Research & Teaching Faculty

Titanium amidate complexes as active catalysts for the synthesis of high molecular weight polyethylene

TitleTitanium amidate complexes as active catalysts for the synthesis of high molecular weight polyethylene
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsHorrillo-Martinez, P, Leitch, DC, Ryken, SA, Thomson, RK, J. Beard, D, Patrick, BO, Schafer, LL, Giesbrecht, GR
JournalCanadian Journal of Chemistry
Volume93
Pagination775-783
Date PublishedJUL
ISSN0008-4042
Abstract

A series of titanium and zirconium bis(amidate) complexes of the type L2MX2, where L is an amidate ligand, and X is either -NMe2 or -Cl, were prepared in 60%-83% yield and fully characterized. Multiple binding motifs are observed as the amidate ligand can bind in kappa(1)- and kappa(2)-modes. These complexes were then subjected to screening the catalytic polymerization of ethylene. All catalysts, after reaction with suitable co-catalyst, were functional for ethylene polymerization, though not for the copolymerization of ethylene and longer linear 1-alkenes. Polyethylene was formed in the range of 1000-4000 kDa, and with PDI values as low as 1.3. These long polymeric chains are considered as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).

DOI10.1139/cjc-2015-0081