 40, or 35 wt% based upon the total weight of the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex.
[0027] The metallocene complexes, as discussed herein, can be made by processes, i.e. with conventional solvents, reaction conditions, reaction times, and isolation procedures, utilized for making known metallocene complexes. A number of metallocene complexes are commercially available.
[0028] As used herein, all reference to the Periodic Table of the Elements and groups thereof is to the NEW NOTATION published in HAWLEYS CONDENSED CHEMICAL DICTIONARY, Thirteenth Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., (1997) (reproduced there with permission from IUPAC), unless reference is made to the Previous IUPAC form noted with Roman numerals (also appearing in the same), or unless otherwise noted.
[0029] As used herein, an “alkyl” includes linear, branched and cyclic paraffin radicals that are deficient by one hydrogen. Thus, for example, CH3 (“methyl”), CH2CH3 (“ethyl”), and C(CH3)3 (“t butyl”) are examples of alkyls.
[0030] As used herein, an “alkenyl” includes linear, branched and cyclic olefin radicals that are deficient by one hydrogen; alkynyl radicals include linear, branched and cyclic acetylene radicals deficient by one hydrogen radical.
[0031] As used herein, “aryl” groups include phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl and other radicals whose molecules have the ring structure characteristic of benzene, naphthylene, phenanthrene, anthracene, etc. It is understood that an “aryl’ group can be a C5 to C20 aryl group. For example, a C5H5 aromatic structure is an “phenyl”, a CQH4 2 aromatic structure is an “phenylene”. An “arylalkyl” group is an alkyl group having an aryl group pendant therefrom. It is understood that an “aralkyl” group can be a C7 to C20aralkyl group. An “alkylaryl” is an aryl group having one or more alkyl groups pendant therefrom.
[0032] As used herein, an “alkylene” includes linear, branched and cyclic hydrocarbon radicals deficient by two hydrogens. Thus, CH2 (“methylene”) and CH2CH2 (“ethylene”) are examples of alkylene groups. Other groups deficient by two hydrogen radicals include “arylene” and “alkenylene”.
[0033] As used herein, all percents refer to weight percent unless otherwise noted.
[0034] Embodiments provide that the phenol-oxadiazole complex discussed herein and / or the metallocene complex discussed herein can be supported on a same support or on separate supports, or one or more of those components may be used in an unsupported form. Utilizing the support may be accomplished by any technique used in the art. The support may be functionalized. A spray-dried compositions can include a support, e.g., a spray dried support.
[0035] A “support”, which may also be referred to as a “carrier”, refers to any support material, including a porous support material, such as talc, inorganic oxides, and inorganic chlorides. Other support materials include resinous support materials, e.g., polystyrene, functionalized or crosslinked organic supports, such as polystyrene divinyl benzene polyolefins or polymeric compounds, zeolites, clays, or any other organic or inorganic support material and the like, or mixtures thereof.
[0036] Support materials include inorganic oxides that include Group 2, 3, 4, 5, 13 or 14 metal oxides. The terms “support”, “solid support”, “support material”, and “solid support material” may be used interchangeably, and herein refer to a porous inorganic substance or organic substance. Some preferred supports include silica, fumed silica, alumina, silica-alumina, and mixtures thereof. Some other supports include magnesia, titania, zirconia, magnesium chloride, montmorillonite, phyllosilicate, zeolites, talc, clays, and the like. Also, combinations of these support materials may be used, for example, silica-chromium, silica- alumina, silica-titania and the like. Additional support materials may include porous acrylic polymers, nanocomposites, aerogels, spherulites, and polymeric beads. An example of a support is fumed silica available under the trade name CABOSIL TS- 610, or other TS- or TG-series supports, available from Cabot Corporation. Fumed silica is typically a silica with particles 7 to 30 nanometers in size that has been treated with dimethylsilyldichloride such that a majority of the surface hydroxyl groups are capped.
[0037] Embodiments provide that the inorganic oxide support material is porous and has variable surface area, pore volume, and average particle size. In some embodiments, the surface area is from 50 to 1000 square meter per gram (m2 / g) and the average particle size is from 1 to 300 micrometers (pm), alternatively 20 to 300 pm. Alternatively, the pore volume is from 0.5 to 6.0 cubic centimeters per gram (cm3 / g) and the surface area is from 200 to 600 m2 / g. Alternatively, the pore volume is from 1 .1 to 1 .8 cm3 / g and the surface area is from 245 to 375 m2 / g. Alternatively, the pore volume is from 2.4 to 3.7 cm^ / g and the surface area is from 410 to 620 m2 / g. Alternatively, the pore volume is from 0.9 to 1 .4 cm2 / g and the surface area is from 390 to 590 m2 / g. Each of the above properties are measured using conventional techniques known in the art.
[0038] The support material may comprise silica, alternatively amorphous silica (not quartz), alternatively a high surface area amorphous silica, e.g., from 500 to 1000 m2 / g. Such silicas are commercially available from several sources including the Davison Chemical Division of W.R. Grace and Company, e.g., Davison 952 and Davison 955 products, and PQ Corporation, e.g., ES70 product. The silica may be in the form of spherical particles, which may be obtained by a spray-drying process. Alternatively, MS3050 product is a silica from PQ Corporation that is not spray-dried. As procured, these silicas are not calcined (i.e., not dehydrated). Silica that is calcined prior to purchase may also be used as the support material.
[0039] In some embodiments the solid support is a hydrophobic fumed silica. The hydrophobic fumed silica is made by contacting an untreated fumed silica, having surfaces containing silicon-bonded hydroxyl groups (Si-OH groups), with a hydrophobing agent, described later. In some embodiments the hydrophobing agent is a silicon-based hydrophobing agent, containing on average per molecule one or more functional groups reactive with a Si-OH group, to give the hydrophobic fumed silica. The silicon-based hydrophobing agent may be selected from (CHg^SiC^, a polydimethylsiloxane, hexamethyldisilazane (HMDZ), and a (C-| -C-| o)alkylSi((C-| -C-j o)alkoxy)3 (e.g., an octyltrialkoxysilane such as octyltriethoxysilane, i.e., CH3(CH2)7Si(OCH2CH3)3). In some embodiments the silicon-based hydrophobing agent is dimethyldichlorosilane, i.e., (CH3)2SiCl2- In some embodiments the support material is a dimethyldichlorosilane- treated fumed silica, such as that sold as product TS-610 from Cabot Corporation.
[0040] The support material may be uncalcined or calcined. The calcined support material is made prior to being contacted with a precatalyst, activator, and / or hydrophobing agent, by heating the support material in air to give a calcined support material. The calcining comprises heating the support material at a peak temperature from 350 °C to 850 °C, alternatively from 400 °C to 800 °C, alternatively from 400 °C to 700 °C, alternatively from 500° to 650° C and for a time period from 2 to 24 hours, alternatively from 4 to 16 hours, alternatively from 8 to 12 hours, alternatively from 1 to 4 hours, thereby making the calcined support material. If the support material has not been heated in this way it can be referred to as an uncalcined support material.
[0041] As mentioned, the phenol-oxadiazole complex discussed herein and / or the metallocene complex can be utilized to make supported catalyst systems or compositions. In some embodiments the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex and a support material are contacted together in an inert hydrocarbon liquid to give a suspension in the inert hydrocarbon liquid, then the suspension is contacted with an activator to give a suspension of the supported catalyst system in the inert hydrocarbon liquid, and then the inert hydrocarbon liquid is removed to give the supported catalyst system.
[0042] In some embodiments the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex and an activator are contacted together in an inert hydrocarbon liquid to give a solution of a catalyst in the inert hydrocarbon liquid, then the solution is contacted with the support material to give a suspension of the supported catalyst system in the inert hydrocarbon liquid, and then the inert hydrocarbon liquid is removed to give the supported catalyst system.
[0043] In some embodiments the activator and the support material are contacted together in an inert hydrocarbon liquid to give a suspension of a supported activator in the inert hydrocarbon liquid, then the suspension is contacted with the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex to give a suspension of the supported catalyst system in the inert hydrocarbon liquid, and then the inert hydrocarbon liquid is removed to give the supported catalyst system.
[0044] In some embodiments the phenol-oxadiazole complex, the metallocene complex, the activator, and the support material are contacted together simultaneously in an inert hydrocarbon liquid to give a suspension of the supported catalyst, and then the inert hydrocarbon liquid is removed to give the supported catalyst system.
[0045] The removing of the inert hydrocarbon liquid from the suspension of the supported catalyst system may include a step of decanting some of the inert hydrocarbon liquid from the suspension. In some embodiments the decanting method comprises pouring off excess inert hydrocarbon liquid from the suspension to give a concentrated suspension of the supported catalyst system.
[0046] The removing of the inert hydrocarbon liquid from the suspension of the supported catalyst system may comprise a step of drying the supported catalyst system. The drying step may comprise a conventional drying method and / or a spray-drying method.
[0047] A conventional drying method can include slowly increasing the mass or molar amount of relatively less volatile chemical constituent(s) per unit volume of a continuous mixture comprising more volatile and less volatile chemical constituent(s) by gradually removing the more volatile chemical constituent(s) from the less volatile constituent(s) of the continuous mixture to give a concentrate having a higher mass or molar amount of the less volatile chemical constituent(s) per unit volume than did the continuous mixture, wherein the rate of gradual removing is limited by a relatively small evaporative surface area to mass ratio (compared to spray-drying). The concentrate may be a precipitated solid.
[0048] The phenol-oxadiazole complex discussed herein and the metallocene complex discussed herein can be utilized to make spray-dried compositions. As used herein, “spray-dried composition” refers to a composition that includes a number of components that have undergone a spray-drying process. Various spray-drying process are known in the art and are suitable for forming the spray-dried compositions disclosed herein. One or more embodiments provide that the spray-dried composition comprises a trim composition.
[0049] In one or more embodiments, the spray-drying process may comprise atomizing a composition including the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex. A number of other known components may be utilized in the spray-drying process. An atomizer, such as an atomizing nozzle or a centrifugal high speed disc, for example, may be used to create a spray or dispersion of droplets of the composition. The droplets of the composition may then be rapidly dried by contact with an inert drying gas. The inert drying gas may be any gas that is non-reactive under the conditions employed during atomization, such as nitrogen, for example. The inert drying gas may meet the composition at the atomizer, which produces a droplet stream on a continuousbasis. Dried particles of the composition may be trapped out of the process in a separator, such as a cyclone, for example, which can separate solids formed from a gaseous mixture of the drying gas, solvent, and other volatile components.
[0050] A spray-dried composition may have the form of a free-flowing powder, for instance. After the spray-drying process, the spray-dried composition and a number of known components, for instance, may be utilized to form a slurry. The spray-dried composition may be utilized with a diluent to form a slurry suitable for use in olefin polymerization, for example. In one or more embodiments, the slurry may be combined with one or more additional catalysts or other known components prior to delivery into a polymerization reactor.
[0051] In one or more embodiments, the spray-dried composition may be formed by contacting a spray dried activator particle, such as spray dried fumed silica (e.g., Cabosil) and methylaluminoxane(MAO), with a solution of the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex. Such a solution of the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex can be made in an inert hydrocarbon solvent, for instance. Such a spray-dried composition comprised of contacting the solution of the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex with a spray dried activator particle, such as spray-dried MAO, may be made in situ in a feed line heading into a slurry or gas phase polymerization reactor by contacting the solution with a slurry, typically in mineral oil, of the spray-dried activator particle.
[0052] As an example, various spray-drying conditions may be utilized for different applications. For instance, the spray-drying process may utilize a drying temperature from 115 to 185 °C. Various sizes of orifices of the atomizing nozzle employed during the spray-drying process may be utilized to obtain different particle sizes. Alternatively, for other types of atomizers such as discs, rotational speed, disc size, and number / size of holes may be adjusted to obtain different particle sizes. One or more embodiments provide that a filler may be utilized in the spray-drying process. Different fillers and amounts thereof may be utilized for various applications.
[0053] The compositions discussed herein e.g., the spray-dried phenol- oxadiazole complex and metallocene complex compositions, may be utilized to make a polymer. For instance, the phenol-oxadiazole complex and / or the metallocene complex may be activated, i.e. with an activator, to make a catalyst. One or more embodiments provide that the spray-dried compositions include an activator. As used herein, "activator" refers to any compound or combination of compounds, supported, orunsupported, which can activate a complex or a catalyst component, such as by creating a cationic species of the catalyst component, e.g., to provide the catalyst. The activator may also be referred to as a "co-catalyst". The activator can include a Lewis acid or a non-coordinating ionic activator or ionizing activator, or any other compound including Lewis bases, aluminum alkyls, and / or conventional-type co-catalysts. Activators include methylaluminoxane (MAO) and modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), among others. One or more embodiments provide that the activator is methylaluminoxane. Activating conditions are well known in the art. Known activating conditions may be utilized.
[0054] The activator used may be any compound capable of reacting with the precatalyst of structures (I), (II), and / or (III) to provide an active olefin polymerization catalyst. The activator may be a Lewis acid, a non-coordinating ionic activator, or an ionizing activator, or a Lewis base.
[0055] A molar ratio of metal, e.g., aluminum, in the activator to Group 4 metal in a combination of the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex may be 3500: 1 to 0.5: 1 , 1500 : 1 to 0.5: 1 , 750 : 1 to 0.5 : 1 , 300 : 1 to 0.5 : 1 , or 150: 1 to 1 : 1. One or more embodiments provide that the molar ratio of metal in the activator to Group 4 metal in the combination of the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex is at least 75:1 . One or more embodiments provide that the molar ratio of metal in the activator to Group 4 metal in the combination of the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex is at least 100:1 . One or more embodiments provide that the molar ratio of metal in the activator to Group 4 metal in the combination of the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex is at least 150:1. One or more embodiments provide that the molar ratio of metal in the activator to Group 4 metal in the combination of the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex is at least 300:1 . One or more embodiments provide that the molar ratio of metal in the activator to Group 4 metal in the combination of the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex is at least 750:1 .
[0056] Suitable activators are commercially available. In some embodiments the aluminum based activator is an alkylaluminum or an alkylaluminoxane (alkylalumoxane). Any alkyl group may be utilized. In some embodiments, each alkyl of the alkylaluminum or alkylaluminoxane independently may be a (C-| -Cg)alkyl, alternatively a (C-j -Cyjalkyl, alternatively a (C-| -Cg)alkyl, alternatively a (C-| -C4)alkyl.
[0057] The alkylaluminum may be a trialkylaluminum, alkylaluminum halide, or alkylaluminum alkoxide (diethylaluminum ethoxide). The trialkylaluminum may betrimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum (“TEAI”), tripropylaluminum, or tris(2- methylpropyl)aluminum. The alkylaluminum halide may be diethylaluminum chloride. The alkylaluminum alkoxide may be diethylaluminum ethoxide.
[0058] The phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex, a catalyst system made from the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex, and / or the spray-dried compositions including the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex, and an olefin can be contacted under polymerization conditions to make a polymer, e.g., a polyolefin polymer. The catalyst system can include the phenol- oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex; an activator; and a support, which are discussed herein. The polymerization process may be a gas phase polymerization process. The polymerization process may utilize using known equipment and reaction conditions, e.g., known polymerization conditions. The polymerization process is not limited to any specific type of polymerization system. The polymer can be utilized for a number of articles such as films, fibers, pipes, nonwoven and / or woven fabrics, extruded articles, and / or molded articles.
[0059] One or more embodiments provide that the polymers are made utilizing a gas-phase reactor system. One or more embodiments provide that a single gas-phase reactor, e.g., in contrast to a series of reactors, is utilized. In other words, polymerization reaction occurs in only one reactor. For instance, the polymers can be made utilizing a fluidized bed reactor. Gas-phase reactors are known and known components may be utilized for the fluidized bed reactor.
[0060] As used herein an “olefin,” which may be referred to as an “alkene,” refers to a linear, branched, or cyclic compound including carbon and hydrogen and having at least one double bond. As used herein, when a polyolefin, polymer, and / or copolymer is referred to as comprising, e.g., being made from, an olefin, the olefin present in such polymer or copolymer is the polymerized form of the olefin. For example, when a copolymer is said to have an ethylene content of 75 wt% to 95 wt%, it is understood that the polymer unit in the copolymer is derived from ethylene in the polymerization reaction(s) and the derived units are present at 75 wt% to 95 wt%, based upon the total weight of the polymer. A higher a-olefin refers to an a-olefin having 3 or more carbon atoms.
[0061] Polyolefins made with the spray-dried compositions including the phenol- oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex disclosed herein can made from olefin monomers such as ethylene, i.e., polyethylene, and linear or branched higher alpha-olefin monomers containing 3 to 20 carbon atoms. Examples of higher alpha-olefin monomers include, but are not limited to, propylene, butene, pentene, 1 -hexene (which can be referred to more simply as hexene), and 1 -octene. Examples of polyolefins include ethylene-based polymers, having at least 50 wt % ethylene, including ethylene- 1 -butene, ethylene-1 -hexene, and ethylene-1 -octene copolymers, among others. One or more embodiments provide that the polymer can include from 50 to 99.9 wt % of units derived from ethylene based on a total weight of the polymer. All individual values and subranges from 50 to 99.9 wt % are included; for example, the polymer can include from a lower limit of 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 wt % of units derived from ethylene to an upper limit of 99.9, 99.7, 99.4, 99, 96, 93, 90, or 85 wt % of units derived from ethylene based on the total weight of the polymer. The polymer can include from 0.1 to 50 wt % of units derived from comonomer based on the total weight of the polymer. One or more embodiments provide that ethylene is utilized as a monomer and 1 -hexene is utilized as a comonomer.
[0062] As mentioned, the polymers made with the spray-dried compositions including the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex can be made in a fluidized bed reactor. The fluidized bed reactor can have a reaction temperature from 10 to 130 °C. All individual values and subranges from 10 to 130 °C are included; for example, the fluidized bed reactor can have a reaction temperature from a lower limit of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, or 55 °C to an upper limit of 130, 120, 110, 100, 90, 80, 70, or 60 °C.
[0063] The fluidized bed reactor can have an ethylene partial pressure from 30 to 300 pounds per square inch (psi). All individual values and subranges from 30 to 300 are included; for example, the fluidized bed reactor can have an ethylene partial pressure from a lower limit of 30, 45, 60, 75, 85, 90, or 95 psi to an upper limit of 300, 240, 220, 200, 150, or 125 psi.
[0064] One or more embodiments provide that ethylene is utilized as a monomer and hexene is utilized as a comonomer. The fluidized bed reactor can have a comonomer to ethylene mole ratio, e.g., C5 / C2, from 0.0001 to 0.100. All individual values and subranges from 0.0001 to 0.100 are included; for example, the fluidized bed reactor can have a comonomer to ethylene mole ratio from a lower limit of 0.0001 , 0.0005, 0.0007, 0.001 , 0.0015, 0.002, 0.007, or 0.010 to an upper limit of 0.100, 0.080, or 0.050.
[0065] When hydrogen is utilized for a polymerization process, the fluidized bed reactor can have a hydrogen to ethylene mole ratio (H2 / C2) from 0.00001 to 0.90000, forinstance. All individual values and subranges from 0.00001 to 0.90000 are included; for example, the fluidized bed reactor can have a H2 / C2 from a lower limit of 0.00001 , 0.00005, or 0.00008 to an upper limit of 0.90000, 0.500000, 0.10000, 0.01500, 0.00700, or 0.00500. One or more embodiments provide that hydrogen is not utilized.
[0066] As mentioned, the polymers made with the compositions, disclosed herein, including the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex can have an improved, i.e. greater, I21 / I5 ratio, as compared to polymers made with other catalyst systems via gas phase polymerizations. The polymers made with the compositions, disclosed herein, including the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex can have an I21 / I5 ratio from 30.0 to 90.0. All individual values and subranges from 30.0 to 90.0 are included; for example, the polymer can have an I21 / I5 ratio from a lower limit of 30.0, 33.0, 35.0, or 38.0 to an upper limit of 90.0, 80.0, 70.0, or 60.0. Melt index (I5) can be determined according to ASTM D 3418-08 (190 °C, 5 kg). Melt index (I21 ) can be determined according to ASTM D 3418-08 (190 °C, 21.6 k).
[0067] The polymers made with the compositions, disclosed herein, including the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex can have a density from 0.8700 to 0.9700 g / cm3, AH individual values and subranges from 0.8700 to 0.9700 g / cm3areincluded; for example, the polymer can have a density from a lower limit of 0.8700, 0.9000, 0.9100, 0.9150, 0.9200, 0.9250, or 0.9350 g / cm3 to an upper limit of 0.9700, 0.9650, 0.9500, or 0.9550 g / cm3. Density can be determined by according to ASTM D792.
[0068] The polymers made with the compositions, disclosed herein, including the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex can have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) from 10,000 to 1 ,000,000 g / mol. All individual values and subranges from 10,000 to 1 ,000,000 g / mol are included; for example, the polymers can have an Mw from a lower limit of 10,000, 15,000, 20,000, 75,000, 100,000, or 130,000 g / mol to an upper limit of 1 ,000,000, 800,000, 600,000, 350,000, or 250,000 g / mol. Mw can be determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), as is known in the art. GPC is discussed herein.
[0069] The polymers made with the compositions, disclosed herein, including the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex can have a number average molecular weight (Mn) from 1 ,000 to 60,000 g / mol. All individual values and subranges from 1 ,000 to 60,000 g / mol are included; for example, the polymers can have an Mnfrom a lower limit of 1 ,000, 3,000, 5,000, or 7,000 g / mol to an upper limit of 60,000, 50,000, 40,000, 30,000, 20,000, or 15,000 g / mol. Mn can be determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), as is known in the art. GPC is discussed herein.
[0070] The polymers made with the compositions, disclosed herein, including the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex can have a weight average molecular weight to number average molecular weight ratio (Mw / Mn), which may be referred to as polydispersity index or molecular weight distribution, from 5.0 to 50.0. All individual values and subranges from 5.0 to 50.0 are included; for example, the polymers can have an Mw / Mn from a lower limit of 5.0, 10.0, or 15.0 to an upper limit of 50.0, 40.0, 30.0, or 28.0.EXAMPLES
[0071] A phenol-oxadiazole complex of structure (I):structure (I)
[0072] wherein each Ar is 2,6-Cl2Ph, R1, R2, and R4of structure (I) are each H, and R3and R6of structure (I) are each t-butyl, was obtained from the Dow Chemical Company.
[0073] A metallocene of structure (IV):structure (IV)
[0074] wherein each Me is methyl, was obtained from the Dow Chemical Company.
[0075] Silica (Cabosil TS-61 Op; Cabot corporation).
[0076] Example 1 , a composition including a phenol-oxadiazole complex and a metallocene, was made as follows.
[0077] Silica (2.65 g) and toluene (62.5 g) were added to a container, followed by addition of a 10 % solution (22 g) by weight of MAO in toluene. The phenol- oxadiazole complex of structure (I) (0.146 g) and metallocene complex of structure (IV) (0.012 g) were dissolved in toluene and added to the contents of the container, followed by stirring for 30-60 minutes. Then, the contents of the container were introduced into an atomizing device, to produce droplets that were then contacted with a hot nitrogen gas stream to evaporate the liquid and form a powder. The powder was separated from the gas mixture in a cyclone separator and discharged to provide Example 1 . The spray drier temperature was set at 160 °C and the outlet temperature at 70-80 °C. Example 1 included 75 wt% of the phenol-oxadiazole complex of structure (I) and 25 wt% of the metallocene complex of structure (I IV), based on a total weight of the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex.
[0078] Example 2, a composition including a phenol-oxadiazole complex and a metallocene complex, was made as Example 1 with the change that phenol-oxadiazole complex of structure (I) (0.130 g) and the metallocene complex of structure (IV) (0.016 g) were utilized. Example 2 included 66.65 wt% of the phenol-oxadiazole complex of structure (I) and 33.35 wt% of the metallocene complex of structure (IV), based on a total weight of the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex.
[0079] Gas-phase batch reactor Polymerizations 1-4 were performed respectively utilizing Example 1 and Example 2 as follows.
[0080] For respective polymerizations, a lab-scale gas phase polymerization reactor (2-liter, stainless steel autoclave equipped with a variable speed mechanical agitator) was charged with dried NaCI (400 g) and heated to 100 °C under a stream of nitrogen for one hour. Then the reactor was purged with nitrogen, silica supported methylaluminoxane (SMAO) was added as a scavenger to the reactor. After adding SMAO, the reactor was sealed and components were stirred. Then hydrogen was charged and the reactor was pressurized with ethylene (total pressure = 220 psi) and hexene was pumped in at a predetermined C6 / C2 ratio simultaneously. Once the system reached a steady state, the catalyst system (Example 1 or Example 2) was charged into the reactor to start polymerization. The reactor temperature was brought to the predetermined temperature and maintained at this temperature throughout the polymerization. The polymerization was carried out for 60 minutes. At the end of the 60minutes, the reactor was cooled down, vented and opened. The resulting product was washed with water, isopropanol and dried. Polymerization Activity (grams polymer / gram catalyst-hour) was determined as a ratio of an amount of polymer produced to an amount of catalyst added to the reactor. Polymerization conditions, reported as an average from four polymerization runs, and a number of properties are reported in Tables 1 -2.Table 1Table 2
[0081] Example 3, a composition including a phenol-oxadiazole complex and a metallocene complex, was made as follows.
[0082] An oil-jacketed, 10 gallon, continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR), was used for the preparation of all catalyst slurry feeds in this experiment. Catalyst slurries were mixed at 23 °C during preparation with 6 psig of nitrogen. The catalyst slurries were agitated and recirculated using a Pulsafeeder diaphragm metering pump, which is the same type of pump used to feed the catalyst slurry to the Spray Dryer atomizer. The agitation rate was maintained at 400 rpm. Between the CSTR and the diaphragm pump, was a set of filters containing a 20 mesh tapered screen element inside. Electrical heat tracing was kept energized on the process lines, filters, and diaphragm pump to provide that the slurries did not thicken from ambient temperature loss.
[0083] Toluene (13.6 lbs) was added to the CSTR and the agitator (400 rpm) was activated to provide slurry mixing. Next, a 10% solution of MAO mixed in toluene was added (12.8 lbs). The utilized liquids were added to the CSTR prior to other components to provide a heat sink for any exothermic reactions from catalyst material to be added, as well as to provide desired mixing of later added solid materials. Then,CABOSIL TS-610 fumed silica (1.54 lbs) was added, followed by the phenol-oxadiazole complex of structure (I) (24.5g), which was added via Swagelok stainless steel cylinders connected directly to the charge port on the CSTR. A toluene flush was used after each cylinder addition to CSTR to provide delivery of any residual material into the CSTR. After all of the components were introduced to CSTR, the components were mixed for 1 hour at 23 °C to provide a catalyst slurry utilized for spray drying.
[0084] After the catalyst slurry was prepared, a three-way valve was actuated to cease recirculation to the CSTR and instead send the catalyst slurry to a Spray Drying atomizer. This rotary atomizer was equipped with a 4-hole wheel assembly (GEA engineering, model FX-1), and was spun at setpoint (17,500 rpm to 22,500 rpm) before the catalyst slurry was injected. In order to reach the desired exit temperature and provide that the holes were clean, fresh solvent was purged through the atomizer holes until the specified exit temperature was reached for every run. The droplets of slurry were rapidly dried at the exit of the atomizer holes due to contact with a heated cycle gas also coming in the spray drying chamber. The entering cycle gas temperature was approximately 130 °C, and the resulting exit temperature of this chamber was approximately 83 °C.
[0085] Then, cycle gas was utilized to transfer dried solid particles into a solids separating cyclone. This was a tangential entry port reverse flow cyclone, model CHE- 300 from GEA Engineering. Solids separated from the cyclone were then dropped into a container at the bottom of the cyclone. The first approximately 15 weight percent % of the dried material was discarded. The separated cycle gas from the cyclone then went into a recirculation blower and a solvent condensing tower. The tower was cooled with a constantly recirculated refrigerated oil system to approximately -15 °C. Collected solvents were discarded. Cycle gas exiting the condensing tower at approximately 0 °C was then heated to maintain the exit temperature after the spray dryer chamber. When each batch was complete, the atomizer holes were flushed again with fresh solvent. The collected supported catalyst was sampled for analysis, and then transferred to a container under an inert environment and stored with positive nitrogen pressure in refrigerated storage (-10°C).
[0086] Polymerizations were conducted with a gas phase, fluidized bed reactor (14” OD with approximately a seven (7) foot tall straight side operating at 350 psig total pressure). A recycle loop circulated approximately 12,000 Ibs / hr of gas. The recirculation loop included a centrifugal compressor and cycle gas cooler. A slip stream of recyclegas was taken from the compressor discharge and was then split, where one stream was used to purge the discharge valve and one stream was used to “disrupt" the catalyst spray zone in the bed where it was utilized as a particle agglomeration lever. The cooled gas in the recirculation loop exiting the cycle gas cooler was routed to the bottom head of the reactor where it passed through a distributor plate and then entered the bed. The bed weight was controlled to a preset value by automatic discharge cycles to a product discharge tank where monomers were purged from the polymer before the polymer was collected as product.
[0087] The slurried supported catalyst was fed via a syringe feeder where it then contacted a trim catalyst solution (including the metallocene complex of structure (IV) in isopentane fed under pressure from a mass flow meter, to make Example 3. Example 3 included a molar ratio of the phenol-oxadiazole complex of structure (I) to the metallocene complex of structure (IV of 1 .93 for polymerization 5.00, 3.39 for polymerization 6, and 0.63 for polymerization 7. Nitrogen was then used to disperse the mixture in the reactor via an injection nozzle (1 / 8 inch). A shroud (1 / 4 inch) including nitrogen and isopentane sweep surrounded the injection nozzle. An onstream cycle gas analyzer monitored gas concentration and an Advanced Process Control (APC) system was used to control the gas feed stream flow rates to maintain the desired compositions.
[0088] Comparative Example A, was made as Example 3 with the change that a post-metallocene complex of the following comparative structure:
[0089] was utilized rather than the phenol-oxadiazole complex of structure (I). Comparative Example A included 66.65 wt% of the post-metallocene complex shown above and 33.35 wt% of the metallocene complex of structure (IV).
[0090] Continuous gas-phase Polymerizations 5-8 were performed, as discussed, respectively utilizing Example 3 and Comparative Example A. Polymerization conditions and a number of properties are reported in Table 3.Table 3
[0091] The data of Table 3 illustrate that utilizing Example 3 surprisingly provided polymers with an improved, i.e. greater, I21 / I5 ratio, as compared to polymers made with Comparative Example A under similar polymerization conditions while utilizing another catalyst system that includes the metallocene complex. Providing a greater I21 / I5 ratio is advantageous for a number of applications.
[0092] The data of Table 3 illustrate that utilizing Example 3 provided polymers with an improved, i.e. greater, degree of long chain branching, due to the greater I21 / I5 ratio, as compared to polymers made with Comparative Example A.
[0093] Melt index (I2) was determined according to ASTM D 3418-08 (190 °C, 2.16 kg). Melt index (I5) was determined according to ASTM D 3418-08 (190 °C, 5 kg). Melt index (I21 )wasdetermined according to ASTM D 3418-08 (190 °C, 21 .6 k).
[0094] Density was determined by according to ASTM D792.
[0095] Melt temperature (Tm) was determined via Differential Scanning Calorimetry according to ASTM D 3418-08. In general, a scan rate of 10° C / min on a sample (10 mg) was used, and the second heating cycle was used to determine Tm.
[0096] Mw, Mn, and Mz were determined by GPC.
[0097] GPC was determined as follows.
[0098] The chromatographic system consisted of a PolymerChar GPC-IR (Valencia, Spain) high temperature GPC chromatograph equipped with an internal IR5 infra-red detector (IR5). The autosampler oven compartment was set at 165eC and the column compartment was set at 155eC. The columns used were 4 TOSOH TSK GMHHR-H (30) HT 30-micron sized, mixed pore size columns. The chromatographic solvent used was 1 ,2,4 trichlorobenzene and contained 200 ppm of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). The solvent source was nitrogen sparged. The injection volume used was 200 microliters and the flow rate was 1 .0 milliliters / minute.
[0099] Calibration of the GPC column set was performed with 21 narrow molecular weight distribution polystyrene standards with molecular weights ranging from 580 to 8,400,000 g / mol and were arranged in 6 “cocktail" mixtures with at least a decade of separation between individual molecular weights. The standards were purchased from Agilent Technologies. The polystyrene standards were prepared at 0.025 grams in 50 milliliters of solvent for molecular weights equal to or greater than 1 ,000,000, and 0.05 grams in 50 milliliters of solvent for molecular weights less than 1 ,000,000. The polystyrene standards were pre-dissolved at 80eC with gentle agitation for 30 minutes then cooled and the room temperature solution is transferred cooled into the autosampler dissolution oven at 160eC for 30 minutes. The polystyrene standard peak molecular weights were converted to polyethylene molecular weights using Equation 1 (as described in Williams and Ward, J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Let., 6, 621 (1968)).:
[0101] where M is the molecular weight, A has a value of 0.3992 and B is equal to 1.0.
[0102] A third order polynomial was used to fit the respective polyethyleneequivalent calibration points.
[0103] The total plate count of the GPC column set was performed with decane which was introduced into blank sample via a micropump controlled with the PolymerChar GPC-IR system. The plate count for the chromatographic system should be greater than 12,000 for the 4 TOSOH TSK GMHHR-H (30) HT 30-micron sized, mixed pore size columns.
[0104] Samples were prepared in a semi-automatic manner with the PolymerChar Instrument Control Software, wherein the samples were weight-targeted at 2 mg / ml, and the solvent (contained 200ppm BHT) was added to a pre nitrogen-sparged septa-capped vial, via the PolymerChar high temperature autosampler. The samples were dissolved for 3 hours at 165eC under low speed shaking.
[0105] The calculations of Mn(Gpc), MW(GPC), and MZ(GPC) were based on GPC results using the internal IR5 detector (measurement channel) of the PolymerChar GPC- IR chromatograph according to Equations 2-4, using PolymerChar GPCONE software, the baseline-subtracted IR chromatogram at each equally-spaced data collection point (i), and the polyethylene equivalent molecular weight obtained from the narrow standard calibration curve for the point (i) from Equation 1 .
[0109] To monitor the deviations over time, a flowrate marker (decane) was introduced into each sample via a micropump controlled with the PolymerChar GPC-IR system. This flowrate marker (FM) was used to linearly correct the pump flowrate (Flowrate(nominai)) for each sample by RV alignment of the respective decane peak within the sample (RV<FM sample)) to that of the decane peak within the narrow standards calibration (RV(FM calibrated)). Any changes in the time of the decane marker peak are then assumed to be related to a linear-shift in flowrate (Flowrafofeffective)) for the entire run. After calibrating the system based on a flow marker peak, the effective flowrate (with respect to the narrow standards calibration) is calculated as Equation 5. Processing of the flow marker peak was done via the PolymerChar GPCONE Software. Acceptable flowrate correction is such that the effective flowrate should be within + / -0.5% of the nominal flowrate.
[0110] Flowrate(effective) = Flowrate(nominal) * (RV(FM Calibrated) I RV(FMSample)) (EQ5).
[0111] The comonomer content (C6 wt%), e.g., 1 -hexene, incorporated in the polymers was determined by rapid FT-IR spectroscopy on the dissolved polymer in a GPC measurement. Comonomer content was determined with respect to polymer molecular weight by use of an infrared detector (an IR5 detector) in a gel permeation chromatography measurement, as described in Analytical Chemistry 2014, 86(17), 8649-8656. “Toward Absolute Chemical Composition Distribution Measurement of Polyolefins by High-Temperature Liquid Chromatography Hyphenated with Infrared Absorbance and Light Scattering Detectors” by Dean Lee, Colin Li Pi Shan, David M. Meunier, John W. Lyons, Rongjuan Cong, and A. Willem deGroot. Analytical Chemistry 2014 86 (17), 8649-8656.
Claims
What is claimed is:1 . A composition comprising: a phenol-oxadiazole complex represented by structure (I):structure (I), wherein each Ar is 2,6-Cl2Ph and R1-R6of structure (I) are each independently hydrogen, a (C-| - Cg)alkyl , fluorine (F), or trifluoromethyl (CF3); and a metallocene complex represented by structure (II):structure (II): wherein each of R1to R10are independently H, or a (C-| -C2o)alkyl with the proviso that adjacent constituents R1to R5or adjacent constituents R6to R1 0may be fused to make an indenyl ring; M is a Group 4 metal, e.g., Ti, Zr, or Hf; and each X is a leaving group.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein M is Ti, Zr, or Hf.
3. The composition of any one of claims 1 -2, wherein the phenol-oxadiazole complex is from 45 to 95 weight percent (wt%) of the composition based upon a total weight of the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex.
4. The composition of any one of claims 1 -3, wherein the c metallocene complex is represented by structure (IV):structure (IV).
5. The composition of any one of claims 1 -4, wherein R1, R2, and R4of structure (I) are each H and R2and R2of structure (I) are each t-butyl.
6. A supported catalyst system comprising: the composition of any one of claims 1 -5; an activator; and a support.
7. The supported catalyst system of claim 6, wherein a molar ratio of metal in the activator to Group 4 metal in a combination of the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex is from 3500 : 1 to 0.5 : 1 .
8. The supported catalyst system of any one of claims 6-7, wherein the support comprises silica.
9. The supported catalyst system of any one of claims 6-8, wherein the activator comprises methylaluminoxane.
10. A spray-dried catalyst made by contacting a spray-dried activator particle with a trim solution of the metallocene complex.
11. A method of making a polymer, the method comprising:contacting the supported catalyst system of any one of claims 6-9 and an olefin under polymerization conditions to make the polymer.
12. The method of claim 101 , wherein contacting the supported catalyst system and the olefin is in a gas-phase reactor.
13. A method of making the supported catalyst system of claim 6 comprising spray drying a mixture of an inert hydrocarbon solvent, the phenol-oxadiazole complex, the metallocene complex, the support, and the activator to make the supported catalyst system.
14. A method of making the supported catalyst system of claim 6 comprising: spray drying a mixture of an inert hydrocarbon solvent, the support, and the activator to make a spray-dried supported activator; and mixing the phenol-oxadiazole complex and the metallocene complex with the spray-dried supported activator and an inert hydrocarbon solvent to make the supported catalyst system.
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