Ethylene polymerization using fluorinated FI Zr-based catalyst

A fluorinated FI Zr-based catalyst of bis[N-(3,5-dicumylsalicylidene)-2′,6′-flouroanilinato]zirconium(IV) dichloride was prepared and used for polymerization of ethylene. It was revealed that ortho-F-substituted phenyl ring on the N electronically plays a key role in the suppression of chain transfer reactions especially β-hydride transfer which resulted in an increase in the molecular weight of the obtained polymer and moderation of the catalyst activity as well. Methylaluminoxane (MAO) and triisobuthylaluminum (TIBA) were used as a cocatalyst and a scavenger, respectively. The catalyst showed the maximum activity at about [Al]:[Zr] = 32000:1 M ratio and further addition of MAO did not affect the activity of the catalyst. Ortho-F not only impressed the activity, but also reduced the [Al]:[Zr] molar ratio needed to reach the highest activity in comparison with the similar non-fluorinated FI catalysts. The highest activity of the prepared catalyst was obtained at 35 °C. At the monomer pressure of 3 bars polyethylene was obtained with the viscosity average molecular weight (M _v) of 1.3 × 10⁶ indicating the dramatic effect of ortho-F substitution on the polymerization mechanism. The polymerization was carried out using different amounts of hydrogen. Neither the activity of the catalyst nor the viscosity average molecular weight (M _v) of the obtained polymer was sensitive to the hydrogen concentration. However, higher amount of hydrogen could slightly increase the activity of the catalyst.