Polymerized ethylene

Meier, R.J., Van Doremaele, H.J., larlori, S., Buda, F. Ab-initio molecular dynamics study of metallocene-catalysed ethylene polymerization. J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 116 (1994) 7274-7281. 

Abstract. This paper presents results from quantum molecular dynamics Simula tions applied to catalytic reactions, focusing on ethylene polymerization by metallocene catalysts. The entire reaction path could be monitored, showing the full molecular dynamics of the reaction. Detailed information on, e.g., the importance of the so-called agostic interaction could be obtained. Also presented are results of static simulations of the Car-Parrinello type, applied to orthorhombic crystalline polyethylene. These simulations for the first time led to a first principles value for the ultimate Young s modulus of a synthetic polymer with demonstrated basis set convergence, taking into account the full three-dimensional structure of the crystal. 

Yttrium is also finding application in laser systems and as a catalyst for ethylene polymerization. 

Figure 14 5 outlines a mechanism for ethylene polymerization m the presence of Cp2ZrCl2 Step 1 describes the purpose of the MAO promoter which is to transfer a methyl group to the metallocene to convert it to its catalytically active form This methyl group will be incorporated into the growing polymer chain—indeed it will be the end from which the rest of the chain grows... 

Tetrafluoroethylene of purity suitable for granular or dispersion polymerizations is acceptable for copolymerization with ethylene. Polymerization-grade ethylene is suitable for copolymerization with tetrafluoroethylene. Modifying termonomers, eg, perfluorobutylethylene and perfluoropropylene, are incorporated by free-radical polymerization. 

EinaHy, in 1976, Kaminsky and Sinn in Germany discovered a new family of catalysts for ethylene polymerization. These catalysts (ie, Kaminsky catalysts) contain two components a metallocene complex, usually a zkconocene, and an organoaluminum compound, methylaluminoxane (8,9). These catalysts and thek various later modifications enable the synthesis of ethylene copolymers with a high degree of branching uniformity. Formally classified as MDPE, LLDPE, or VLDPE, the resins thus produced have a number of properties that set them apart from common PE resins in terms of performance... 

An independent development of a high pressure polymerization technology has led to the use of molten polymer as a medium for catalytic ethylene polymerization. Some reactors previously used for free-radical ethylene polymerization at a high pressure (see Olefin polymers, low density polyethylene) have been converted to accommodate catalytic polymerization, both stirred-tank and tubular autoclaves operating at 30—200 MPa (4,500—30,000 psig) and 170—350°C (57,83,84). CdF Chimie uses a three-zone high pressure autoclave at zone temperatures of 215, 250, and 260°C (85). Residence times in all these reactors are short, typically less than one minute. 

Zirconium—ally complexes also have catalytic properties. Tetraally zirconium [12090-34-5] on a siUca substrate catalyzes ethylene polymerization (265). Supported on sihca, ZrR (R = allyl or neopentyl) catalyzes olefin isomerization (266). 

In all of the ethylene polymerization processes, the catalyst is sensitive to feed impurities and is poisoned by most polar compounds. Many of the properties of the polymer are determined by polymerization conditions, but catalyst composition and condition are critical determinants as well. 

A more recent development in ethylene polymerization is the simplified low pressure LDPE process. The pressure range is 0.7—2.1 MPa with temperatures less than 100°C. The reaction takes place in the gas phase instead of Hquid phase as in the conventional LDPE technology. These new technologies demand ultra high purity ethylene. 

The final step in the What IF analysis is reporting the results in a syslcmalic and easily understood formal. An c.xantple of a conimon formal is provided in Table 15.5.1, which includes the question, their consequences, and recommendations. An ethylene polymerization process is used to dernonslrale the format for a What If analysis. 

TABLE 15.5,1 What If Analysis on the Ethylene Polymerization Reactor... 

The first example of homogeneous transition metal catalysis in an ionic liquid was the platinum-catalyzed hydroformylation of ethene in tetraethylammonium trichlorostannate (mp. 78 °C), described by Parshall in 1972 (Scheme 5.2-1, a)) [1]. In 1987, Knifton reported the ruthenium- and cobalt-catalyzed hydroformylation of internal and terminal alkenes in molten [Bu4P]Br, a salt that falls under the now accepted definition for an ionic liquid (see Scheme 5.2-1, b)) [2]. The first applications of room-temperature ionic liquids in homogeneous transition metal catalysis were described in 1990 by Chauvin et al. and by Wilkes et ak. Wilkes et al. used weekly acidic chloroaluminate melts and studied ethylene polymerization in them with Ziegler-Natta catalysts (Scheme 5.2-1, c)) [3]. Chauvin s group dissolved nickel catalysts in weakly acidic chloroaluminate melts and investigated the resulting ionic catalyst solutions for the dimerization of propene (Scheme 5.2-1, d)) [4]. 

Deliberate addition of alpha-olefin comonomer in an ethylene polymerization reactor leads to the formation... 

A monomer is a reactive molecule that has at least one functional group (e.g. -OH, -COOH, -NH2, -C=C-). Monomers may add to themselves as in the case of ethylene or may react with other monomers having different functionalities. A monomer initiated or catalyzed with a specific catalyst polymerizes and forms a macromolecule—a polymer. For example, ethylene polymerized in presence of a coordination catalyst produces a linear homopolymer (linear polyethylene) ... 

Addition polymerization is employed primarily with substituted or unsuhstituted olefins and conjugated diolefins. Addition polymerization initiators are free radicals, anions, cations, and coordination compounds. In addition polymerization, a chain grows simply hy adding monomer molecules to a propagating chain. The first step is to add a free radical, a cationic or an anionic initiator (I ) to the monomer. For example, in ethylene polymerization (with a special catalyst), the chain grows hy attaching the ethylene units one after another until the polymer terminates. This type of addition produces a linear polymer ... 

Conjugated dienes can be polymerized just as simple alkenes can (Section 7.10). Diene polymers are structurally more complex than simple alkene polymers, though, because double bonds remain every four carbon atoms along the chain, leading to the possibility of cis-trans isomers. The initiator (In) for the reaction can be either a radical, as occurs in ethylene polymerization, or an acid. Note that the polymerization is a 1,4-addition of the growing chain to a conjugated diene monomer. 

The shape of the kinetic curves depends on the catalyst type and polymerization conditions (ethylene pressure, temperature, concentration of inhibitors in reaction medium) (89, 97, 98). The types of the kinetic curves obtained. at ethylene polymerization under various conditions are presented in Fig. 1. 

Fig. 1. Examples of the kinetic curves during ethylene polymerization by chromium oxide catalysts. Support—SiOs temperature—80°C polymerization at constant ethylene pressure in perfect mixing reactor. Curve 1—catalyst reduced by CO at 300°C. Curve 2— catalyst activated in vacuum (400°C) polymerization in the case of (1) and (2) in solvent (heptane) ethylene pressure 10 kg/cm2 02 content in ethylene 1 ppm, HsO 3 ppm. Curves 3, 4, 5, 6—catalyst activated in vacuum (400°C) polymerization without solvent ethylene pressure 19 (curve 3), 13 (curve 4), 4 (curve 5), and 2 (curve 6) kg/cm2 02 content in ethylene 1 ppm, HsO = 12 ppm.

In several papers (51, 84, 96, 104) the decrease of the polymerization rate with time was assumed to be caused by the decrease of C as a result of diffusional restrictions due to the formation of a polymer film on the catalyst surface. However, as a matter of experience in work with heterogeneous catalysts for ethylene polymerization, it is known that even for polymerization with no solvent, the formation of a solid polymer is possible at high rates (thousands of grams of polymer per gram of catalyst per hour) that are constant until large yields are reached (tens of kilograms of polymer per gram of catalyst). 

For the analysis of the role of monomer diffusion during ethylene polymerization while forming a solid polymer a model of the polymer grain (see Fig. 2) has been suggested (95). This model is consistent with the results of the study of nascent morphology of the polymer and its porosity (95, 100, 103). According to this model three levels are considered in the analysis of transport phenomena. 

The change of shape of the kinetic curves with monomer and inhibitor concentration at ethylene polymerization by chromium oxide catalysts may be satisfactory described 115) by the kinetic model based on reactions (8)-(14). 

General Daia on Ethylene Polymerization in the Presence of Individual Organometcdlic Compounds... 

The ethylene polymerization was observed (9a) also in the presence of c-organometallic compounds of titanium and zirconium, containing such ligands as -CH i(CH3) , -CH(C H6)Si(CH3)3, -CH2C(CH3)3,... 

CHfrSiCH , and -CH2OCH3. Tetrakis-component catalyst for ethylene polymerization after activation by exposure to light. 

According to Demin et al. (125, 126) the steady-state polymerization of ethylene occurs at 5-70°C in the presence of Cr(7r-C3H6)3 and Zr (tt-CsHs) 4. In Ballard et al. (123) the induction period at ethylene polymerization using Zr (7r-C3H6)4 was observed the introduction of hydrogen... 

Recently some information became available on a new type of highly active one-component ethylene polymerization catalyst. This catalyst is prepared by supporting organometallic compounds of transition metals containing different types of organic ligands [e.g. benzyl compounds of titanium and zirconium 9a, 132), 7r-allyl compounds of various transition metals 8, 9a, 133), 7r-arene 134, 185) and 71-cyclopentadienyl 9, 136) complexes of chromium]. 

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