Polymerization catalyst systems and processes using alkyl lithium compounds as a cocatalyst

• Main Authors: BENHAM ELIZABETH A, MCDANIEL MAX P, SHVEIMA JOSEPH S, SMITH JAMES L, GEERTS ROLF L
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 07.12.2004
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOIDCHEMISTRY; CHEMISTRY; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON; MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVINGCARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS; METALLURGY; ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS; TRANSPORTING

A catalyst system composition comprising a chromium compound supported on a silica-titania support, wherein said catalyst system has been reduced with carbon monoxide, and a cocatalyst selected from the group consisting of i) alkyl lithium compounds, ii) dialkyl aluminum alkoxides in combination with at least one metal alkyl selected from the group consisting of alkyl zinc compounds, alkyl aluminum compounds, alkyl boron compounds, and mixtures thereof and iii) mixtures thereof can be used to polymerize olefins to produce a low density polymer with a decreased melt index and/or high load melt index. This catalyst system also can be used with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst system to polymerize olefins. Polymerization processes using these catalyst system compositions are also provided. Polymers resulting from polymerization processes using the inventive catalyst and cocatalyst systems have a decreased high load melt index, decreased melt index, increased fluff bulk density, and are useful as components to make bi-modal molecular weight resins for film and/or blow molding applications.