Abstract
Summary: Facile and effective immobilization of late‐transition metal catalysts, 2,3‐bis‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)butane diimine nickel(ii) dibromide (A) and 2,6‐bis‐[1‐(2,4,6‐trimethylphenylimino)ethyl]pyridine iron(ii) dichloride (B), for ethylene polymerization has been achieved, using spherical MgCl~2~ supports obtained by thermal dealcoholization of MgCl~2~ · __2.56__C~2~H~5~OH instead of using supports of type MgCl~2~/AlR~n~(OEt)~3−n~. BET, XRD, IR, SEM, GPC, and DSC analyses indicate that the composition and structure of the supports, the activities of the supported catalysts, and the properties of the resultant polymers are strongly dependent on the dealcoholization temperature. The support SP‐3 obtained by treating MgCl~2~ · __2.56__C~2~H~5~OH at 170 °C for 4 h is very effective for immobilizing late‐transition metal Fe^II^ and Ni^II^ catalysts. Compared with the corresponding unsupported homogeneous catalysts, a significant increase in activity is observed for the SP‐3 supported catalysts in ethylene polymerization, and the kinetics of polymerization is stable during the reaction process. In addition, replication of the support morphology is found in final polymers.
Kinetic profiles of ethylene polymerization using SPC‐4, SPC‐5, and SPC‐6 under 1.0 MPa and at 70 °C.
imageKinetic profiles of ethylene polymerization using SPC‐4, SPC‐5, and SPC‐6 under 1.0 MPa and at 70 °C.