ansa-metallocene complexes of type (C13H8-SiR2-C9H6-nR′n)ZrCl2 (n = 0, 1, R = Me, Ph, alkenyl, R′ = alkyl, alkenyl):: self-immobilizing catalysts precursors for ethylene polymerization

Twenty-four (19 new) ansa-metallocene complexes of the type (C13H8-SiR2-C9H6-nRn')ZrCl2 (n = 0, 1; R = Me, Ph, alkenyl; R' = alkyl, alkenyl) have been synthezised, characterized and tested for catalytic ethylene polymerization after activation with methylaluminoxane (MAO). The substituents R in the bridge and the substituents R' in the 3-position of the indenylidene moiety have an influence on the activity of the catalysts and the molecular weights of the formed polymers. The omega-alkenyl substituents R and R' allow the copolymerization of the corresponding catalysts with the monomer upon activation to give heterogeneous catalysts by self-immobilization processes.