PREPARATION OF HIGHLY BRANCHED POLYETHYLENE WITH ACENAPHTHENEDIIMINE NICKEL CHLORIDE/DIETHYLALUMINUM

The homogeneous catalyst system [ArN = C(Nap)- C(Nap)= Nar]NiCl2 (Nap = 1,8-naphthdiyl, Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl)/AlEt2Cl has been prepared and examined for ethylene polymerization. Polymerization conditions such as cocatalyst, Al/Ni molar ratio and polymerization temperature (Tp) have a great effect on catalytic activity and properties of polyethylenes (PE). The activity of 5.1 × 105g PE/mol Ni. H was obtained by the catalyst, activated with AlEt2Cl at 120 of Al/Ni ratio and 30℃. Especially, Tp had a pronounced influence on branches and molecular weight of PE. Branching degree of PE increased with increasing temperature whereas their molecular weight decreased correspondingly. At Tp lower than about 70℃, the resultant PE was an elastic material. When Tp was higher than 70℃, the product was a viscous oil. The resultant PE was confirmed by 13C-NMR to contain significant amounts of not only methyl but also ethyl, propyl, butyl,amyl, and longer branches (longer than six carbons). According to gel permeation chromatographic measurement, the weightaverage molecular weights of the polymers obtained ranged from 3.6 × 103 to 2.3 × 105.