The present invention relates to novel metallocenes which contain ligands of 2-substituted indenyl derivatives and can very advantageously be used as catalysts in the preparation of polyolefins of high melting point (high isotacticity).

Polyolefins of relatively high melting point and thus relatively high crystallinity and relatively high hardness are particularly important as engineering materials (for example large hollow articles, tubes and moldings).

Chiral metallocenes are, in combination with aluminoxanes, active, stereospecific catalysts for the preparation of polyolefins (U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,510). These metallocenes also include substituted indene compounds. Thus, for example, the use of the ethylenebis(4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1-indenyl)zirconium dichloride/aluminoxane catalyst system is known for the preparation of isotactic polypropylene; cf. EP-A 185 918). Both this and numerous other polymerization processes coming under the prior art have, in particular, the disadvantage that, at industrially interesting polymerization temperatures, only polymers of relatively low melting points are obtained. Their crystallinity and thus their hardness are too low for use as engineering materials.

Surprisingly, it has now been found that metallocenes which contain, as ligands, certain 2-substituted indenyl derivatives are suitable catalysts for the preparation of polyolefins of high isotacticity (melting point) and narrow molecular weight distribution.

The present invention therefore provides the compounds of the formula I below

in which

M¹ is a metal from group IVb, Vb or VIb of the Periodic Table,

R¹ and R² are identical or different and are a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₁₀-alkyl group, a C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy group, a C₆-C₁₀-aryl group, a C₆-C₁₀-aryloxy group, a C₂-C₁₀-alkenyl group, a C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl group, a C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl group, a C₈-C₄₀-arylalkenyl group or a halogen atom,

R³ and R⁴ are identical or different and are a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C₁-C₁₀-alkyl group, which may be halogenated, a C₆-C₁₀-aryl group, an —NR₂ ¹⁵, —SR¹⁵, —OSiR₃ ¹⁵, —SiR₃ ¹⁵ or —PR₂ ¹⁵ radical in which R¹⁵ is a halogen atom, a C₁-C₁₀-alkyl group or a C₆-C₁₀-aryl group,

R⁵ and R⁶ are identical or different and are as defined for R³ and R⁴, with the proviso that R⁵ and R⁶ are not hydrogen,

R⁷ is

where

R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³ are identical or different and are a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C₁-C₁₀-alkyl group, a C₁-C₁₀-fluoroalkyl group, a C₆-C₁₀-aryl group, a C₆-C₁₀-fluoroaryl group, a C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy group, a C₂-C₁₀-alkenyl group, a C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl group, a C₈-C₄₀-arylalkenyl group or a C₇-C₄₀-alkylaryl group, or R¹¹ and R¹² or R¹¹ and R¹³, in each case with the atoms connecting them, form a ring,

M² is silicon, germanium or tin,

R⁸ and R⁹ are identical or different and are as defined for R¹¹,

m and n are identical or different and are zero, 1 or 2, m plus n being zero, 1 or 2, and,

the radicals R¹⁰ are identical or different and are as defined for R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³.

Alkyl is straight-chain or branched alkyl. Halogen (halogenated) is fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, preferably fluorine or chlorine.

In the formula I, M¹ is a metal from group IVb, Vb or VIb of the Periodic Table, for example titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum or tungsten, preferably zirconium, hafnium or titanium.

R¹ and R² are identical or different and are a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₁₀-, preferably C₁-C₃-alkyl group, a C₁-C₁₀-, preferably C₁-C₃-alkoxy group, a C₆-C₁₀-, preferably C₆-C₈-aryl group, a C₆-C₁₀-, preferably C₆-C₈-aryloxy group, a C₂-C₁₀-, preferably C₂-C₄-alkenyl group, a C₇-C₄₀, preferably C₇-C₁₀-arylalkyl group, a C₇-C₄₀-, preferably C₇-C₁₂-alkylaryl group, a C₈-C₄₀-, preferably C₈-C₁₂-arylalkenyl group or a halogen atom, preferably chlorine.

R³ and R⁴ are identical or different and are a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, preferably a fluorine, chlorine or bromine atom, a C₁-C₁₀-, preferably C₁-C₄-alkyl group, which may be halogenated, a C₆-C₁₀-, preferably C₆-C₈-aryl group, an —NR₂ ¹⁵, —SR¹⁵, —OSiR₃ ¹⁵, —SiR₃ ¹⁵ or —PR₂ ¹⁵ radical in which R¹⁵ is a halogen atom, preferably a chlorine atom, or a C₁-C₁₀-, preferably C₁-C₃-alkyl group or a C₆-C₁₀-, preferably C₆-C₈-aryl group. R³ and R⁴ are particularly preferably hydrogen.

R⁵ and R⁶ are identical or different, preferably identical, and are as defined for R³ and R⁴, with the proviso that R⁵ and R⁶ cannot be hydrogen. R⁵ and R⁶ are preferably (C₁-C₄)-alkyl which may be halogenated, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl or trifluoromethyl, in particular methyl.

R⁷ is

where R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³ are identical or different and are a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C₁-C₁₀-, preferably C₁-C₄-alkyl group, in particular a methyl group, a C₁-C₁₀-fluoroalkyl group, preferably a CF₃ group, a C₆-C₁₀-, preferably C₆-C₈-aryl group, a C₆-C₁₀-fluoroaryl group, preferably a pentafluorophenyl group, a C₁-C₁₀-, preferably C₁-C₄-alkoxy group, in particular a methoxy group, a C₂-C₁₀-, preferably C₂-C₄-alkenyl group, a C₇-C₄₀-, preferably C₇-C₁₀-arylalkyl group, a C₈-C₄₀-, preferably C₈-C₁₂-arylalkenyl group or a C₇-C₄₀-, preferably C₇-C₁₂-alkylaryl group, or R¹¹ and R¹² or R¹¹ and R¹³, in each case together with the atoms connecting them, form a ring.

M² is silicon, germanium or tin, preferably silicon or germanium.

R⁷ is preferably ═CR¹¹R¹², ═SiR¹¹R¹², ═GeR¹¹R¹², —O—, —S—, ═SO, ═PR¹¹ or ═P(O)R¹¹.

R⁸ and R⁹ are identical or different and are as define as for R¹¹.

m and n are identical or different and are zero, 1 or 2, preferably zero or 1, where m plus n is zero, 1 or 2, preferably zero or 1.

The radicals R¹⁰ are identical or different and are as defined for R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³. The radicals R¹⁰ are preferably hydrogen atoms or C₁-C₁₀, preferably C₁-C₄-alkyl groups.

The particularly preferred metallocenes are thus those in which, in the formula I, M¹ is Zr or Hf, R¹ and R² are identical or different and are methyl or chlorine, R³ and R⁴ are hydrogen, R⁵ and R⁶ are identical or different and are methyl, ethyl or trifluoromethyl, R⁷ is

radical, n plus m is zero or 1, and R¹⁰ is hydrogen; in particular the compounds I listed in the working examples.

Of the metallocenes I mentioned in the working examples, rac-dimethylsilyl(2-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1-indenyl)₂zirconium dichloride, rac-ethylene(2-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1-indenyl)₂zirconium dichloride, racdimethylsilyl(2-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1-indenyl)₂dimethylzirconium and rac-ethylene(2-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1-indenyl)₂dimethylzirconium are particularly important.

The chiral metallocenes are employed as racemates for the preparation of highly isotactic poly-1-olefins. However, it is also possible to use the pure R- or S-form. These pure stereoisomeric forms allow the preparation of an optically active polymer. However, the meso form of the metallocenes should be separated off since the polymerization-active center (the metal atom) in these compounds is no longer chiral due to mirror symmetry at the central metal, and it is therefore not possible to produce a highly isotactic polymer.

The principle of resolution of the stereoisomers is known.

The present invention furthermore provides a process for the preparation of the metallocenes I, which comprises

a) reacting a compound of the formula II

in which R³-R¹⁰, m and n are defined in the formula I and M³ is an alkali metal, preferably lithium, with a compound of the formula III

M¹X₄   (III)

in which M³ is a defined in the formula I, and X is a halogen atom, preferably chlorine, and catalytically hydrogenating the reaction product, or

b) reacting a compound of the formula IIa

with a compound of the formula III

M¹X₄   (III)

in which all the substituents are as defined under a), and, if desired, derivatizing the reaction product obtained under a) or b).

The synthesis is carried out under a protective gas and in anhydrous solvents. The dried salt of the formula III/IIa is added to a suspension of the compound of the formula III in a solvent such as toluene, n-hexane, di-chloromethane, ether, THF, n-pentane or benzene, preferably dichloromethane or toluene. The reaction temperature is from −78° C. to 30° C., preferably from −40° C. to 10° C. The reaction duration is from 0.25 to 24 hours, preferably from 1 to 4 hours.

A further embodiment of the process according to the invention comprises replacing the compound III, M¹X₄, by a compound of the formula IIIa, M¹X₄L₂. In this formula, L is a donor ligand. Examples of suitable donor ligands are tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, dimethyl ether, inter alia, preferably tetrahydrofuran (THF).

In this case, a solution of the salt of the formula II/IIa in one of the abovementioned solvents is added to a solution or suspension of a compound of the formula IIIa in a solvent such as toluene, xylene, ether or THF, preferably THF. However, an alternative procedure is to simultaneously add both components dropwise to a solvent. This is the preferred procedure. The reaction temperature is from −40° C. to 100° C., preferably from 0° C. to 50° C., in particular from 10° C. to 35° C. The reaction duration is from 0.25 hour to 48 hours, preferably from 1 hour to 24 hours, in particular from 2 hours to 9 hours.

The hydrogenation is carried out in a dry, anhydrous solvent such as H₂CCl₂ or glyme. The reaction temperature is 20° to 70° C., preferably from ambient temperature to 50° C., the pressure is from 5 to 200 bar, preferably from 20 to 120 bar, in particular from 35 to 100 bar, and the reaction duration is from 0.25 to 24 hours, preferably from 0.5 to 18 hours, in particular from 1 to 12 hours. Hydrogenation reactors which can be used are steel autoclaves. The hydrogenation catalyst used is platinum, platinum oxide, palladium or another conventional transition-metal catalyst.

The halogen derivatives obtained in this way can be converted into the alkyl, aryl or alkenyl complexes by known standard methods.

The compounds of the formulae II and IIa are synthesized by deprotonation. This reaction is known; cf. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 112 (1990) 2030-2031, ibid. 110 (1988) 6255-6256, ibid. 109 (1987), 6544-6545, J. Organomet. Chem., 322 (1987) 6570, New. J. Chem. 14 (1990) 499-503 and the working examples.

The synthesis of the protonated forms of the compounds of these formulae has also been described, with the difference that they are not correspondingly substituted in the α- and β-positions (Bull. Soc. Chim., 1967, 2954). The bridging units required for their synthesis are generally commercially available, but the indenyl compounds required, by contrast, are not. Some literature references containing synthesis procedures are indicated; the procedure for indene derivatives which are not mentioned is analogous: J. Org. Chem., 49 (1984) 4226-4237, J. Chem. Soc., Perkin II, 1981, 403-408, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 106 (1984) 6702, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 65 (1943) 567, J. Med. Chem., 30 (1987) 1303-1308, Chem. Ber. 85 (1952) 78-85 and the working examples.

The metallocenes I can thus in principle be prepared in accordance with the reaction scheme below:

The cocatalyst used according to the invention in the polymerization of olefins is an aluminoxane of the formula (IV)

for the linear type and/or of the formula (V)

for the cyclic type, where, in the formulae (IV) and (V), the radicals R may be identical or different and are a C₁-C₆-alkyl group, a C₆-C₁₈-aryl group or hydrogen, and p is an integer from 2 to 50, preferably from 10 to 35.

The radicals R are preferably identical and are methyl, isobutyl, phenyl or benzyl, particularly preferably methyl.

If the radicals R are different, they are preferably methyl and hydrogen or alternatively methyl and isobutyl, preferably from 0.01 to 40% (of the number of radicals R) being hydrogen or isobutyl.

The aluminoxane can be prepared in different ways by known processes. One of the methods is, for example, the reaction of an aluminum-hydrocarbon compound and/or a hydridoaluminum-hydrocarbon compound with water (gaseous, solid, liquid or bound—for example as water of crystallization) in an inert solvent (such as, for example, toluene). In order to prepare an aluminoxane containing different alkyl groups R, two different trialkylaluminum compounds (AlR₃+AlR′₃) in accordance with the desired composition are reacted with water (cf. S. Pasynkiewicz, Polyhedron 9 (1990) 429 and EP-A 302 424).

The precise structure of the aluminoxanes IV and V is not known.

Irrespective of the preparation method, a varying content of unreacted aluminum starting compound, in free form or as an adduct, is common to all the aluminoxane solutions.

It is possible to preactivate the metallocene I using an aluminoxane of the formula (IV) and/or (V) before use in the polymerization reaction. This considerably increases the polymerization activity and improves the particle morphology.

The preactivation of the transition-metal compound is carried out in solution. The metallocene is preferably dissolved in a solution of the aluminoxane in an inert hydrocarbon. Suitable inert hydrocarbons are aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons. Toluene is preferred.

The concentration of the aluminoxane in the solution is in the range from about 1% by weight up to the saturation limit, preferably from 5 to 30% by weight, in each case based on the entire solution. The metallocene can be employed in the same concentration, but is preferably employed in an amount of from 10⁻⁴−1 mol per mole of aluminoxane. The preactivation time is from 5 minutes to 60 hours, preferably from 5 to 60 minutes. The preactivation temperature is from −78° C. to 100° C., preferably from 0 to 70° C.

The metallocene can also be prepolymerized or applied to a support. The prepolymerization is preferably carried out using the olefin (or one of the olefin) employed in the polymerization.

Examples of suitable supports are silica gels, aluminum oxides, solid aluminoxane or other inorganic support materials. Another suitable support material is a polyolefin powder in finely divided form.

A further possible variation of the process comprises using a salt-like compound of the formula R_xNH_4−xBR′₄ or of the formula R₃PHBR′₄ as cocatalyst instead of or in addition to an aluminoxane. x here is 1, 2 or 3, the R radicals are identical or different and are alkyl or aryl, and R′ is aryl, which may also be fluorinated or partially fluorinated. In this case, the catalyst comprises the product of the reaction of a metallocene with one of said compounds (cf. EP-A 277 004).

The polymerization or copolymerization is carried out in a known manner in solution, in suspension or in the gas phase, continuously or batchwise, in one or more steps, at a temperature of from 0° to 150° C., preferably from 30° to 80° C. Olefins of the formula R^a—CH═CH—R^b are polymerized or copolymerized. In this formula, R^a and R^b are identical or different and are a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical having 1 to 14 carbon atoms.

However, R^a and R^b, together with the carbon atoms connecting them, may also form a ring. Examples of such olefins are ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-octene, norbornene or norbornadiene. In particular, propylene and ethylene are polymerized.

The molecular weight regulator added, if necessary, is hydrogen. The overall pressure in the polymerization system is from 0.5 to 100 bar. The polymerization is preferably carried out in the industrially particularly interesting pressure range of from 5 to 64 bar.

The metallocene is used in a concentration, based on the transition metal, of from 10⁻³ to 10⁻⁸, preferably from 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻⁷ mol of transition metal per dm³ of solvent or per dm³ of reactor volume. The aluminoxane is used in a concentration of from 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻¹ mol, preferably from 10⁻⁴ to 10² mol, per dm³ of solvent or per dm³ of reactor volume. In principle, however, higher concentrations are also possible.

If the polymerization is carried out as a suspension or solution polymerization, an inert solvent which is customary for the Ziegler low-pressure process is used. For example, the polymerization is carried out in an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon; examples of these which may be mentioned are butane, pentane, hexane, heptane, isooctane, cyclohexane and methylcyclohexane.

It is also possible to use a petroleum ether or hydrogenated diesel oil fraction. Toluene can also be used.

The polymerization is preferably carried out in the liquid monomer.

If inert solvents are used, the monomers are metered in in gaseous or liquid form.

The polymerization can have any desired duration since the catalyst system to be used according to the invention exhibits only a low time-dependent drop in polymerization activity.

The process is distinguished by the fact that the metallocenes according to the invention give, in the industrially interesting temperature range of between 30° and 80° C., polymers of high molecular weight, high stereospecificity, narrow molecular weight dispersity and, in particular, high melting point, which is to say high crystallinity and high hardness.

The examples below are intended to illustrate the invention in greater detail.

The following abbreviations are used:

VN =	viscosity number in cm3/g
Mw =	weight average molecular weight	determined by gel
Mw/Mn =	molecular weight dispersity	permeation chro-
		matography
II =	isotactic index (II = mm + ½ mr),
	determined by 13C-NMR spectroscopy
niso =	length of the isotactic blocks
	(in propylen units)
	(niso = 1 + 2 mm/mr),
	determined by 13C-NMR
	spectroscopy

The melting points and heats of melting Δ H_melt were determined using DSC (heating and cooling rate 20° C./min).

Synthesis of the starting substances

I) Synthesis of 2-Me-indene

110.45 g (0.836 mol) of 2-indanone were dissolved in 500 ml of diethyl ether, and 290 cm³ of 3N (0.87 mol) ethereal methylGrignard solution were added dropwise at such a rate that the mixture refluxed gently. After the mixture had boiled for 2 hours under gentle reflux, it was transferred onto an ice/hydrochloric acid mixture, and a pH of 2-3 was established using ammonium chloride. The organic phase was separated off, washed with NaHCO₃ and sodium chloride solution and dried, giving 98 g of crude product (2-hydroxy-2-methylindane), which was not purified further.

This product was dissolved in 500 cm³ of toluene, 3 g of p-toluenesulfonic acid were added, and the mixture was heated on a water separator until the elimination of water was complete, and was evaporated, the residue was taken up in dichloromethane, the dichloromethane solution was filtered through silica gel, and the filtrate was distilled in vacuo (80° C./10 mbar).

Yield: 28.49 g (0.22 mol/26%).

The synthesis of this compound is also described in: C. F. Koelsch, P. R. Johnson, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 65 (1943) 567-573.

II) Synthesis of (2-Me-indene)₂SiMe₂

13 g (100 mmol) of 2-Me-indene were dissolved in 400 cm³ of diethyl ether, and 62.5 cm³ of 1.6N (100 mmol) n-butyllithium/n-hexane solution were added dropwise over the course of 1 hour with ice cooling, and the mixture was then stirred at ˜35° C. for a further 1 hour.

6.1 cm³ (50 mmol) of dimethyldichlorosilane were introduced into 50 cm³ of Et₂O, and the lithio salt solution was added dropwise at 0° C. over the course of 5 hours, the mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature and left to stand over the weekend.

The solid which had deposited was filtered off, and the filtrate was evaporated to dryness. The product was extracted using small portions of n-hexane, and the extracts were filtered and evaporated, giving 5.7 g (18.00 mmol) of white crystals. The mother liquor was evaporated, and the residue was then purified by column chromatography (n-hexane/H₂CCl₂ 9:1 by volume), giving a further 2.5 g (7.9 mmol/52%) of product (as an isomer mixture).

R_f(SiO₂; n-hexane/H₂CCl₂ 9:1 by volume)=0.37.

The ¹H-NMR spectrum exhibits the signals expected for an isomer mixture with respect to shift and integration ratio.

III) Synthesis of (2-Me-Ind)₂CH₂CH₂

3 g (23 mmol) of 2-Me-indene were dissolved in 50 cm³ of THF, 14.4 cm³ of 1.6N (23.04 mmol) n-butyllithium/n-hexane solution were added dropwise, and the mixture was then stirred at 65° C. for 1 hour. 1 cm³ (11.5 mmol) of 1,2-dibromoethane was then added at −78° C., and the mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and was stirred for 5 hours. The mixture was evaporated, and the residue was purified by column chromatography (SiO₂; n-hexane/H₂CCl₂ 9:1 by volume).

The fractions containing the product were combined and evaporated, the residue was taken up in dry ether, the solution was dried over MgSO₄ and filtered, and the solvent was stripped off.

Yield: 1.6 g (5.59 mmol/49%) of isomer mixture R_f (SiO₂; n-hexane/H₂CCl₂ 9:1 by volume)=0.46.

The ¹H-NMR spectrum corresponds to expectations for an isomer mixture in signal shift and integration.

Synthesis of the metallocenes I

IV) rac-Dimethysilyl(2-Me-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1-indenyl)₂zirconium dichloride

a. Synthesis of the precursor rac-dimethylsilyl(2-Me-1-indenyl)₂zirconium dichloride

1.68 g (5.31 mmol) of the chelate ligand dimethylsilyl(2-methylindene)₂ were introduced into 50 cm³ of THF, and 6.63 cm³ of a 1.6N (10.61 mmol) n-BuLi/n-hexane solution were added dropwise at ambient temperature over the course of 0.5 hour. The mixture was stirred for 2 hours at about 35° C., the solvent was stripped off in vacuo, and the residue was stirred with n-pentane, filtered off and dried.

The dilithio salt obtained in this way was added at −78° C. to a suspension of 1.24 g (5.32 mmol) of ZrCl in 50 cm³ of CH₂Cl₂, and the mixture was stirred at this temperature for 3 hours. The mixture was then warmed to room temperature overnight and evaporated. The ¹H-NMR spectrum showed, in addition to the presence of some ZrCl₄(thf)₂, a rac/meso mixture. After stirring with n-pentane and drying, the solid, yellow residue was suspended in THF, filtered off and examined by NMR spectroscopy. These three working steps were repeated a number of times; finally, 0.35 g (0.73 mmol/14%) of product was obtained in which the rac form, according to ¹H-NMR, was enriched to more than 17:1.

The compound exhibited a correct elemental analysis and the following NMR signals (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ=1.25 (s, 6H, Si-Me); 2.18 (s, 6H, 2-Me), 6.8 (s, 2H, 3-H-Ind); 6.92-7.75 (m, 8H, 4-7-H-Ind).

b. Synthesis of the end product

0.56 g (1.17 mmol) of the precursor rac-dimethylsilyl(2-Me-1-indenyl)₂zirconium dichloride were dissolved in 70 cm³ of CH₂Cl₂ and the solution was introduced, together with 40 mg of PtO₂, into a 200 cm³ NOVA stirred autoclave. The mixture was then stirred at room temperature for 4 hours under an H₂pressure of 40 bar. The filtrate was evaporated, the residue was washed with toluene/n-hexane (1:2 by volume), filtered and evaporated. N-pentane was added, and the suspension obtained was filtered off and dried. The yield was 0.34 g (0.7 mmol/60%). The ¹H-NMR spectrum (CD₂Cl₂, 100 MHz) showed the following signals:

δ=0.90 (s, 6H, Me-Si); 1.43-1.93 (m, 8H, indenyl-H); 2.10 (s, 6H, 2-Me); 2.44-3.37 (m, 8H, indenyl-H); 6.05 (s, 2H, 3-H-Ind).

V) Synthesis of rac-ethylene(2-Me-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrol-indenyl)₂zirconium dichloride

a. Synthesis of the precursor rac-ethylene(2-Me-1-indenyl)₂zirconium dichloride

14.2 cm³ of 2.5N (35.4 mmol) n-BuLi/n-hexane solution were added dropwise over the course of 1 hour at room temperature to 5.07 g (17.7 mmol) of the ligand ethylene(2-methylindene)₂ in 200 cm³ of THF, and the mixture was then stirred at about 50° C. for 3 hours. A precipitate which formed temporarily dissolved again. The mixture was left to stand overnight.

6.68 g (17.7 mmol) of ZrCl₄thf)₂ in 250 cm³ of THF were added dropwise, simultaneously with the above dilithio salt solution, to about 50 cm³ of THF at 50° C., and the mixture was then stirred at this temperature for 20 hours. The toluene extract of the evaporation residue was evaporated. The residue was extracted with a little THF, and the product was recrystallized from toluene, giving 0.44 g (0.99 mmol/5.6%) of product in which the rac form was enriched to more than 15:1.

The compound exhibited a correct elemental analysis and the following NMR signals (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ=2.08 (2s, 6H, 2-Me); 3.45-4.18 (m, 4H, —CH₂CH₂—); 6.65 (2H, 3-H-Ind); 7.05-7.85 (m, 8H, 4-7-H-Ind).

b. Synthesis of the end product

56 g (1.25 mmol) of rac-ethylene(2-Me-1-indenyl)₂zirconium dichloride was dissolved in 50 cm³ of CH₂Cl₂, and the solution was introduced, together with 40 mg of PtO₂, into a 200 cm³ NOVA stirred autoclave. The mixture was then stirred at room temperature for 2 hours under an H₂ pressure of 40 bar and evaporated to dryness, and the residue was sublimed in a high vacuum at a bath temperature of about 100° C., giving 0.46 g (1.01 mmol/81%) of product. The elemental analysis was correct, and the ¹H-NMR spectrum showed the following signals: δ=1.46-1.92 (m, 8H, indenyl-H), 2.14 (s, 6H, 2-Me); 2.49-2.73 (m, 6H, indenyl-H and —CH₂CH₂—), 2.89-3.49 (m, 6H, indenyl-H); 6.06 (s, 2H, 3-H-Ind).

VI) Me₂Zr[(2-Me-4,5,6,7-H₄-Ind)₂CH₂CH₂]

5 cm³ of 1.6N (8 mmol) of ethereal methyllithium solution were added dropwise at −50° C. to 1.27 g (2.79 mmol) of Cl₂Zr[(2-Me-4,5,6,7-H₄-Ind)₂CH₂CH₂] in 20 cm³ of Et₂O, and the mixture was then stirred for 1 hour at −10° C. The solvent was replaced by n-hexane, and the mixture was stirred for a further 2 hours at room temperature, filtered and evaporated.

Yield: 1 g (2.40 mmol/86%); correct elemental analysis.

VII) Me₂Zr[(2-Me-4,5,6,7-H₄-Ind)₂SiMe₂]

4.3 cm³ of 1.6N (6.88 mmol) of ethereal methyllithium solution were added dropwise over the course of 15 minutes at −35° C. to 1.33 g (2.74 mmol) of Cl₂Zr[(2-Me-4,5,6,7-H₄-Ind)₂SiMe₂] in 25 cm³ of Et₂O. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour, the solvent was replaced by n-hexane, the mixture was stirred for 2 hours at 10° C. and then filtered, the filtrate was evaporated, and the residue was sublimed in a high vacuum.

Yield: 1.02 g (2.49 mmol/89%); correct elemental analysis

VIII) Cl₂Zr[(2-Me-4,5,6,7-H₄-Ind)₂SiMePh]

1.5 g (2.78 mmol) of Cl₂Zr[(2-Me-Ind)₂SiMePh] and 60 mg of PtO₂ in 80 cm³ of H₂CCl₂ were hydrogenated for 5 hours at 40° C. in a stirred autoclave under an H₂ pressure of 30 bar. The mixture was filtered, the solvent was stripped off, and the residue was sublimed in a high vacuum.

Yield: 0.71 g (1.30 mmol/47%); correct elemental analysis

IX) Cl₂Zr[(2-Me-4,5,6,7-H₄-Ind)₂SiPh₂]

0.8 g (1.33 mmol) of Cl₂Zr[(2-Me-Ind)₂SiPh₂], dissolved in 50 cm³ of H₂CCl₂, were stirred for 3 hours at 40° C. with 30 mg of Pt under an H₂ pressure of 50 bar. The mixture was filtered, the filtrate was evaporated, the residue was washed with warm n-hexane, the mixture was filtered, and the filtrate was evaporated.

Yield: 0.36 g (0.59 mmol/44%); correct elemental analysis

X) Cl₂Zr[(2-Et-4,5,6,7-H-Ind)₂CH₂CH₂]

1.09 g (2.30 mmol) of Cl₂Zr[(2-Et-Ind)₂CH₂CH₂] in 80 cm³ of H₂CCl₂ were hydrogenated for 1 hour at ambient temperature together with 50 mg of PtO₂ under an H₂ pressure of 80 bar. The mixture was filtered, the filtrate was evaporated, and the residue was sublimed in a high vacuum.

Yield: 0.94 g (1.95 mmol/85%); correct elemental analysis

XI) Cl₂Zr[(2-Et-4,5,6,7-H₄-Ind)₂SiMe₂]

2.00 g (3.96 mmol) of Cl₂Zr[(2-Et-Ind)₂SiMe₂] in 100 cm³ of H₂CCl₂ were hydrogenated for 3 hours at 35° C. together with 60 mg of PtO₂ under an H₂ pressure of 50 bar. The mixture was filtered, the filtrate was evaporated, and the residue was recrystallized from n-pentane.

Yield: 1.41 g (2.75 mmol/69%); correct elemental analysis

XII) Cl₂Zr[(2-Me-4,5,6,7-H₄-Ind)₂CHMeCH₂]

0.80 g (1.73 mmol) of Cl₂Zr[(2-Me-Ind)₂CHMeCH₂] in 40 cm³ of H₂CCl₂ were stirred for 1 hour at ambient temperature together with 30 mg of PtO₂ under an H₂ pressure of 80 bar, the mixture was then filtered, the filtrate was evaporated, and the residue was sublimed.

Yield: 0.55 g (1.17 mmol/68%); correct elemental analysis

XIII) Cl₂Zr[(2-Me-4,5,6,7-H₄-Ind)₂CMe₂]

0.3 g (0.65 mmol) of Cl₂Zr[(2-Me-Ind)₂CMe₂] in 30 cm³ of H₂CCl₂ were hydrogenated for 1 hour at ambient temperature together with 30 mg of Pt under an H₂ pressure of 70 bar. The solvent was stripped off, and the residue was sublimed in a high vacuum.

Yield: 0.21 g (0.45 mmol/69%); correct elemental analysis

Abbreviations:

Me=methyl, Et=ethyl, Bu=butyl, Ph=phenyl,

Ind=indenyl, THF=tetrahydrofuran, PP=polypropylene,

PE=polyethylene.

Metallocenes I as catalysts for the polymerization of olefins

EXAMPLE 1

12 dm³ of liquid propylene were introduced into a dry 24 dm³ reactor which had been flushed with nitrogen. 35 cm³ of a toluene solution of methylaluminoxane (corresponding to 52 mmol of Al, mean degree of oligomerization n=17) were then added, and the batch was stirred at 30° C. for 15 minutes. In parallel, 5.3 mg (0.011 mmol) of rac-dimethylsilyl(2-Me-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1-indenyl)₂zirconium dichloride were dissolved in 13.5 cm³ of a toluene solution of methylaluminoxane (20 mmol of Al) and preactivated by standing for 15 minutes. The solution was then introduced into the reactor and the polymerization system was heated to 70° C. (over the course of 5 minutes) and kept at this temperature for 3 hours by cooling.

The activity of the metallocene was 50.3 kg of PP/g of metallocene×h.

VN=37 cm³/g M_w=24 300 g/mol; M_wM_n=2.4; II=96.0%; n_iso=62; M.p.=150° C.; ΔH_melt=104 J/g.

Example 2

Example 1 was repeated, but 19.5 mg (0.04 mmol) of the metallocene were employed, and the polymerizaton temperature was 50° C.

The activity of the metallocene was 18.8 kg of PP/g of metallocene×h.

VN=72 cm³/g; M₂=64 750 g/mol; M_w/Mn=2.1; II=96.0%; n_iso=64; M.p.=154° C; ΔH_melt=109.5 J/g.

Example 3

Example 1 was repeated, but 58.0 mg (0.12 mmol) of the metallocene were used and the polymerization temperature was 30° C.

The activity of the metallocene was 9.7 kg of PP/g of metallocene×h.

VN=152 cm³/g; M_w=171 000 g/mol; M_w/M_n=2.2; II=99.9%; n_iso=>500; M.p.=160° C.; ΔH_melt=103 J/g.

Comparative Examples A-H

Examples 1 to 3 were repeated, but the metallocenes dimethylsilyl(2-Me-1-indenyl)₂zirconium dichloride (metallocene 1), dimethylsilyl(4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1-indenyl)₂zirconium dichloride (metallocene 2) and dimethylsilyl(1-indenyl)₂zirconium dichloride (metallocene 3) were used.

Comp.		Polym.		M.p.	ΔHmelt
Ex.	Metallocene	temp. [° C.]	niso	[° C.]	[J/g]
A	1	70	38	145	86.6
B	1	50	48	148	88.1
C	1	30	48	152	90.2
D	2	70	34	141	—
E	2	50	38	143	—
F	3	70	32	140	—
G	3	50	34	142	—
H	3	30	37	145	—

Comparison of Comparative Examples F/G with D/E confirms the positive effect of the 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindenyl ligand compared with indenyl, and Comparative Examples F/G/H compared with A/B/C show the positive effect of the substitution in the 2-position of the indenyl ligand.

In comparison with Examples 1 to 3, however, only the combination of substitution in the 2-position together with the tetrahydroindenyl system results in very high melting points and heats of melting and thus in high crystallinity and hardness of the polymers.

Example 4

Example 1 was repeated, but 6.8 mg (0.015 mmol) of ethylene(2-Me-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1-indenyl)₂zirconium dichloride were employed.

The metallocene activity was 72.5 kg of PP/g of metallocene×h.

VN=35 cm³/g; M_w=20 750 g/mol; M_w/M_n=1.9; II=94.5%; n_iso=34; M.p.=141° C.; ΔH_melt=92.4 J/g.

Example 5

Example 4 was repeated, but 28.1 mg (0.062 mmol) of the metallocene were used and the polymerization temperature was 50° C.

The metallocene activity was 28.5 kg of PP/g of metallocene×h.

VN=51 cm³/g; M_w=28 200 g/mol; M_w/M_n=2.2; II=94.8%; n_iso=35; M.p.=143° C.; ΔH_melt=97.9 J/g.

Example 6

Example 4 was repeated, but 50 mg (0.110 mmol) of the metallocene were used and the polymerization temperature was 30° C.

The metallocene activity was 10.9 kg of PP/g of metallocene×h.

VN=92 cm³/g; M_w=93 800 g/mol; M_w/M_n=2.2; II=95.5%; n_iso=48; M.p.=151° C.; ΔH_melt=99.0 J/g.

Comparative Examples I-O

Examples 4 to 6 were repeated, but the metallocenes ethylene(1-indenyl)₂zirconium dichloride (metallocene 4) and ethylene(2-Me-1-indenyl)₂zirconium dichloride (metallocene 5) were used.

Comp.		Polym.		M.p.	ΔHmelt
Ex.	Metallocene	temp. [° C.]	niso	[° C.]	[J/g]
I	4	70	23	132	64.9
K	4	50	30	138	78.1
L	4	30	29	137	78.6
M	5	70	25	134	77.0
N	5	50	30	13S	7S.9
O	5	30	32	138	7S.6

Comparison of Comparative Examples I to O with Examples 4 to 6 confirms the effect of the substitution in the 2-position together with the use of the tetrahydroindenyl system. n_iso, melting point and heat of melting are significantly higher in each of Examples 4-6, and the crystallinity and hardness of the polymers are thus also significantly improved.