Intercalation of catalytically active metal complexes in phyllosilicates and their application as propene polymerisation catalysts

Abstract

The cationic Ziegler–Natta polymerisation catalyst [Zr(η-C₅H₅Me(thf)]⁺, is intercalated in a synthetic fluorinated mica-type silicate (NaMg_2.5Si₄O₁₀F₂) and the modified, swelling synthetic hectorite [LaponiteRD, Na_0.46Mg_5.42Li_0.46Si₈(OH)₄O₂₀], by ion-exchange of [Zr(η-C₅H₅Me(thf)]⁺ ions with the interlamellar cations of the layered silicates; in the presence of methylaumoxane {MAO, (MeAlO)_n} these organometallic intercalation compounds are active catalysts for the polymerisation of propone giving low molecular mass atactic polypropylene with a narrow molecular mass distribution.