Carboxylate Metal Complex for Stable Olefin Polymerization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional late transition metal catalysts for olefin polymerization suffer from instability, leading to low polymerization activity and industrial challenges due to decomposition by impurities and thermal instability.
Innovation Solution
A stable metal complex of group 10 elements with all coordinating atoms being heteroatoms, specifically a carboxylate metal complex represented by certain formulas, is developed for olefin polymerization, which maintains stability and polymerization activity over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional late transition metal catalysts are used for olefin polymerization, then polymerization activity can be achieved, but the catalyst stability deteriorates due to decomposition by impurities and thermal instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the catalyst system by introducing a carboxylate ligand with specific structural features (R1, R2, R3, Y groups) to nickel or palladium center. This parameter change transforms the catalyst from being susceptible to decomposition into a stable complex that resists impurities while maintaining polymerization activity through the specific electronic and steric properties of the carboxylate ligand.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite catalyst system by combining group 10 metal center with a specifically designed carboxylate ligand system containing phosphorous or arsenic atoms. This composite structure integrates the metal's catalytic activity with the ligand's stabilizing effect, achieving both reliability and productivity simultaneously.
2Productivity
If metal-hydride complexes are used as catalysts, then polymerization can be initiated, but thermal stability deteriorates leading to low polymerization activity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the stable carboxylate metal complex before polymerization. Unlike in-situ generated metal-hydride complexes that decompose thermally, this pre-formed complex possesses inherent thermal stability due to the carboxylate ligand structure, allowing it to maintain polymerization activity at elevated temperatures without decomposition.
3Productivity
If metal-alkyl complexes are used as catalysts, then polymerization activity is improved, but stability deteriorates due to decomposition by impurities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent effectively replaces the unstable metal-alkyl complex (which decomposes by impurities) with a more robust carboxylate metal complex. The carboxylate ligand acts as a protective structure that prevents impurity-induced decomposition while allowing the catalyst to maintain high polymerization activity throughout the reaction process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The novel metal complex enables long-term stable olefin homopolymerization and copolymerization, improving polymerization activity and resistance to impurities, thus addressing the stability issues of conventional catalysts.
Implementation Method 1
a catalyst mainly comprising the metal complex for olefin polymerization
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a metal complex of group 10 elements of the periodic table having a carboxylate structure represented by formula (C2); a catalyst for polymerization of olefin mainly comprising the metal complex; and a method for producing polymers by homopolymerizing olefin represented by formula (1), polymerizing two or more kinds of the above olefin, or copolymerizing olefin represented by formula (1) with polar group-containing olefin represented by formula (2) (the meaning of the symbols are as set forth in the description) using the catalyst. A metal complex of group 10 elements of the periodic table, in which all of the coordinating atoms to the metal are a hetero atom is stable and useful as a catalyst component for olefin polymerization, and can be used for a long time in homopolymerization of olefin or copolymerization of two or more kinds of olefin.