Novel functionalized bis(imino)pyridine cobalt(II) catalysts for ethylene polymerization

This report describes synthesis and ethylene polymerization in the various conditions by two novel 2,6-bis(imino)pyridine (BIMP) catalysts B and C based on cobalt activated by methylaluminoxane (MAO) in a slurry semi-batch reactor. The catalyst activities as well as polymer properties were affected dramatically by electronic effects of the attached substitutions on the para-position of the pyridine ring. Theoretical study exhibited more positive charge on the central metal of the catalyst B resulted in higher activity at the expense of lower thermal stability and lifetime. The polymer obtained using the catalysts exhibited high molecular weight and almost narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD) ranging from 2.35 to 4.10 at the employed polymerization conditions. The highest and lowest molecular weight of the obtained polymers were produced by the catalyst A and C respectively. Hydrogen could slightly increase the catalyst activities with the exception of the catalyst B. The catalyst C bearing electron-donor OMe substitution at the para-position of the pyridine ring, produced PE with narrower PDI relative to the polymer resulted by catalysts A and B.