US Patent 7858718 Catalysts based on 2-aryl-8-anilinoquinoline ligands

Catalysts useful for polymerizing olefins are disclosed. The catalysts comprise an activator and a Group 4 metal complex that incorporates a dianionic, tridentate 2-aryl-8-anilinoquinoline ligand. In one aspect, supported catalysts are prepared by first combining a boron compound having Lewis acidity with excess alumoxane to produce an activator mixture, followed by combining the activator mixture with a support and the tridentate, dianionic Group 4 metal complex. The catalysts are easy to synthesize, support, and activate, and they enable facile production of high-molecular-weight polyolefins.