METHOD FOR PRODUCING OLEFIN POLYMER

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing an olefin polymer using a catalyst for olefin polymerization which contains a bridged metallocene compound having a specific structure.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] So-called "metallocene compounds" are well known as homogeneous catalysts for olefin polymerization. Methods for polymerizing olefins using the metallocene compounds, particularly those methods for stereoregularly polymerizing α-olefins, have been the subject of numerous researches for amelioration, since the reports made by W. Kaminsky, et al. on isotactic polymerization, from the viewpoints of further enhancement of polymerization activity and improvement in stereoregularity (Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] In an exemplary research, J.A. Ewen has reported that when propylene is polymerized in the presence of a catalyst comprising aluminoxane and a metallocene compound, which is a transition metal catalyst having a ligand of isopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(9-fluorene) synthesized from a ligand comprising cyclopentadienyl and fluorenyl bridged by isopropylidene, a polypropylene having a high tacticity with a syndiotactic pentad fraction of greater than 0.7 can be obtained (Non-Patent Document 2).

[0004] To improve this metallocene compound, it has been attempted to enhance the stereoregularity by replacing the fluorenyl with a 2,7-di-tert-butylfluorenyl group (Patent Document 1).

[0005] In addition to that, an attempt to enhance stereoregularity by replacing the fluorenyl with a 3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl group (Patent Document 2), or attempts to convert the bridging moiety which joins the cyclopentadienyl and fluorenyl (Patent Documents 3 and 4), have also been reported. Furthermore, dimethylmethylene(3-tert-butyl-5-methylcyclopentadienyl)(fluorenyl)zirconium dichloride having a methyl group introduced at the 5-position of the cyclopentadienyl ring, rather than dimethylmethylene(3-tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)(fluorenyl)z irconium dichloride, gives high molecular weight isotactic polypropylene (Patent Document 5).

[0006] However, the polymerization performance of these metallocene compounds is not sufficient. Moreover, with the catalysts of related art, it was not impossible to obtain α-olefin polymers having fairly high melting point, which is an index for stereoregularity, but polymers having high molecular weights could not be obtained. Thus, there has been a demand for production of a polymer having a fairly high melting point and a high molecular weight. Also, there has been a demand for a polymer having a higher melting point compared to the polymers of related art. Moreover, in order to enable industrialization, it is demanded to produce an α-olefin polymer having the above-described features at normal temperature or above, preferably at a high temperature exceeding normal temperature, but a catalyst which is capable of such production has not been reported heretofore.

[0007] Furthermore, even if an existing catalyst has improved polymerization performance for a specific α-olefin, the same catalyst cannot be said to be necessarily suitable for the polymerization of other α-olefins, for example, ethylene, and the catalyst had to be changed whenever the type of the polymer to be produced was varied, thus giving much inconvenience during the production.

[0008] Considering such circumstances, the inventors of the present invention have devotedly conducted research. As a result, the inventors have found that when an α-olefin such as, for example, propylene, is polymerized using a catalyst for olefin polymerization containing a specific transition metal catalyst, an α-olefin polymer having a high melting point can be obtained in a polymerization process at normal temperature, as well as in a polymerization process at a high temperature which is capable of industrialization, and also have found that even in the case of polymerizing α-olefins including ethylene as the main component under high temperature polymerization conditions, an ethylene-based polymer having a high molecular weight can be obtained with high polymerization activity, that is, the catalyst exhibits high performance in a wide range of polymerization processes, thus completing the present invention (1).

[0009] Meanwhile, a propylene-based copolymer is used in a variety of uses as a thermoplastic resin material or as a modifier for thermoplastic resin. As the polymerization catalyst used in the production of propylene-based copolymers, titanium-based catalysts and metallocene-based catalysts are known. However, in the case of using a titanium-based catalyst, there are problems such as that the composition of propylene that can be produced is limited, and the compatibility is not uniform because of wide molecular weight distribution. Furthermore, a metallocene-based catalyst shows excellent properties for copolymerization with α-olefins and enables polymerization of products with a wide range of composition, but on the other hand, there are problems such as that the molecular weight is not increased when polymerization is performed at high temperatures, and that the polymerization activity is so low that cost reduction cannot be achieved.

[0010] On the other hand, J.A. Ewen et al. found that when a catalyst comprising aluminoxane and a transition metal catalyst having a ligand of isopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(9-fluorene), in which cyclopentadiene and fluorene are bridged by isopropylidene, is used, a polypropylene having a high tacticity with a syndiotactic pentad fraction of greater than 0.7 can be obtained (Non-Patent Document 2).

[0011] It is also reported that a copolymer of propylene and ethylene with a high molecular weight can be obtained using a catalyst similar to the transition metal catalyst exhibiting syndiotactic polypropylene activity (Patent Document 6). However, this transition metal catalyst has low polymerization performance at high temperatures, and in particular, needs further improvement in the molecular weight.

[0012] The present inventors report that a propylene-based copolymer having a high molecular weight can be obtained using a specific transition metal catalyst (Patent Document 7). However, there still is a demand for enabling production of high molecular weight polymers under higher temperature conditions.

[0013] Meanwhile, polypropylene includes isotactic polypropylene, syndiotactic polypropylene and among these, isotactic polypropylene is used in various uses because of its low cost, and excellent rigidity, heat resistance and surface gloss.

[0014] In contrast to this, it is known that syndiotactic polypropylene can be obtained by low temperature polymerization in the presence of a catalyst comprising a vanadium compound, ether and an organoaluminum compound. The polymer obtained by this method has low syndiotacticity, so that the polymer is not considered to properly show the original syndiotactic properties.

[0015] Recently, since J.A. Ewen et al. first discovered that polypropylene having high tacticity with a syndiotactic pentad fraction larger than 0.7 can be obtained by a catalyst comprising aluminoxane and a transition metal catalyst having an asymmetric ligand (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1988, 110, 6255-6256 (Non-Patent Document 2)), numerous successful results concerning syndiotactic polypropylene have been disclosed. For example, JP-A No. 8-67713 (Patent Document 8) discloses a method for producing syndiotactic polypropylene using a catalyst comprising rac-2,2-dimethylpropylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-fluorenyl)dichlorometallocene of titanium, zirconium, hafnium and vanadium, and a co-catalyst. Also, the Applicant of the present invention disclosed that a syndiotactic polypropylene satisfying particular properties is produced using a polymerization catalyst comprising 1,4-cyclohexanediylidenebis[(cyclopentadienyl-9-fluorenyl)zirconium dichloride] (JP-A No. 4-80214 (Patent Document 9)).

[0016] Syndiotactic polypropylene has very high transparency, very high surface gloss and excellent flexibility compared to conventional isotactic polypropylene. Thus, in addition to the applications known for conventional isotactic polypropylene, such as films, sheets, fibers, injection molded products and blow molded products, new applications that so far could not be applied to isotactic polypropylene are expected. However, the syndiotactic polypropylene that can be obtained by the method described in the unexamined patent application publications described above, is slow in the rate of crystallization and has low crystallization temperature, thus having a problem of poor molding processability. For example, it is difficult for syndiotactic polypropylene to be crystallized even in the pelletization step during a continuous operation, and moreover the crystallization temperature is low, so that the time required in cooling an injection molded product or an extrusion processed film or sheet is much longer than that required by isotactic polypropylene. This property impedes the production rate of molded products, and consequently leads to an increase in the energy cost. There is also a need for further improvement in the moldability as well as in the balance between the heat resistance, transparency, rigidity and strength exhibited by molded products.

[0017] The Applicant of the present invention has offered the following proposals before.

[0018] JP-A No. 3-12439 (Patent Document 10) proposes a syndiotactic polypropylene resin composition comprising a substantial homopolymer of propylene in which the peak intensity of syndiotactic pentad bonding of a methyl group in the spectrum determined by ¹³C-NMR is greater than or equal to 0.7 of the peak intensity of methyl groups in total, and a copolymer of ethylene and propylene. The composition has high syndiotacticity, and has excellent impact resistance and transparency.

[0019] JP-A No. 7-247387 (Patent Document 11) proposes a syndiotactic polypropylene resin composition comprising 50 to 99.9 parts by weight of a resin component which is composed of 50 to 99 parts by weight of syndiotactic polypropylene and 1 to 50 parts by weight of isotactic polypropylene, and 0.1 to 50 parts by weight of a plasticizer. The composition has excellent molding processability and can result in molded products having excellent transparency and flexibility. The composition also has a rapid crystallization rate and excellent molding processability.

[0020] Furthermore, JP-A No. 8-59916 (Patent Document 12) proposes a syndiotactic polypropylene resin composition comprising 97 to 99.99% by weight of a syndiotactic polypropylene of which syndiotactic pentad fraction as measured by ¹³C-NMR is 0.7 or more, and 0.01 to 3% by weight of polyethylene. The composition has a rapid crystallization rate and excellent molding processability.

[0021] JP-A No. 2000-191852 (Patent Document 13) proposes a flexible transparent syndiotactic polypropylene composition comprising syndiotactic polypropylene and an amorphous propylene·α-olefin copolymer. The composition has excellent transparent, flexibility, scratch resistance and heat resistance.

[0022] JP-A No. 2000-191858 (Patent Document 14) proposes a flexible transparent syndiotactic polypropylene composition comprising syndiotactic polypropylene and a propylene·ethylene copolymer which has a substantial syndiotactic structure. The composition is described to have excellent transparency, flexibility, scratch resistance and heat resistance.

[0023] However, all of these compositions described in the publications described above are still in need of further improvement in the balance between moldability, heat resistance, transparency, impact resistance, flexibility and scratch resistance.

[0024] Furthermore, all of these compositions described in the publications described above are still in need of further improvement in the balance between moldability, heat resistance, transparency, low temperature impact resistance and flexibility.

[0025] Also, all of these compositions described in the publications described above are still in need of further improvement in the balance between moldability, heat resistance, flexibility, scratch resistance, abrasion resistance and damping properties.

[Patent Document 1] JP-A No. 1992-69394

[Patent Document 2] JP-A No. 2000-212194

[Patent Document 3] JP-A No. 2004-189666

[Patent Document 4] JP-A No. 2004-189667

[Patent Document 5] JP-W No. 2001-526730

[Patent Document 6] JP-A No. 1990-274703

[Patent Document 7] JP-A No. 2004-161957

[Patent Document 8] JP-A No. 1996-67713

[Patent Document 9] JP-A No. 1992-80214

[Patent Document 10] JP-A No. 1991-12439

[Patent Document 11] JP-A No. 1995-247387

[Patent Document 12] JP-A No. 1996-59916

[Patent Document 13] JP-A No. 2000-191852

[Patent Document 14] JP-A No. 2000-191858

[Non-Patent Document 1] Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl., 24, 507 (1985)

[Non-Patent Document 2] J. Am. Chem. Soc., 110, 6255-6256 (1988)

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method for producing an olefin polymer using a catalyst for olefin polymerization which, in the case of polymerizing an α-olefin such as propylene, can give an α-olefin polymer having a high melting point and a sufficient molecular weight under high temperature conditions as well as normal temperature conditions, and also, in the case of polymerizing α-olefins including ethylene as the main component under high temperature conditions, can give with good activity an ethylene polymer having high molecular weight, that is, a catalyst showing high performance in the production of a wide range of olefin polymers.

[0027] According to the present invention there is provided a method for producing a syndiotactic α-olefin polymer comprising polymerizing one or more monomers selected from α-olefins having 2 or more carbon atoms at a temperature within the range from 0 to 170°C in the presence of a catalyst (1) which comprises:

(a-1) a bridged metallocene compound represented by the following Formula [1-1]; and

(b) at least one compound selected from:

(b-1) an organoaluminum oxy compound,

(b-2) a compound which reacts with the bridged metallocene compound (a-1) to form an ion pair, and

(b-3) an organoaluminum compound;

wherein each of R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ is a hydrogen atom;

R⁵, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹², which may be identical to or different from each other, are each selected from hydrogen, a hydrocarbon group and a silicon-containing group;

R⁶, R⁷, R¹⁰ and R¹¹, which may be identical to or different from each other, are each selected from a hydrocarbon group and a silicon-containing group;

in one or more pairs of adjacent groups selected from R⁵ and R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸, R⁸ and R⁹, R⁹ and R¹⁰, and R¹¹ and R¹², the adjacent groups may be linked to each other to form a ring;

R¹³ and R¹⁴, which may be identical to or different from each other, are each an atom or a substituent selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and a silicon atom-containing group;

M is Ti, Zr or Hf;

Y is carbon; and

Q, which may be identical to or different from each other, is selected from a halogen, a hydrocarbon group, an anion ligand and a neutral ligand capable of coordination with a lone electron pair; and

j is an integer from 1 to 4.

[0028] Preferably the catalyst (1) further comprises a support.

[0029] Preferably R⁶ and R¹¹ are each an aryl group or a substituted aryl group.

[0030] Preferably R¹³ and R¹⁴ are each a hydrocarbon group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms.

[0031] Preferably R¹³ and R¹⁴ represent an ethyl group, a n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, a n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, a tert-butyl group, a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a cycloheptyl group, a phenyl group, a m-tolyl group, a p-tolyl group, a benzyl group, a m-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl group, a p-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl group, a bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl group, a m-chlorophenyl group, a p-chlorophenyl group or a dichlorophenyl group.

[0032] Preferably the bridged metallocene compound (a-1) has a Cs-symmetric structure.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0033] When α-olefins having 3 or more carbon atoms such as propylene are polymerized using the catalyst (1) for olefin polymerization, an α-olefin polymer having a high melting point and a sufficiently high molecular weight can be obtained with good activity under high temperature conditions as well as under normal temperature conditions. Furthermore, even when α-olefins including at least ethylene are polymerized under high temperature conditions using the same catalyst, an ethylene polymer having good activity and sufficiently high molecular weight can be obtained. That is, the catalyst shows high performance in the production of a wide range of olefin polymers.

[0034] Furthermore, by producing olefin polymers using such a catalyst for olefin polymerization, α-olefin polymers having a high melting point and a sufficiently high molecular weight can be obtained with good activity even under high temperature conditions. Also, even when α-olefins including at least ethylene are polymerized under high temperature conditions using the same catalyst, ethylene polymers having sufficiently high molecular weight can be obtained with good activity.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<Catalyst for olefin polymerization (1)>

[0035] First, the catalyst (1) for olefin polymerization of the present invention, hereafter sometimes referred to as "present invention (1)", will be described in detail.

[0036] The catalyst (1) for olefin polymerization of the present invention (1) is characterized in comprising:

(a-1) a bridged metallocene compound represented by the above Formula [1-1]; and

(b) at least one compound selected from:

(b-1) an organoaluminum oxy compound,

(b-2) a compound which reacts with the bridged metallocene compound (a-1) to form an ion pair, and

(b-3) an organoaluminum compound.

[0037] Hereinafter, the bridged metallocene compound (a-1) used in the catalyst (1) for olefin polymerization for use in the method of the present invention will be described.

(a-1) Bridged metallocene compound

[0038] The bridged metallocene compound (a-1) represented by the above Formula [1-1] (in the present specification, may also be referred to as "component (a-1)") has the following chemical structural features [m1-1] to [m1-2].

[m1-1] Of the two ligands, one is a cyclopentadienyl group, and the other is a fluorenyl group which is substituted (hereinafter, may be referred to as "substituted fluorenyl group").

[m1-2] The transition metal (M) constituting the metallocene compound is titanium, zirconium or hafnium.

[0039] Hereinafter, the cyclopentadienyl group, the substituted fluorenyl group and a bridging part, which are chemical structural features of the bridged metallocene compound (a-1) used in the present invention (1), and other features will be described in order, and preferred bridged metallocene compounds [1-1] having all of the features, and examples thereof, and finally the method for polymerization of the present invention (1) using the bridged metallocene compound (a-1) will be described in detail.

Cyclopentadienyl group

[0040] The cyclopentadienyl group is unsubstituted. The unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl group is a cyclopentadienyl group in which R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ possessed by the cyclopentadienyl group moiety in the above Formula [1-1] are all hydrogen atoms.

Substituted fluorenyl group

[0041] The first important feature for the fluorenyl group moiety in the chemical structure represented by the above Formula [1-1] used in the method for polymerization of the present invention (1), is that the four groups of R⁶, R⁷, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ in the above Formula [1-1] are not hydrogen atoms. R⁶, R⁷, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are selected from a hydrocarbon group and a silicon-containing group, and each may be a hydrocarbon group (f1), or a silicon-containing group (f2) as now described.

[0042] The hydrocarbon group (f1) is preferably exemplified, in the case where the substituent does not form a ring together with another substituent, by a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms in total (hereinafter, may also be referred to as "hydrocarbon group (f1')").

[0043] The hydrocarbon group (f1') having 1 to 20 carbon atoms in total means an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group or an aryl group, which is constituted only with carbon and hydrogen.

[0044] The hydrocarbon group (f1') having 1 to 20 carbon atoms in total includes a heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon group in which a part of the hydrogen atoms are substituted with a halogen atom, an oxygen-containing group, a nitrogen-containing group or a silicon-containing group, in addition to the alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group or aryl group constituted only with carbon and hydrogen. Examples of such hydrocarbon group (f1') include:

straight-chained hydrocarbon groups such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, an n-propyl group, an allyl group, an n-butyl group, an n-pentyl group, an n-hexyl group, an n-heptyl group, an n-octyl group, an n-nonyl group, and an n-decanyl group;

branched hydrocarbon groups such as an isopropyl group, a t-butyl group, an amyl group, a 3-methylpentyl group, a 1,1-diethylpropyl group, a 1,1-dimethylbutyl group, 1-methyl-1-propylbutyl group, a 1,1-propylbutyl group, a 1,1-dimethyl-2-methylpropyl group, and a 1-methyl-1-isopropyl-2-methylpropyl group;

saturated cyclic hydrocarbon groups such as a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a cycloheptyl group, a cyclooctyl group, a norbornyl group, and an adamantyl group;

unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbon groups such as a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, a biphenyl group, a phenanthryl group, and an anthracenyl group, and nuclear alkyl-substituted products thereof;

saturated hydrocarbon groups substituted with an aryl group such as a benzyl group, and a cumyl group; and

heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon groups such as a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, a phenoxy group, an N-methylamino group, a trifluoromethyl group, a tribromomethyl group, a pentafluoroethyl group, a pentafluorophenyl group, a fluorophenyl group, a chlorophenyl group, a bromophenyl group, a chlorobenzyl group, a fluorobenzyl group, a bromobenzyl group, a dichlorobenzyl group, a difluorobenzyl group, a trichlorobenzyl group, and a trifluorobenzyl group.

[0045] The silicon-containing group (f2) is a group having a silicon atom which is covalently bonded to a ring carbon of the cyclopentadienyl group, and is specifically an alkylsilyl group or an arylsilyl group. A preferred silicon-containing group (f2), in the case where the substituent does not form a ring together with another substituent, is exemplified by a silicon-containing group (f2') having 1 to 20 carbon atoms in total such as a trimethylsilyl group, and a triphenylsilyl group.

[0046] The second important feature for the fluorenyl group moiety is that R⁶ and R⁷, and R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are not linked to each other to form rings. Since the four groups of R⁶, R⁷, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are not hydrogen atoms, and also R⁶ and R⁷ are not linked to each other to form rings and R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are not linked to each other to form rings in the bridged metallocene compound (a-1), a polymerization activity can be achieved, which could not be achieved by existing polymerization processes, and it is possible to produce a polymer of an α-olefin having 3 or more carbon atoms, for example, a propylene polymer, which has a high melting point.

[0047] Furthermore, R⁵, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹² may be atoms or groups that are identical to or different from each other, and selected from a hydrogen, the hydrocarbon group (f1) and the silicon-containing group (f2), and in the one or more combinations of adjacent groups selected from R⁵ and R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸, R⁸ and R⁹, R⁹ and R¹⁰, and R¹¹ and R¹², the adjacent groups may be linked to each other to form a ring.

[0048] Examples of the hydrocarbon group (f1) used in the substituents R⁵ to R¹² include, in the case where the substituent is a group not forming a ring together with another substituent, the hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms in total (hydrocarbon group (f1')).

[0049] When the substituents R⁵ to R¹² are each the hydrocarbon group (f1), the substituent may be linked to another substituent among the substituents R⁵ to R¹² within the range of the above-described combinations of adjacent groups, to form a ring. In this case, the adjacent substituents among R⁵ to R¹² are linked to each other to form a ring (ring (f"')).

[0050] Furthermore, when adjacent substituents among the substituents R⁵ to R¹² are linked to each other within the range of the above-described combinations of adjacent groups, to form a ring, it is preferable that two adjacent groups among the substituents R⁵ to R¹² are linked to each other to form a ring.

[0051] For example, when two adjacent substituents are linked to each other to form a ring (when one or more adjacent combinations of adjacent groups selected from R⁵ and R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸, R⁸ and R⁹, R⁹ and R¹⁰, R¹¹ and R¹² form a ring), regardless of the fact that the preferred number of carbon atoms for each of the above-described R⁵ to R¹² is 1 to 20, the sum of carbon atoms in the two substituents forming a ring is preferably 2 to 40, more preferably 3 to 30, and even more preferably 4 to 20.

[0052] When adjacent substituents are linked to each other to form a ring, a part of the hydrogen atoms directly attached to carbon atoms of the substituent may also be substituted by a halogen atom, an oxygen-containing group, a nitrogen-containing group or a silicon-containing group, and the sum of carbon atoms in a plurality of substituents forming a ring includes the number of carbon atoms contained in the oxygen-containing group, the nitrogen-containing group and the silicon-containing group.

[0053] From the viewpoint of synthesis of the catalyst of the present invention (1), it is preferable that R⁶ and R¹¹ are identical atoms or identical groups, and R⁷ and R¹⁰ are identical atoms or identical groups. Preferred group as the hydrocarbon group (f1) is the aforementioned hydrocarbon group (f1') having 1 to 20 carbon atoms in total, and the ring structure (f"'). Preferred examples of the silicon-containing group (f2) include the silicon-containing group (f2') having 1 to 20 carbon atoms in total in the case where the substituent described above does not form a ring with another substituent.

[0054] According to the present invention (1), from the viewpoint that a polymer of an α-olefin having 3 or more carbon atoms, which has a melting point higher than or equal to the melting point of conventional polymers, and has a high molecular weight, can be obtained under the conditions of high temperature polymerization as well as under the conditions of polymerization at normal temperature, it is particularly preferable that R⁶ and R¹¹ are any one of the following (1) and (2) :

(1) hydrocarbon groups, and in the case where they do not form a ring with adjacent groups, they are each independently a hydrocarbon group having 2 or more carbon atoms, more preferably 3 or more carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 4 or more carbon atoms; and

(2) respectively silicon-containing groups.

[0055] Furthermore, among the silicon-containing groups, a silicon-containing group of which the sum of carbon atoms and silicon atoms is 3 or more, and preferably 4 or more, is preferred. In order to enhance the effect of the present invention,
when R⁶ is a hydrocarbon group which does not form a ring with its adjacent group, and R⁷ is a hydrocarbon group which does not form a ring together with an adjacent group, it is preferable that the number of carbon atoms of R⁶ is equal to or larger than the number of carbon atoms of R⁷;
when R⁶ is a silicon-containing group, and R⁷ is a silicon-containing group, it is preferable that the total number of silicon atoms and carbon atoms of R⁶ is equal to or larger than the total number of silicon atoms and carbon atoms of R⁷;
when R⁶ is a hydrocarbon group which does not form a ring with an adjacent group, and R⁷ is a silicon-containing group, it is preferable that the number of carbon atoms of R⁶ is equal to or larger than the total number of silicon atoms and carbon atoms of R⁷; and
when R⁶ is a silicon-containing group, and R⁷ is a hydrocarbon group which does not form a ring, it is preferable that the total number of silicon atoms and carbon atoms of R⁶ is equal to or larger than the number of carbon atoms of R⁷.

[0056] As R⁶ and R¹¹, an aryl group or a substituted aryl group is preferred, and specific examples thereof include a phenyl group, an o-tolyl group, an m-tolyl group, a p-tolyl group, a t-butylphenyl group, a naphthyl group, a dimethylphenyl group, a trimethylphenyl group, a biphenyl group, an o-fluorophenyl group, an m-fluorophenyl group, a p-fluorophenyl group, an o-chlorophenyl group, an m-chlorophenyl group, a p-chlorophenyl group, an o-trifluorophenyl group, an m-trifluorophenyl group, and a p-trifluorophenyl group.

[0057] When R⁶ and R¹¹ of the substituted fluorenyl group is one of the above-described (1) and (2), there can be obtained a polymer of an α-olefin having 3 or more carbon atoms, whose melting point is higher, and whose molecular weight is equal to or larger than conventional polymers, as compared in terms of polymerization under the same polymerization conditions. Alternatively, even under high temperature polymerization conditions as well as under polymerization conditions at normal temperature, there can be obtained a polymer of an α-olefin having 3 or more carbon atoms, whose melting point is equal to or higher than that of conventional polymers, as compared in terms of polymerization under the same polymerization conditions. In particular, an α-olefin polymer having excellent in the balance of performance can be produced.

Covalently bonded bridge

[0058] The main chain part of the bond connecting the cyclopentadienyl group which may be substituted and the substituted fluorenyl group is a bivalent covalently bonded bridge containing one carbon atom.

[0059] An important feature in the covalently bonded bridge part in the bridged metallocene compound (a-1) used in the present invention (1), is that the bridging atom Y in the above Formula [1-1] has R¹³ and R¹⁴, and these are atoms or substituents selected from a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group excluding a methyl group, and a silicon atom-containing group, which may be identical to and different from each other.

[0060]  R¹³ and R¹⁴ are each preferably a hydrocarbon group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, or a silicon-containing group.

[0061] Since such covalently bonded bridge is combined with the substituted fluorenyl group, production of a propylene polymer having high melting point under high temperature polymerization conditions, which could not be achieved by existing polymerization processes, is now possible.

[0062] The hydrocarbon group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms represented by R¹³ and R¹⁴ may hereinafter be referred to as "hydrocarbon group (f1")".

[0063] Preferred examples of the hydrocarbon group (f1") include an alkyl group, a substituted alkyl group (including a halogen-substituted alkyl group), a cycloalkyl group, a substituted cycloalkyl group (including a halogen-substituted alkyl group), an arylalkyl group, a substituted arylalkyl group (including a halogen-substituted arylalkyl group and an arylalkyl group substituted with a halogenated alkyl group), an alkylaryl group, a substituted alkylaryl group (including a halogen-substituted alkylaryl group, and an alkylaryl group substituted with a halogenated alkyl group) and an aryl group (an aromatic group).

[0064] Preferred examples thereof also include a substituted aryl group (including a halogen-substituted aryl group, and an aryl group substituted with a halogenated alkyl group). With regard to the substituted arylalkyl group and the substituted alkylaryl group, the substituent may be attached to the aryl moiety or may be attached to the alkyl moiety.

[0065] The silicon-containing group (f2) is a group having a silicon atom which is covalently bonded to a ring carbon of the cyclopentadienyl group, and is specifically an alkylsilyl group or an arylsilyl group. For example, when the substituent does not form a ring with another substituent, the silicon-containing group (f2') having 1 to 20 carbon atoms in total is exemplified by a trimethylsilyl group, a triethylsilyl group, a triphenylsilyl group.

[0066]  As R¹³ and R¹⁴, inter alia, preferred are
alkyl groups such as an ethyl group, an n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, and a tert-butyl group;
cycloalkyl groups such as a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, and a cycloheptyl group;
aryl groups such as a phenyl group, a biphenyl group, and a naphthyl group;
alkylaryl groups such as an o-tolyl group, an m-tolyl group, and a p-tolyl group;
arylalkyl groups such as a benzyl group, and a phenylbenzyl group;
substituted aryl groups substituted with a group having a halogen atom, such as an m- (trifluoromethyl) phenyl group, a p-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl group, a bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl group, an m-chlorophenyl group, a p-chlorophenyl group, and a dichlorophenyl group; and
substituted alkylaryl groups substituted with a group having a halogen atom, such as an m-chlorobenzyl group, a p-chlorobenzyl group, an m-fluorobenzyl group, a p-fluorobenzyl group, an m-bromobenzyl group, a p-bromobenzyl group, a dichlorobenzyl group, a difluorobenzyl group, a trichlorobenzyl group, and a trifluorobenzyl group. In the case of having a substituent in the aromatic moiety of the aryl group or arylalkyl group, the group having their substituent at the meta-position and/or para-position is preferred.

[0067] Among these, an alkyl group, an arylalkyl group, a substituted arylalkyl group (including a halogen-substituted arylalkyl group and an arylalkyl group substituted with a halogenated alkyl group), and an alkylaryl group are more preferred. Particularly in this case, in addition to the features described above, an α-olefin polymer having a higher melting point and a larger molecular weight can be produced at a temperature above or equal to normal temperature.

[0068] As the bridged metallocene compound (a-1) used in the present invention (1), a compound having in which R¹³ and R¹⁴ are the same is preferably used in view of the ease in production.

Other features of bridged metallocene compound (a-1)

[0069] In the above formula [1-1], Q is selected from a halogen, a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a neutral, conjugated or non-conjugated diene having 10 or fewer carbon atoms, an anion ligand, and a neutral ligand capable of coordination with a lone electron pair, in identical or different combinations. Specific examples of the halogen include fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine, and specific examples of the hydrocarbon group include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1,1-diethylpropyl, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl, 1,1,2,2-tetramethylpropyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, 1,1-dimethylbutyl, 1,1,3-trimethylbutyl, neopentyl, cyclohexylmethyl, cyclohexyl, and 1-methyl-1-cyclohexyl.

[0070] Specific examples of the neutral, conjugated or non-conjugated diene having 10 or fewer carbon atoms include s-cis or s-trans-η⁴-1,3-butadiene, s-cis or s-trans-η⁴-1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiene, s-cis or s-trans-η⁴-3-methyl-1,3-pentadiene, s-cis or s-trans-η⁴-1,4-dibenzyl-1,3-butadiene, s-cis or s-trans-η⁴-2, 4-hexadiene, s-cis or s-trans-η⁴-1,3-pentadiene, s-cis or s-trans-η⁴-1,4-ditolyl-1,3-butadiene, and s-cis or s-trans-η⁴-1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,3-butadiene.

[0071] Specific examples of the anion ligand include alkoxy groups such as methoxy, tert-butoxy, and phenoxy, carboxylate groups such as acetate, and benzoate, and sulfonate groups such as mesylate, and tosylate.

[0072] Specific examples of the neutral ligand capable of coordination with a lone electron pair include organophosphorus compounds such as trimethylphosphine, triethylphosphine, triphenylphosphine, and diphenylmethylphosphine, and ethers such as tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, dioxane, and 1,2-dimethoxyethane.

[0073] j is an integer from 1 to 4, and when j is 2 or greater, Q may be identical to or different from each other.

Preferred bridged metallocene compound (a-1) and examples thereof

[0074] Specific examples of the Group 4 transition metal compound represented by the above Formula [1-1] will be shown in the following.

[0075] Examples thereof include

di-n-butylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di-n-butylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl(2,7-di(2,4,6-trimethyl phenyl)-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di-n-butylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di-n-butylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di-n-butylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)-(2,3,6,7-tetra-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di-n-butylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di(4-methylphenyl)-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di-n-butylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di-naphthyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di-n-butylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di(4-tert-butylphenyl)-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

diisobutylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, diisobutylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl(2,7-di(2,4,6-trimethyl phenyl)-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, diisobutylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, diisobutylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, diisobutylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,3,6,7-tetra-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, diisobutylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di(4-methylphenyl)-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, diisobutylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di-naphthyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, diisobutylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di(4-tert-butylphenyl)-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride [also referred to as 1,3-diphenylisopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride ,the same applies hereinafter], dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl(2,7-di(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,3,6,7-tetra-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di(4-methylphenyl)-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di-naphthyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di(4-tert-butylphenyl)-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

diphenethylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3 ,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, diphenethylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(benzhydryl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(benzhydryl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(cumyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(cumyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(1-phenyl-ethyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(1-phenyl-ethyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(cyclohexylmethyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(cyclohexylmethyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(cyclopentylmethyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(cyclopentylmethyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(naphthylmethyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(naphthylmethyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(biphenylmethyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl-)zirconium dichloride, di(biphenylmethyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

(benzyl)(n-butyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, (benzyl)(n-butyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, (benzyl)(cumyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, (benzyl)(cumyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, cyclopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, cyclopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, cyclobutylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, cyclobutylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, cyclopentylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, cyclopentylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, cyclohexylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, cyclohexylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, cycloheptylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, cycloheptylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-dimethyl-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di-n-butylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-dimethyl-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-dicumyl-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di-n-butylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-dicumyl-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di(trimethylsilyl)-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di-n-butylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di(trimethylsilyl)-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-diphenyl-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di-n-butylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-diphenyl-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)-(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-dibenzyl-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di-n-butylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-dibenzyl-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-dimethyl-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di-n-butylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-dimethyl-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

diphenylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, diphenylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(p-tolyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(p-tolyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(p-chlorophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(p-chlorophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(m-chlorophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(m-chlorophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(p-bromophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(p-bromophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(m-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(m-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(p-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(p-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(p-tert-butyl-phenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(p-tert-butyl-phenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(p-n-butyl-phenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(p-n-butyl-phenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

di(p-biphenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(p-biphenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(1-naphthyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(1-naphthyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(2-naphthyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(2-naphthyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(naphthylmethyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(naphthylmethyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(p-isopropylphenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(p-isopropylphenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(biphenylmethyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(biphenylmethyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, diphenylsulylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, diphenylsilylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

di(4-chlorobenzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-dimethyl-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(3-chlorobenzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-dimethyl-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(4-bromobenzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-dimethyl-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(3-bromobenzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-dimethyl-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(4-fluorobenzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-dimethyl-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(3-fluorobenzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-dimethyl-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(4-chlorobenzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-dimethyl-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(4-chlorobenzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di-naphthyl-3,6-dimethylbutylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(4-chlorobenzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di{p-tolyl}-3,6-dimethyl-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(4-chlorobenzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di{o-tolyl}-3,6-dimethyl-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, di(4-phenyl benzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di{p-chlorophenyl}-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and di(4-chlorobenzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di{p-chlorophenyl}-3,6-di-tert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

[0076] Furthermore, a compound resulting from replacing the "zirconium" of the compound described above with "hafnium" or "titanium", a metallocene compound resulting from replacing the "dichloride" of the compound described above with "difluoride", "dibromide" or "diiodide", or resulting from replacing the "dichloride" of the compound described above with "dimethyl" or "methylethyl", are also likewise the metallocene compound related to the catalyst (1) for olefin polymerization of the present invention (1). In particular, by using a metallocene compound having a Cs-symmetric structure, among the catalyst structures described above, a syndiotactic α-olefin polymer having a high melting point can be synthesized.

[0077] The bridged metallocene compound (a-1) described above can be produced by a known method, and the method for production is not particularly limited. The known method for production is exemplified by the methods for production described in the pamphlets of WO 2001/27124 and WO 2004/087775 filed by the present applicant.

[0078] The metallocene compound as described above can be used alone or in combination of two or more species.

Catalyst for olefin polymerization

[0079] Next, preferred embodiments of using the bridged metallocene compound (a-1) described above as a polymerization catalyst in the method for olefin polymerization of the present invention (1), will be described.

[0080] In the case of using the bridged metallocene compound (a-1) as a catalyst for olefin polymerization, the catalyst component comprises:

(a-1) a bridged metallocene compound represented by the above Formula [1-1]; and

(b) at least one compound selected from:

(b-1) an organoaluminum oxy compound, (b-2) a compound which reacts with the bridged metallocene compound (a-1) to form an ion pair, and (b-3) an organoaluminum compound,

and if necessary, further comprises a particulate support (c).

[0081] Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail.

(b-1) Organoaluminum oxy compound

[0082] As the organoaluminum oxy compound (b-1) described above (in the present specification, may also be referred to as "component (b-1)"), a known aluminoxane may be directly used, and specific examples thereof include a compound represented by the following Formula [2]:

wherein in the above Formula [2], R's each independently represent a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atom; and n represents an integer of 2 or more,
and/or by Formula [3]:

wherein in the above Formula [3], R represents a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and n represents an integer of 2 or more. In particular, methylaluminoxane in which R is a methyl group and n is 3 or more, preferably 10 or more, is used. These aluminoxanes may have some amount of an organoaluminum compound incorporated therein.

[0083] The characteristic feature in a high temperature solution polymerization of the present invention (1) is that the benzene-insoluble organoaluminum oxy compounds as illustrated in JP-A No. 2-78687 can be also applied. The organoaluminum oxy compounds described in JP-A No. 2-167305, aluminoxanes having 2 or more kinds of alkyl groups as described in JP-A Nos. 2-247201 and 3-103407 are also appropriately used. The "benzene-insoluble" organoaluminum oxy compound means an organoaluminum oxy compound which is insoluble or poorly soluble in benzene to the extent that the Al component soluble in benzene at 60°C is contained in an amount of generally 10% or less, preferably 5% or less, and particularly preferably 2% or less, relative to Al atoms.

[0084] Examples of the organoaluminum oxy compound (b-1) also include modified methylaluminoxane as represented by the following Formula [4]:

wherein R represents a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and m and n each independently represent an integer of 2 or more.

[0085] This modified methylaluminoxane is prepared using trimethylaluminum and an alkylaluminum other than trimethylaluminum. Such modified methylaluminoxane is generally referred to as MMAO. MMAO can be prepared by the methods disclosed in US 4, 960, 878 and US 5, 041, 584. In addition, such a compound in which R is an isobutyl group, which compound is prepared using trimethylaluminum and triisobutylaluminum, is also commercially produced by Tosoh Finechem Corporation and the like under the product name of MMAO or TMAO. Such MMAO is an aluminoxane having improved solubility in various solvents and storage stability, and specifically, the compound is soluble in aliphatic hydrocarbons and alicyclic hydrocarbons, unlike the aluminoxanes that are insoluble or poorly soluble in benzene, such as the compounds represented by Formula [2] or [3] mentioned.

[0086] Furthermore, examples of the organoaluminum oxy compound (b-1) also include an organoaluminum oxy compound containing boron, represented by the following Formula [5].

wherein in the Formula [5], R^c represents a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R^d's, which may be identical to or different from each other, each represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms.

(b-2) Compound which reacts with the bridged metallocene compound (a-1) to form an ion pair

[0087] Examples of the compound (b-2) which reacts with the bridged metallocene compound (a-1) to form an ion pair (hereinafter, may be referred to as "ionic compound (b-2)" or "compound (b-2)") include Lewis acids, ionic compounds, borane compounds and carborane compounds described in JP-A No. 1-501950, JP-A No. 1-502036, JP-A No. 3-179005, JP-A No. 3-179006, JP-A No. 3-207703, JP-A No. 3-207704, US 5, 321, 106. Examples thereof also include heteropoly compounds and isopoly compounds.

[0088] An ionic compound (b-2) preferably employed in the present invention is a compound represented by the following Formula [6].

wherein in the Formula [6], R^e+ is exemplified by H⁺, a carbenium cation, an oxonium cation, an ammonium cation, a phosphonium cation, a cycloheptyltrienyl cation, a ferrocenium cation having a transition metal; R^f to Rⁱ may be identical to or different from each other, and are each an organic group, preferably an aryl group.

[0089]  Specific examples of the carbenium cation include trisubstituted carbenium cations such as triphenylcarbenium cation, tris(methylphenyl)carbenium cation, and tris(dimethylphenyl)carbenium cation.

[0090] Specific examples of the ammonium cation include trialkylammonium cations such as trimethylammonium cation, triethylammonium cation, tri(n-propyl)ammonium cation, triisopropylammonium cation, tri (n-butyl) ammonium cation, and triisobutylammonium cation; N,N-dialkylanilinium cations such as N,N-dimethylanilinium cation, N, N-diethylanilinium cation, and N,N-2,4,6-pentamethylanilinium cation; and dialkylammonium cations such as diisopropylammonium cation, and dicyclohexylammonium cation.

[0091] Specific examples of the phosphonium cation include triarylphosphonium cations such as triphenylphosphonium cation, tris(methylphenyl)phosphonium cation, and tris(dimethylphenyl)ph,osphonium cation.

[0092] Among them, R^e+ is preferably a carbenium cation, an ammonium cation, and particularly preferably a triphenylcarbenium cation, an N,N-dimethylanilinium cation, an N,N-diethylanilinium cation.

[0093] Specific examples of a carbenium salt include triphenylcarbenium tetraphenylborate, triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(3,5-ditrifluoromethylphenyl)borate, tris(4-methylphenyl)carbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, and tris(3,5-dimethylphenyl)carbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate.

[0094] Examples of an ammonium salt include trialkyl-substituted ammonium salts, and N,N-dialkylanilinium salts, dialkylammonium salts.

[0095] Specific examples of the trialkyl-substituted ammonium salt include triethylammonium tetraphenylborate, tripropylammonium tetraphenylborate, tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetraphenylborate, trimethylammoniumtetrakis(p-tolyl)borate, trimethylammonium tetrakis(o-tolyl)borate, tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, triethylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tripropylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tripropylammonium tetrakis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)borate, tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(3,5-dimethylphenyl)borate, tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)borate, tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(3,5-ditrifluoromethylphenyl)borate, tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(o-tolyl)borate, dioctadecylmethylammonium tetraphenylborate, dioctadecylmethylammonium tetrakis(p-tolyl)borate, dioctadecylmethylammonium tetrakis(o-tolyl)borate, dioctadecylmethylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, dioctadecylmethylammonium tetrakis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)borate, dioctadecylmethylammonium tetrakis(3,5-dimethylphenyl)borate, dioctadecylmethylammonium tetrakis(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)borate, dioctadecylmethylammonium tetrakis(3,5-ditrifluoromethylphenyl)borate, and dioctadecylmethylammonium.

[0096] Specific examples of an N,N-dialkylanilinium salt include N,N-dimethylanilinium tetraphenylborate, N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(3,5-ditrifluoromethylphenyl)borate, N,N-diethylanilinium tetraphenylborate, N,N-diethylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-diethylanilinium tetrakis(3,5-ditrifluoromethylphenyl)borate, N,N-2,4,6-pentamethylanilinium tetraphenylborate, and N,N-2,4,6-pentamethylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate.

[0097] Specific examples of an dialkylammonium salt include di(1-propyl)ammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, and dicyclohexylammonium tetraphenylborate.

[0098] In addition to these, ionic compounds disclosed by the present applicant, (JP-A No. 2004-51676) can also be used without limitation.

[0099] The ionic compound (b-2) as described above can be used as a mixture of two or more species.

(b-3) Organoaluminum compound

[0100] Examples of the organoaluminum compound (b-3) (in the present specification, may also be referred to as "component (b-3) ") forming the catalyst for olefin polymerization include an organoaluminum compound represented by the following Formula [7], and a complex alkylated product of Group 1 transition metal and aluminum represented by the following Formula [8].

        R^a_mAl (OR^b)_nH_pX_q     [7]

wherein in the Formula [7], R^a and R^b, which may be identical to or different from each other, each represent a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 15, preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms; X represents a halogen atom; m is a number satisfying 0 < m ≤ 3, n is a number satisfying 0 ≤ n < 3, p is a number satisfying 0 ≤ p < 3, and q is a value satisfying 0 ≤ q < 3; and m+n+p+q=3.

[0101] Specific examples of such compound include tri-n-alkylaluminums such as trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, tri-n-butylaluminum, trihexylaluminum, and trioctylaluminum;
tri-branched-alkylaluminums such as triisopropylaluminum, triisobutylaluminum, tri-sec-butylaluminum, tri-tert-butylaluminum, tri-2-methylbutylaluminum, tri-3-methylhexylaluminum, and tri-2-ethylhexylaluminum;
tricycloalkylaluminums such as tricyclohexylaluminum, and tricyclooctylaluminum;
triarylaluminums such as triphenylaluminum, and tritolylaluminum;
dialkylaluminum hydrides such as diisopropylaluminum hydride, and diisobutylaluminum hydride;
alkenylaluminums represented by general formula: (i-C₄H₉)_xAl_y(C₅H₁₀)_z (wherein x, y and z are positive numbers, and z ≤ 2x), such as isoprenylaluminum;
alkylaluminum alkoxides such as isobutylaluminum methoxide, and isobutylaluminum ethoxide;
dialkylaluminum alkoxides such as dimethylaluminummethoxide, diethylaluminumethoxide, and dibutylaluminumbutoxide;
alkylaluminum sesquialkoxides such as ethylaluminum sesquiethoxide, and butylaluminum sesquibutoxide;
partially alkoxylated alkylaluminums having an average composition represented by general formula: Ra_2.5Al(ORb)_0.5; alkylaluminum aryloxides such as diethylaluminum phenoxide, and diethylaluminum (2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenoxide);
dialkylaluminum halides such as dimethylaluminum chloride, diethylaluminum chloride, dibutylaluminum chloride, diethylaluminum bromide, and diisobutylaluminum chloride;
alkylaluminum sesquihalides such as ethylaluminum sesquichloride, butylaluminum sesquichloride, and ethylaluminum sesquibromide;
partially halogenated alkylaluminums such as alkylaluminum dihalide such as ethylaluminum dichloride;
dialkylaluminum hydrides such as diethylaluminum hydride, and dibutylaluminum hydride;
partially hydrogenated alkylaluminums such as alkylaluminum dihydride such as ethylaluminum dihydride, and propylaluminum dihydride;
partially alkoxylated and halogenated alkylaluminums such as ethylaluminum ethoxychloride, butylaluminum butoxychloride, and ethylaluminum ethoxybromide.

        M²AlR^a₄     [8]

wherein in Formula [8], M² represents Li, Na or K; and R^a represents a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 15, preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms.

[0102] Such compound is exemplified by LiAl(C₂H₅)₄, LiAl(C₇H₁₅)_4.

[0103] A compound similar to the compound represented by the Formula [8] can also be used, and examples thereof include an organoaluminum compound in which two or more aluminum compounds are bound with a nitrogen atom interposed therebetween. Specifically, such compound is exemplified by (C₂H₅)2AlN(C₂H₅)Al(C₂H₅)₂.

[0104] As the organoaluminum compound (b-3), trimethylaluminum and triisobutylaluminum are preferably used from the aspect of easy availability.

[0105] Furthermore, in the catalyst (1) for olefin polymerization, if necessary, a support (c) may be used along with the (a-1) bridged metallocene compound represented by the Formula [1-1], and (b) at least one compound selected from (b-1) the organoaluminum oxy compound, (b-2) the compound which reacts with the bridged metallocene compound (a-1) to form an ion pair, and (b-3) the organoaluminum compound.

(c) Support

[0106] The support (c) (in the present specification, may be referred to as "component (c)") is an inorganic or organic compound, and is a granular or microparticulate solid. Among these, the inorganic compound is preferably a porous oxide, an inorganic halide, a clay, a clay mineral, or an ion exchangeable lamellar compound.

[0107] As the porous oxide, specifically SiO₂, Al₂O₃, MgO, ZrO, TiO₂, B₂O₃, CaO, ZnO, BaO, ThO₂ or complexes or mixtures containing these, for example, natural or synthetic zeolites, SiO₂-MgO, SiO₂-Al₂O₃, SiO₂-TiO₂, SiO₂-V₂O₅, SiO₂-Cr₂O₃, SiO₂-TiO₂-MgO can be used. Among these, it is preferable to use SiO₂ and/or Al₂O₃ as the main component.

[0108] The above-mentioned inorganic oxide may contain a small amount of carbonate, sulfate, nitrate or oxide component, such as Na₂CO₃, K₂CO₃, CaCO₃, MgCO₃, Na₂SO₄, Al₂(SO₄)₃, BaSO₄, KNO₃, Mg(NO₃)₂, Al(NO₃)₃, Na₂O, K₂O, and Li₂O.

[0109] Such porous oxide may vary in the properties depending on the type and method for production. The support (c) has a particle size of 3 to 300 µm, preferably 10 to 300 µm, and more preferably 20 to 200 µm, a specific surface area in the range of 50 to 1000 m²/g, preferably 100 to 700 m²/g, and a pore volume preferably in the range of 0.3 to 3.0 cm³/g. Such support is calcined as necessary at 100 to 1000°C, and preferably 150 to 700°C, and used.

[0110] As the inorganic halide, MgCl₂, MgBr₂, MnCl₂, MnBr₂ are used. The inorganic chloride may be used directly, or may be used after grinding with a ball mill or a vibration mill. Furthermore, a halide obtained by dissolving the inorganic halide in a solvent such as alcohol, and then precipitating the compound into a microparticulate form using a precipitating agent, can also be used.

[0111]  The clay is usually constituted of a clay mineral as the main component. The ion exchangeable lamellar compound is a compound having a crystal structure in which the planes constituted of ionic bonding, are stacked on one another in parallel with weak bonding strength, and in which the ions contained can be exchanged. Most of the clay minerals are ion exchangeable lamellar compounds. The clay, clay mineral and ion exchangeable lamellar compound are not limited to natural products, and artificially synthesized products can also be used. Furthermore, examples of the clay, clay mineral or ion exchangeable lamellar compound include clays, clay minerals, and ion crystalline compounds having lamellar crystal structures such as hexagonal close packed type, antimony type, CdCl₂ type, and CdI₂ type.

[0112] Examples of the clay and clay mineral include kaolin, bentonite, kibushi clay, gairome clay, allophane, hisingerite, pyrophyllite, mica group, montmorillonite group, vermiculite, phyllite group, palygorskite, kaolinite, nacrite, dickite, and halloysite. Examples of the ion exchangeable layer compound include crystalline acid salts of multivalent metals such as α-Zr(HAsO₄)₂·H₂O, α-Zr(HPO₄)₂, α-Zr(KPO₄)₂·3H₂O, α-Ti(HPO₄)₂, α-Ti(HAsO₄)₂·H₂O, α-Sn(HPO₄)₂·H₂O, γ-Zr(HPO₄)₂, γ-Ti(HPO₄)₂, and γ-Ti (NH₄PO₄)₂·H₂O.

[0113] It is preferable for such clay, clay mineral or ion exchangeable lamellar compound that the volume of pores having a radius of 2 nm (20 Å) or more as measured by mercury porosimetry is preferably 0.1 cc/g or larger, and particularly preferably 0.3 to 5 cc/g. The pore volume is measured for the pore radius in the range of 2 to 3000 nm (20 to 3x10⁴ Å) according to the mercury porosimetry using the mercury porosimeter.

[0114] When a support having a pore volume with 2 nm (20 Å) radius or more of 0.1 cc/g or less is used, there is a tendency that high polymerization activity is hardly obtained.

[0115] The clay and clay mineral may preferably be subjected to a chemical treatment. Any of the chemical treatment such as a surface treatment which removes impurities attached on the surface, and treatments giving an effect on the crystal structure of the clay, can be used. Specific examples of the chemical treatment include an acid treatment, an alkali treatment, a treatment with salts, and a treatment with organic compound. The acid treatment removes impurities on a surface, and also increases the surface area by eluting a positive ion such as Al, Fe, and Mg in the crystal structure. The alkali treatment destroys the crystal structure of the clay, and brings a structural change in the clay. The treatment with salts and the treatment with organic compound form an ionic complex, molecular complex, organic derivative and can change the surface area and the interlayer distance.

[0116] The ion exchangeable lamellar compound may be a lamellar compound with the interlayer distance enlarged by exchanging the interlayer exchangeable ion with another bulky ion using its ion exchangeability. Such bulky ion plays a supportive role to support a lamellar structure, and is generally called as a pillar. Also, the introduction of other substance to the interlayer space of the lamellar compound is known as intercalation. Examples of the guest compound for intercalation include a positive ion inorganic compound such as TiCl₄ and ZrCl₄, a metal alkoxide (wherein R is a hydrocarbon group or the like) such as Ti (OR)₄, Zr(OR)₄, PO(OR)₃, and B(OR)₃, a metal hydroxide ion such as [Al₁₃O₄ (OH)₂₄]⁷⁺, [Zr₄(OH)₁₄]²⁺, and [Fe₃O(OCOCH₃)₆]⁺. These compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more species. When allowing these compounds to undergo intercalation, a polymer obtained by hydrolyzing metal alkoxide such as Si(OR)₄, Al(OR)₃ and Ge(OR)₄ (R's are each a hydrocarbon group), a colloidal inorganic compound such as SiO₂, can be allowed to coexist. Examples of the pillar include oxides produced by conducting thermal dehydration of the above-mentioned metal hydroxide ion after intercalation thereof. Among them, preferred are clays and clay minerals and particularly preferred are montmorillonite, vermiculite, pectolite, tainiolite, and synthetic mica.

[0117] The clays, clay minerals, and ion-exchangeable layer compounds may be used directly, or used after being subjected to a treatment with ball mill, screening or the like. Or alternatively, they may be used after adsorbing newly added water thereonto, or after being subjected to thermal dehydration treatment. They may be used alone or in combination of two or more species.

[0118] In the case of using an ion-exchangeable lamellar silicate, it is possible to reduce the amount of use of an organoaluminum oxy compound such as alkylaluminoxane, by using the ion exchangeable property and lamellar structure, in addition to the function as a support. Ion exchangeable lamellar silicate is mainly obtained in nature as a main component of a clay mineral, but without imposing any particular limitation to natural products, artificially synthesized products can also be used. Specific examples of the clay, the clay mineral, and ion exchangeable layer silicate include. kaolinite, montmorillonite, hectorite, bentonite, smectite, vermiculite, tiniolite, synthetic mica, and synthetic hectorite.

[0119] The organic compound may,be exemplified by a granular solid or a microparticulate solid having a particle size in the range of 3 to 300 µm, and preferably 10 to 300 µm. Specific examples thereof include (co) polymers produced from an α-olefin having 2 to 14 carbon atoms such as ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, and 4-methyl-1-pentene as the main component; a (co) polymer produced from vinylcyclohexane, styrene as the main component; and polymers or modified products having a polar functional group obtained by copolymerizing or graft polymerizing a polar monomer such as acrylic acid, acrylic ester and maleic acid anhydride, into the above-mentioned copolymer or a polymer. These particulate supports may be used alone or in combination of two or more species.

[0120] Furthermore, the catalyst for olefin polymerization of the present invention (1) may also contain a specific organic compound component (d) that will be described later according to necessity, along with the (a-1) bridged metallocene compound represented by the Formula [1-1], (b) at least one compound selected from (b-1) the organoaluminum oxy compound, (b-2) the compound which reacts with the bridged metallocene compound (a-1) to form an ion pair, and (b-3) the organoaluminum compound, and optional (c) the support.

(d) Organic compound component

[0121] In the present invention, the organic compound component (d) (in the present specification, may be referred to as "component (d) ") is used if needed, for the purpose of improving the polymerization performance and properties of the produced obtained. Such organic compound component (d) is exemplified by alcohols, phenolic compounds, carboxylic acids, phosphorus compounds, sulfonates but the compound is not limited to these.

[0122] In the present invention (1), the method of using each component, and the order of addition are arbitrarily selected, and the following methods may be mentioned as the methods of polymerization.

(1) A method comprising adding the component (a-1) alone into the polymerization vessel.

(2) A method comprising adding the component (a-1) and component (b) into the polymerization vessel in an arbitrary order.

(3) A method comprising adding a catalyst component in which the component (a-1) is supported on the support (c), and the component (b) into the polymerization vessel in an arbitrary order.

(4) A method comprising adding a catalyst component in which the component (b) is supported on the support (c), and the component (a-1) into the polymerization vessel in an arbitrary order.

(5) A method comprising adding a catalyst component in which the component (a-1) and the component (b) are supported on the support (c) into the polymerization vessel.

[0123] In the respective methods of (2) to (5) described above, at least two or more of the catalyst components may be brought into contact with each other in advance.

[0124] In the respective methods of (4) and (5) described above using supported component (b), unsupported component (b) may be added in any order, as necessary. In this case, the components (b) may be identical to or different from each other.

[0125] Furthermore, the solid catalyst component having the component (a-1) supported on the component (c), and the solid catalyst component having the component (a-1) and component (b) supported on the component (c) may have a prepolymerized olefin, or a prepolymerized solid catalyst component may further have the catalyst component supported thereon.

[0126] In the method for polymerizing olefin of the present invention (1), olefin is polymerized or copolymerized in the presence of the catalyst for olefin polymerization as described above, to obtain an olefin polymer.

[0127] In the present invention (1), polymerization can be carried out by any of a liquid phase polymerization method such as a solution polymerization, and a suspension polymerization, and a gas phase polymerization method. Specific examples of the inert hydrocarbon medium used in the liquid phase polymerization method include aliphatic hydrocarbons such as propane, butane, pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, decane, dodecane, and kerosene; alicyclic hydrocarbons such as cyclopentane, cyclohexane, and methylcyclopentane; aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylene; halogenated hydrocarbons such as ethylene chloride, chlorobenzene, and dichloromethane, and mixtures thereof. The olefin to be polymerized may also be used per se as the solvent.

[0128] When polymerization of olefin is performed using the catalyst for olefin polymerization as described above, the component (a-1) is usually used in an amount of 10^-9 to 10^-1 moles, and preferably 10^-8 to 10^-2 moles, per liter of the reaction volume.

[0129] The component (b-1) is used in an amount such that the molar ratio [(b-1)/M] of the component (b-1) and the total transition metal atoms (M) in the component (a-1) is usually 0.01 to 5,000, and preferably 0.05 to 2,000. The component (b-2) is used in an amount such that the molar ratio [(b-2)/M] of the component (b-2) and the transition metal atoms (M) in the component (a-1) is usually 1 to 10, and preferably 1 to 5. The component (b-3) is used in an amount such that the molar ratio [(b-3)/M] of the aluminum atoms in the component (b-3) and the total transition metal (M) in the component (a-1) is usually 10 to 5,000, and preferably 20 to 2,000.

[0130] The component (d) is used, in the case where the component (b) is component (b-1), in an amount such that the molar ratio [(d)/(b-1)] is usually 0.01 to 10, and preferably 0.1 to 5; in the case where the component (b) is component (b-2), in an amount such that the molar ratio [(d)/(b-2)] is usually 0.01 to 10, and preferably 0.1 to 5; in the case where the component (b) is component (b-3), the molar ratio [(d)/(b-3)] is usually 0.01 to 2, and preferably 0.005 to 1.

[0131] The temperature for olefin polymerization using the catalyst for olefin polymerization is within the range from 0 to 170°C, preferably from 25 to 170°C, and even more preferably from 40 to 170°C. The polymerization pressure is under the condition of generally from normal pressure to 10 MPa gauge pressure, and preferably from normal pressure to 5 MPa gauge pressure, and the polymerization reaction can be carried out either batchwise, semicontinuously or continuously. The polymerization can be carried out by dividing the process into two or more stages having different reaction conditions. The molecular weight of the resulting propylene polymer can be also regulated by allowing hydrogen to exist in the polymerization system or by varying the polymerization temperature. Moreover, the molecule weight can be regulated according to the amount of the component (b) used. When adding hydrogen, the suitable amount to be added is from about 0.001 to 100 NL per 1 kg of the olefin.

[0132] In the present invention (1), the olefin supplied to the polymerization reaction is one or more monomers selected from α-olefins having two or more carbon atoms. The α-olefin is a straight-chained or branched α-olefin having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and is exemplified by ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 2-butene, 1-pentene, 3-methyl-1-butene, 1-hexene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 3-methyl-1-pentene, 1-octene, 1-decene, 1-dodecene, 1-tetradecene, 1-hexadecene, 1-octadecene, 1-eicosene.

[0133] In the method of polymerization of the present invention (1), there may be used cyclic olefins having 3 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 3 to 20 carbon atoms, such as cyclopentene, cycloheptene, norbornene, 5-methyl-2-norbornene, tetracyclododecene and 2-methyl-1,4,5,8-dimethano-1,2,3,4,4a,5,8,8a-octahydronapht halene;
polar monomers, for example, α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, fumaric acid, maleic anhydride, itaconic acid, itaconic anhydride and bicyclo(2,2,1)-5-heptene-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride, and metal salts thereof such as sodium salt, potassium salt, lithium salt, zinc salt, magnesium salt, calcium salt and aluminum salt;
α,β-unsaturated carboxylic esters such as methyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, n-propyl acrylate, isopropyl acrylate; n-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, tert-butyl acrylate, 2-n-butylhexyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, n-propyl methacrylate, isopropyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate and isobutyl methacrylate;
vinyl esters such as vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl caproate, vinyl caprate, vinyl laurate, vinyl stearate and vinyl trifluoroacetate;
unsaturated glycidyls such as glycidyl acrylate, glycidyl methacrylate and itaconic acid monoglycidyl ester.

[0134] Furthermore, vinylcyclohexane, dienes and polyenes;
aromatic vinyl compounds, for example, mono- or polyalkylstryenes such as styrene, o-methylstyrene, m-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, o,p-dimethylstyrene, o-n-butylstyrene, m-n-butylstyrene, and p-n-butylstyrene;
styrene derivatives containing a functional group, such as methoxystyrene, ethoxystyrene, vinyl benzoate, methylvinyl benzoate, vinylbenzyl acetate, hydroxystyrene, o-chlorostyrene, p-chlorostyrene and divinyl benzene; and
3-phenylpropylene, 4-phenylpropylene, α-methylstyrene may be allowed to coexist in the reaction system to facilitate the polymerization.

[0135] The method for production of the present invention (1) can be used, for example, in the production of a polymer comprising 100 to 90 mol%, preferably 100 to 91 mol%, and more preferably 100 to 96 mol%, of constituent units derived from one monomer (for example, propylene) selected from α-olefins having 3 to 20 carbon atoms; and 10 to 0 mol%, preferably 9 to 0 mol%, and more preferably 4 to 0 mol%, of constituent units derived from one or more selected from α-olefins having 2 to 20 carbon atoms (excluding propylene), which monomer is different from the above-described monomer. Examples thereof include production of propylene homopolymer. Such α-olefin polymer has a syndiotactic structure, and for example, its rrrr value measured by the method that will be described later is preferably 70% or greater, and preferably 85% or greater.

[0136] The method for production of the present invention (1) can be used, for example, in the production of a polymer comprising 100 to 50 mol% of constituent units derived from ethylene, and 50 to 0 mol% of constituent units derived from one or more monomers selected from α-olefins having 3 to 20 carbon atoms. Examples thereof include production of ethylene homopolymer.

[0137] The method for production of the present invention (1) can also be used in the production of other polymers.

[0138] Next, methods for measuring the properties of the polymer obtained by the polymerization of olefin in the presence of a catalyst containing a transition metal compound of the present invention (1), will be described.

[Intrinsic viscosity ([η])]

[0139] It is a value measured at 135°C using a decalin solvent. Specifically, about 20 mg of granulated pellets are dissolved in 15 ml of decalin, and the specific viscosity ηsp is measured in an oil bath at 135°C. 5 ml of the decalin solvent is added to this decalin solution for dilution, and than the specific viscosity ηsp is measured in the same manner. This dilution operation is additionally repeated two times, and the value of ηsp/C of when the concentration (C) is extrapolated to 0 is determined as the intrinsic viscosity.

[Melting point (Tm)]

[0140] A polymer sample maintained at 200°C for 10 minutes is cooled to 30°C, maintained for 5 minutes, and then heated at a rate of 10°C/min by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the melting point is calculated from the crystal melting peak obtained therefrom. For the propylene polymer described in Example I here, one or two peaks are observed, and when two peaks are detected, the peak on the lower temperature side is indicated as Tm₁, and the peak on the higher temperature side is indicated as Tm₂. If there is one peak, the peak is indicated as Tm₂.

[0141] Furthermore, the stereoregularity (rrrr) is calculated from the determination of ¹³C-NMR spectrum.

[0142] The rrrr fraction is determined from the absorption intensities of Prrrr (absorption intensity resulting from the methyl group of the third unit at a site of 5 propylene units being sequentially syndiotactically bound) and Pw (absorption intensity resulting from all the methyl groups of propylene units), by the following formula (1).

NMR measurement is carried out, for example, in the following manner. Specifically, 0.35 g of a sample is heated to melt in 2.0 ml of hexachlorobutadiene. This solution is filtered through a glass filter (G2), subsequently, 0.5 ml of deuterated benzene is added, and the mixture is placed in an NMR tube having an internal diameter of 10 mm. Then, ¹³C-NMR-measurement is performed at 120°C using a GX-500 type NMR measuring apparatus manufactured by JEOL, Ltd. The accumulation times are 10,000 or greater.

EXAMPLES

[0143] Hereinafter, the present invention (1) will be described in more detail with reference to [Example I].

[EXAMPLE I]

[0144] Hereinafter, the present invention (1) will be described in more detail based on Synthesis Examples and Examples. The methods described in the following patent documents were used for synthesizing dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, cyclohexylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(octamethyloctahydrodibenzofluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, cyclohexylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(octamethyloctahydrodibenzofluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, dimethylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(octamethyloctahydrodibenzofluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and diphenylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(octamethyloctahydrodibenzofluorenyl)zirconium dichloride.

JP-A No. 2000-212194,

JP-A No. 2004-168744,

JP-A No. 2004-189666.

[0145] The structures of the compounds obtained in Synthesis Examples were determined using 270 MHz ¹H-NMR (JEOL LTD. GSH-270), FD-mass analysis (JEOL LTD. SX-102 A) and the like.

[Synthesis Example 1-1]

Synthesis of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

(i) Synthesis of 2,7-dibromo-3,6-ditert-butylfluorene

[0146] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a 300-mL three-necked flask was charged with 15.22 g (54.7 mmol) of 3,6-ditert-butylfluorene synthesized according to the method described in Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn.,59, 97 (1986) and 170 mL of propylene carbonate, and the mixture was stirred. To this solution, 20.52 g (115mmol) of N-bromosuccinimide was added, and the mixture was heated and stirred at 80°C for 5 hours. Subsequently, the mixture was left to be naturally cooled. The reaction solution was added to 800 mL of water, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes. Then, solids precipitated were separated by filtration. The solids obtained were washed 5 times with 10 mL of ethanol. Subsequently, a mixture solution of n-hexane and a small amount of dichloromethane was added to the solids, and the mixture was heated to 60°C to dissolve the solids completely. The resultant solution was left to stand overnight at -20°C. Crystals precipitated were washed 3 times with 5 mL of hexane to obtain a target product (yield 21.16 g (76%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0147] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS) : δ/ppm1.60 (s, tBu(Flu), 18H), 3.75 (s, Flu-9H, 2H), 7.73 (s, Flu, 2H), 7.81 (s, Flu, 2H).

[0148] MS (FD) : M/z 436 (M⁺).

(ii) Synthesis of 2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorene

[0149] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a 300-mL three-necked flask was charged with 8.15 g (18.7 mmol) of 2,7-dibromo-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorene and 1.08 g (0.93 mmol) of Pd(PPh₃), and further charged with 120 mL of dehydrated 1,2-dimethoxyethane. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20 minutes. To this solution, 20 mL of an ethanol solution in which 5.01 g (41.1 mmol) of phenylboric acid was dissolved was added, and the mixture was then stirred at room temperature for 20 minutes. Thereafter, 37.4 mL (74.8 mmol) of a 2.0 mol/L aqueous solution of sodium carbonate was added. Subsequently, the mixture was heated to reflux for 18 hours, left to be naturally cooled, and quenched with dilute hydrochloric acid in an ice bath. Thereafter, ether was added to extract the soluble fraction, and the organic layer was washed two times with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, two times with water, and two times with saturated brine, and then dried over magnesium sulfate. Subsequently, the solvent was distilled off, and the resulting solids were subjected to separation by column chromatography to obtain a target product (yield 4.36 g (54%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0150] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS) : δ/ppm 1.29 (s, tBu(Flu), 18H), 3.78 (s, Flu-9H, 2H), 7.16 (s, Flu, 2H), 7.34 (br, PhFlu, 10H), 7.97 (s, Flu, 2H).

[0151] MS (FD) : M/z 430(M⁺).

(iii) Synthesis of 6,6-dibenzofulvene

[0152] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a 500-mL three-necked flask was charged with 8.0 g (121 mmol) of cyclopentadiene and 100 mL of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran, and the mixture was stirred. This mixed solution was cooled in an ice bath, and 80 mL (125.6 mmol) of a 1. 57 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was then added. Thereafter, the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. The resulting white slurry was cooled in an ice bath, and then a solution prepared by dissolving 25.0 g (118 mmol) of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propanone in 50 mL of dehydrate tetrahydrofuran was added. Subsequently, the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 12 hours. The resulting yellow solution was quenched with a saturated aqueous solution of ammonium chloride. The soluble fraction was extracted with 100 mL of n-hexane, and this organic phase was washed with water and saturated brine, and then dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off, and the residue was purified by column chromatography to obtain a target product as a yellow solid (yield 3.7 g (12%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR.

[0153] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃,TMS) : δ/ppm3.69 (s, PhCH₂, 4H), 6.60-6.72 (m, Cp, 4H), 7.13-7.32 (m, PhCH₂, 10H).

(iv) Synthesis of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorene)

[0154] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, mL of dehydrate tetrahydrofuran was added to 1.60 g (3.71 mmol) of 2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorene, and the mixture was stirred. This solution was cooled in an ice bath, and 2.65 mL (4.13 mmol) of a 1.56 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The resulting red solution was cooled to -78°C in a dry ice-methanol bath, a solution of 1.06 g (4.10 mmol) prepared by dissolving 6,6-dibenzofulvene in 20 mL of tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise over 20 minutes. Subsequently, the mixture was stirred for 18 hours while gradually warming to room temperature. To the resulting red-black solution, 60 mL of 1 N hydrochloric acid was added to terminate the reaction. 80 mL of diethyl ether was added to perform liquid-liquid phase separation, and the soluble fraction was extracted. This organic layer was washed two times with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, two times with water, and once with saturated brine, and then dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off, and the residue was purified by silica gel chromatography to obtain a target product as a pale yellow powder (yield 0. 59 g (23%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0155] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS) : δ/ppm 1.25 (s, tBu(Flu), 18H), 2.66 (br, CpH, 1H), 3.22 (br, CH₂Ph, 4H), 4.41 (br, Flu-9H, 1H), 5.85-6.51 (m, Cp, 4H), 6.82-7.40 (m, Ph (Flu) and CH₂Ph and Flu, 22H), 7.67 (s, Flu, 2H).

[0156] MS (FD) : M/z 688 (M⁺).

(v) Synthesis of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

[0157] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a 100-mL Schlenk flask was charged with 0.59 g (0.855 mmol) of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorene) and 40 mL of dehydrated diethyl ether, and the mixture was stirred. This mixed slurry solution was cooled in an ice bath, and 1.21 mL (1.88 mmol) of a 1.56 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added. The mixture was stirred for 45 hours while gradually warming to room temperature. The resulting red reaction solution was cooled to -78°C in a dry ice/methanol bath, and then 0.200 g (0.858 mmol) of zirconium tetrachloride was added. Subsequently, the mixture was stirred for 42 hours while gradually warming to room temperature to obtain a red-orange suspension. The solvent was removed by distillation under reduced pressure. Under a nitrogen atmosphere, the residue was dissolved in n-hexane, and the liquid was passed through a glass filter filled with Celite, insolubles were washed n-hexane, and the orange colored powder insoluble in n-hexane was subjected to extraction with dichloromethane. The solvent in which the dichloromethane-solubles were dissolved was distilled off. The residue was washed with diethyl ether/cold n-pentane and dried to obtain a target product as an orange-colored powder (yield 515 mg (71%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0158] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS) : δ/ppm1.30 (s, tBu(Flu), 18H), 3.82 (d, J=15.5 Hz, CH₂Ph, 2H), 3. 93 (d, J=15. 5 Hz, CH₂Ph, 2H), 5.80 (t, J=2.6Hz, Cp, 2H), 6.25 (t, J=2.6Hz, Cp, 2H), 6.97-7.34 (m, Ph(Flu) and CH₂Ph, 20H), 7.37 (s, Flu, 2H), 8.32 (s, Flu, 2H).

[0159] MS (FD) : M/z 848(M⁺).

[Synthesis Example 1-2]

Synthesis of di(n-butyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

(i) Synthesis of 6,6-di(n-butyl)fulvene

[0160] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a 200-mL three-necked flask was charged with 15 mL of methanol and 11.8 mL (146 mmol) of pyrrolidine. The mixture was cooled in an ice bath. Subsequently, 20.21 g (144 mmol) of 5-nonanone and 11.0 mL (146 mmol) of cyclopentadiene were added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 22 hours. 100 mL of diethyl ether and 100 mL of water were added to extract the soluble fraction. This organic layer was washed two times with water and once with saturated brine, and dried over magnesiumsulfate. The solvent was distilled off, and the residue was purified by column chromatography to obtain a target product as a yellow oil (yield 22.53 g (82%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR.

[0161] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS) : δ/ppm 0.93 (t, J=7.3 Hz, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃,6H), 1.38 (sex, J=7.3 Hz, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃,4H), 1.53 (quin, J=7.3 Hz, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃,4H), 2.53 (t, J=7.3 Hz, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃,4H), 6.40-6.57 (m, Cp, 4H).

(ii) Synthesis of di(n-butyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorene)

[0162] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, 30 mL of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran was added to 1.51 g (3.51 mmol) of 2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorene synthesized in Synthesis Example 1-1 (ii), and the mixture was stirred. This solution was cooled in an ice bath, and 2.50 mL (3.90 mmol) of a 1.56 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The resulting dark red solution was cooled to -78°C in a dry ice/methanol bath, and a tetrahydrofuran solution prepared by dissolving 0.757 g (3.98 mmol) of 6, 6-di (n-butyl) fulvene in 15 mL of tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise over 15 minutes. Subsequently, the mixture was stirred for 18 hours while gradually warming to room temperature. 50 mL of 1 N hydrochloric acid was added to the resulting red solution to terminate the reaction. 100 mL of diethyl ether was added to perform liquid-liquid phase separation, and the soluble fraction was extracted. This organic layer was washed two times with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, two times with water and once with saturated brine, and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off, and the residue was recrystallized from hexane to obtain a target product as a white powder (yield 1.54 g (70%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0163] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃,TMS): δ/ppm 0.72 (t, J=7.3 Hz, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃,6H), 0.86-1.24 (m, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃,8H), 1.26 (s, tBu(Flu), 18H), 1.57-1.72 (m, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃,4H), 2.68 (br, CpH, 1H), 3. 97 (br, Flu-9H, 1H), 5.70-6.55 (m, Cp, 4H), 6.78 (s, Flu, 2H), 7.15-7.50 (m, Ph(Flu), 10H), 7.81 (s, Flu, 2H).

[0164] MS (FD) : M/z 620 (M⁺).

(iii) Synthesis of di(n-butyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

[0165] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a 100-mL Schlenk flask was charged with 0.71 g (1.15 mmol) of di(n-butyl)methylene,(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorene) and 30 mL of dehydrated diethyl ether, and the mixture was stirred. This mixed slurry solution was cooled in an ice bath, 1.62 mL (2.53 mmol) of a 1.56 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added. The mixture was stirred for 47 hours while gradually warming to room temperature. The resulting red-orange reaction solution was cooled to -78°C in a dry ice/methanol bath, and then 0.265 g (1.14 mmol) of zirconium tetrachloride was added. Subsequently, the mixture was stirred for 42 hours while gradually warming to room temperature to obtain a red suspension. The solvent was removed by distillation under reduced pressure. Under a nitrogen atmosphere, the residue was dissolved in n-hexane, and the mixture was passed through a glass filter filled with Celite, insolubles were washed with n-hexane and the red powder insoluble in n-hexane was subjected to extraction with dichloromethane. The solvent in which the dichloromethane-solubles was dissolved was distilled off. The residue was recrystallized from dichloromethane/n-hexane to obtain a target product as an orange-colored powder (yield 217 mg (24%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0166] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃,TMS): δ/ppm 0.82 (t, J=7.3 Hz, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃,6H), 1.12-1.70 (m, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃,8H), 1.24 (s, tBu(Flu), 18H), 2.30-2.60 (m, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃,4H), 5.53 (t, J=2.6 Hz, Cp, 2H), 6.26 (t, J=2.6 Hz, Cp, 2H), 7.15-7.40 (m, Ph(Flu) and Flu, 12H), 8.19 (s, Flu, 2H).

[0167] MS (FD) : M/z 780(M⁺).

[Synthesis Example 1-3]

Synthesis of di(n-butyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

(i) Synthesis of 2,7-dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorene

[0168] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, 100 mL of dehydrated tertbutyl methyl ether was added to 5.03 g (11.5 mmol) of 2,7-dibromo-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorene synthesized in Synthesis Example 1-1 (i) and 0.196 g (0.24 mmol) of PdCl₂(dppf) · CH₂Cl₂, and the mixture was stirred. This solution was cooled in an ice bath, and 19. 2 mL (57. 6 mmmol) of a 3 mol/L diethyl ether solution of methyl magnesium bromide was added dropwise over 15 minutes. The mixture was heated to reflux for 5 days. The mixture was left to be naturally cooled, and 1 N hydrochloric acid was then added dropwise in an ice bath to terminate the reaction. Diethyl ether was added to perform liquid-liquid phase separation, and the organic layer was washed two times with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, two times with water, and once with saturated brine, and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off, and the residue was subjected to separation by silica gel chromatography to obtain a target product as a white powder (yield 2.07 g (63%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR.

[0169] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS) : δ/ppm 1.50 (s, tBu(Flu), 18H), 2.60 (s, Me(Flu), 6H), 7.26 (s, Flu, 2H), 7.75 (s, Flu, 2H).

(ii) Synthesis of di(n-butyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorene)

[0170] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, dehydrated tetrahydrofuran was added to 0.783 g (2.55 mmol) of 2,7-dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorene, and the mixture was stirred. This solution was cooled in an ice bath, and 1.85 mL (2.85 mmol) of a 1.54 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The resulting orange-colored solution was cooled to -78°c in a dry ice/methanol bath, and a solution prepared by dissolving 0.571 g (3.00 mmol) of 6,6-di(n-butyl)fulvene synthesized in Synthesis Example 1-2 (i) in 15 mL of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise over 20 minutes, and the mixture was stirred for 2 hours. 100 mL of 1 N hydrochloric acid was added to the resulting orange-colored solution to terminate the reaction. 100 mL of diethyl ether was added to perform liquid-liquid phase separation, and the soluble fraction was extracted. This organic layer was washed two times with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, two times with water, and once with saturated brine, and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off, and the residue was recrystallized from diethyl ether/methanol to obtain a target product as a white powder (yield 0.63 g (50%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0171]  ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS): δ/ppm 0.76 (t, J=7.3 Hz, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃, 6H), 0.80-1.90 (m, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃, 10H), 1.46 (s, tBu(Flu), 18H), 2.50 (s, Me(Flu),6H), 3.00 (br, CpH, 1H), 4.01 (br, Flu-9H, 1H), 5.85-6.70 (m, Cp, 4H), 6.93 (s, Flu, 2H), 7.60 (s, Flu, 2H).

[0172] MS (FD) : M/z 496 (M⁺).

(iii) Synthesis of di(n-butyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

[0173] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a 100-mL Schlenk flask was charged with 0.614 g (1.24 mmol) of di(n-butyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorene) and 30 mL of dehydrated diethyl ether, and the mixture was stirred. This mixed slurry solution was cooled in an ice bath, 1.78 mL (2.74 mmol) of a 1.54 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added, and the mixture was stirred for 16 hours while gradually warming to room temperature. This red orange reaction solution was cooled to -78°C in a dry ice/methanol bath, and then 0.239 g (1.02 mmol) of zirconium tetrachloride was added. Subsequently, the mixture was stirred for 22 hours while gradually warming to room temperature to obtain a red brown suspension. The solvent was removed by distillation under reduced pressure. Under a nitrogen atmosphere, the residue was dissolved in n-hexane, and the mixture was passed through a glass filter filled with Celite, insolubles were washed with n-hexane and a red powder insoluble in n-hexane was subjected to extraction with dichloromethane. The solvent in which the dichloromethane-solubles were dissolved was distilled off. The residue was recrystallized from dichloromethane/n-hexane to obtain a target product as an orange-colored powder (yield 28 6 mg (41%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0174] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃,TMS): δ/ppm 0.99 (t, J=7.3 Hz, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃, 6H), 1.30-1.78 (m, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃, 8H), 1.46 (s, tBu(Flu), 18H), 2.53 (s, Me(Flu), 2.60-2.80 (m, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃, 4H), 5.60 (t, J=2.6 Hz, Cp, 2H), 6.21 (t, J=2.6 Hz, Cp, 2H), 7.38 (s, Flu, 2H), 7.95 (s, Flu, 2H).

[0175] MS (FD) : M/z 656 (M⁺).

[Synthesis Example 1-4]

Synthesis of di(p-chlorophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

(i) Synthesis of 6,6-di(p-chlorophenyl)fulvene

[0176] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a reaction vessel equipped with a dropping funnel was charged with 40 mL of dry tetrahydrofuran and 2.15 mL (25.89 mmol) of cyclopentadiene. While cooling this solution to 0°C, 18 mL (28.47 mmol) of a 1.58 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was slowly added dropwise and the mixture was stirred. Subsequently, a dropping funnel was charged with a solution prepared by dissolving 5.00 g (19.91 mmol) of 4,4'-dichlorobenzophenone in 30 mL of tetrahydrofuran, and the solution was slowly added dropwise. The mixture was left to be stand so that the temperature of the mixture was at room temperature, and stirred for one day. This reaction solution was then subjected to extraction with diethyl ether. The organic layer was washed with 1 N hydrochloric acid, a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate and saturated brine, and then dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed by distillation under reduce pressure. The residue was purified by using a silica gel column to obtain a target product (yield 3.37 g (57%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR.

[0177] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃,TMS): δ/ppm 6.21-6.24(m, 2H), 6.60-6.63 (m, 2H), 7.23(d, 2H, J =8.1 Hz), 7.37(d, 2H, J =8.6 Hz).

(ii) Synthesis of di-(p-chlorophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl -3,6-ditert-butylfluorene).

[0178] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a 200-mL three-necked flask was charged with 3.5 g (8.1 mmol) of 2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorene synthesized in Synthesis Example 1-1 (ii) and 100 mL of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran , and the mixture was stirred. This solution was cooled to -78°C in a dry ice/methanol bath, and 5.7 mL (8.87 mmol) of a 1.56 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added dropwise. Subsequently, the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. The resulting solution was cooled again to -40°C, a tetrahydrofuran solution of 2.22 g (7.39 mmol) of 6,6-di(p-chlorophenyl)fulvene was added dropwise, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. Subsequently, the solution was quenched with an aqueous solution of dilute hydrochloric acid. 100 mL of n-hexane was added to the reaction solution to extract the soluble fraction, and this organic layer was washed with a saturated solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, water and saturated brine, and dried over magnesium sulfate. Subsequently, the solvent was concentrated, and then the residue was washed with n-hexane and methanol to obtain a target product (yield 3.2 g (54%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0179] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS) : δ/ppm 1.2 (s, 18H), 2.9 (s, 2H), 5.2(s, 1H), 6.0(d, 1H), 6.2(d, 1H), 6.3(s, 1H), 6.6(s, 2H), 6.9 (s, 10H), 7.2-7.4 (m+s, 8H), 7.6 (s, 2H),

[0180] MS (FD) : M/z 729 (M⁺)

(iii) Synthesis of di(p-chlorophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-di-tert butyl-fluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

[0181] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a 100-mL Schlenk flask was charged with 60 mL of dehydrate diethyl ether and 1.0 g (1.4 mmol) of di(p-chlorophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorene), and the mixture was stirred. This solution was cooled to -78°C in a dry ice/methanol bath, and 1.8 mL (2.88 mmol) of a 1.56 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added dropwise, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20 hours. Subsequently, the mixture was cooled to -60°C in a dry ice/methanol bath, and then 0.37 g (1.59 mmol) of zirconium tetrachloride was added. The mixture was then stirred at room temperature for 20 hours. The solvent was removed by distillation under reduced pressure, the residue was subjected to extraction with n-hexane and dichloromethane under a nitrogen atmosphere, and the residue was recrystallized from the respective solutions to obtain a target product (yield 0.47 g (38%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0182] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS): δ/ppm 1.2(s, 18H), 5.4(m, 2H), 5.8(s, 2H), 6.3(m, 2H),7-7.2(s+m+m, 6H), 7.5-7.7(m, 12H), 8.3(s, 2H)

[0183] MS (FD) :M/z 888 (M⁺)

[Synthesis Example 1-5]

Synthesis of di(p-chlorophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

(i) Synthesis of di(p-chlorophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorene)

[0184] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a 200-mL three-necked flask was charged with 2.6 g (8.48 mmol) of 2,7-dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorene synthesized in Synthesis Example 1-3 (i) and 100 mL of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran, and the mixture was stirred. This mixed solution was cooled in an ice bath to -78°C, and 5.7 mL (8.9 mmol) of a 1.56 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added dropwise. Thereafter, the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. Then, solution thus obtained was cooled to -40°C in a dry ice/methanol bath, 60 mL of a tetrahydrofuran solution in which 2.78 g (9.33 mmol) of 6,6-di(p-chlorophenyl)fulvene synthesized in Synthesis Example 1-4 (i) was dissolved was added dropwise. Subsequently, the mixture was stirred for 1 hour while gradually warming to room temperature. To the reaction solution, 100 mL of 1N hydrochloric acid and 100 mL of n-hexane was sequentially added to extract the soluble fraction. This organic layer was washed with water and saturated brine, and then dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off, and the residue was recrystallized from n-hexane to obtain a target product (yield 4.4 g (86%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0185] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS) : δ/ppm 1.3(s, 18H), 2.3 (s, 6H),3.0(s, 2H), 5.2(s, 2H), 6.1-6.3(s, 4H), 6.7(s, 2H), 7.0 (s, 6H), 7.4(s, 2H)

[0186] MS (FD):M/z 604 (M⁺)

(ii) Synthesis of di(p-chlorophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

[0187] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a 100-mL Schlenk flask was charged with 1.0 g (1.65 mmol) of di(p-chlorophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorene) and 50 mL of dehydrated diethyl ether , and the mixture was stirred. This mixed slurry solution was cooled to -40°C in an dry ice/methanol bath, and 2.2 mL (3.38 mmol) of a 1.56 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was then added. The mixture was stirred for 22 hours while gradually warming to room temperature. This reaction solution was cooled to -78°C in a dry ice/methanol bath, and then 0.38 g (1.65 mmol) of zirconium tetrachloride was added. Subsequently, the mixture was stirred for 20 hours while gradually warming to room temperature. The solvent was removed by distillation under reduced pressure. Under a nitrogen atmosphere, about 30 mL of n-hexane was added, and the mixture was stirred. The insolubles were removed by filtration through celite. Subsequently, the insolubles were dissolved in dichloromethane and the insolubles were removed by filtration through celite. The n-hexane extract was concentrated, and then the solids precipitated were washed with n-hexane and n-pentane to obtain a target product (yield 0.122 g (10%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0188] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS): δ/ppm 1.5(s, 18H), 2.3(s, 6H), 5.6(m, 2H), 6.0(m, 2H),6.3(m, 2H), 7.3(dd, 2H), 7.4(dd, 2H),7.7(dd, 2H), 7.8(dd, 2H),8.1(s, 2H)

[0189] MS (FD) : M/z 764(M⁺)

[Synthesis Example 1-6]

Synthesis of di(m-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7 -dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

(i) Synthesis of 6,6-di(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)fulvene

[0190] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, 2.08 mL (25.14 mmol) of cyclopentadiene was added to 70 mL of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran, and the mixture was stirred. This solution was cooled to 0°C, and 16.3 mL (25.77 mmol) of a 1.58 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20 hours. The resultant solution was again cooled to 0°C, and 4.08 g (12.6 mmol) of 3,3'-ditrifluoromethyl benzophenone in 30 mL of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise over 15 minutes. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2.5 hours, and 1N hydrochloric acid was added to terminate the reaction. A liquid-liquid phase separation was performed, and the aqueous layer was subj ected to extraction with diethyl ether twice. The resultant was then combined with the organic layer obtained previously. The resulting liquid was washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, water, and saturated brine, and then dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off, and the resultant was subjected to separation by silica gel chromatography to obtain a target product (yield 1.2 g (26%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0191] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS): δ/ppm 6.17-6.21(m, 2H), 6.64-6.66(m, 2H), 7.44-7.58(m, 6H), 7.68(d, 2H).

[0192] MS (FD) :m/z 366 (M⁺).

(ii) Synthesis of di(m-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7 -dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorene)

[0193] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a 300-mL three-necked flask was charged with 2.1 g (6.85 mmol) of 2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorene synthesized in Synthesis Example 1-1 (ii) and 60 mL of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran, and the mixture was stirred. This solution was cooled to 0°C, and 4.83 mL (7.5 mmol) of a 1.56 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added. Thereafter, the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The solution thus obtained was cooled to -78°C in a dry ice/methanol bath, and 2.39 g (6.52 mmol) of 6,6'-di(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)fulvene in 50 mL of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise over 15 minutes. The mixture was stirred for 10 minutes, and 1N hydrochloric acid was added to the reaction solution to terminate the reaction. An oil-liquid separation was performed, and the aqueous layer was extracted twice with 50 mL of diethyl ether. The resultant was then combined with the organic layer obtained previously. The resulting liquid was washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, water, and saturated brine, and then dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off, and 4 .8 g of the residue was dissolved in 15 mL of dichloromethane. The liquid was then added dropwise to 300 mL of methanol. The methanol solution was cooled to 0°C, and the resulting crystals were separated by filtration to obtain a target product (yield 2. 3 g (50%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0194] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃,TMS): δ/ppm 1.37 (s, 18H), 2.35 (s, 6H) 3.16 (s, 1H), 5.30 (s, 1H), 6.38-6.52 (m, 2H), 6.86 (m, 2H), 7.06-7.28 (m, 12H).

[0195] MS (FD) :m/z 673 (M⁺).

(iii) Synthesis of di(m-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(,2,7 -dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

[0196] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a 100-mL Schlenk flask was charged with 0.672 g (1 mmol) of di(m-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7 -dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorene) and 40 mL of dehydrated diethyl ether, and the mixture was stirred. This solution was cooled to -78°C in a dry ice/methanol bath, and 1.3 mL (2.05 mmol) of a 1. 56 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 19 hours until the clouded solution becomes a clear orange color. This reaction solution was cooled again to -78°C in a dry ice/methanol bath, and then 0.23 g (1 mmol) of zirconium tetrachloride was added. Subsequently, the mixture was stirred for 23 hours while gradually warming to room temperature. The solvent was then removed by distillation under reduced pressure. Subsequently, about 50 mL of n-hexane was added under a nitrogen atmosphere and insolubles were removed by a filtration through celite. The n-hexane solution thus obtained was concentrated to about 5 mL and left to stand at -18°C for 24 hours. The solids precipitated were separated by filtration, and washed with n-hexane and n-pentane to obtain a target product as an orange powder (yield 0.2 g (24%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0197] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS): δ/ppm 1.44 (s, 18H), 2.20 (s, 6H), 5.59 (d, 2H), 5.80 (m, 2H), 6.31 (m, 2H), 7.19-8.14 (m, 10H).

[0198] MS (FD) :m/z 833 (M⁺).

[Synthesis Example 1-7]

Synthesis of cyclohexylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

(i) Synthesis of cyclohexylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorene)

[0199] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, 30 mL of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran was added to 1.14 g (2.65 mmol) of 2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorene synthesized in Synthesis Example 1-1(ii), and the mixture was stirred. This solution was cooled in an ice bath, and 1.90 mL (2.96 mmol) of a 1.56 mol/L hexane solution n-butyllithium was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The resulting dark red solution was cooled to -78°C in a dry ice/methanol bath, and a solution prepared by dissolving 0.49 g (3.35 mmol) of cyclohexylfulvene, which was synthesized according to a method described in JP-A No. 2000-26490, in 20 mL of tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise over 15 minutes. Subsequently, the mixture was stirred for 19 hours while gradually warming to room temperature. 30 mL of 1 N hydrochloric acid was added to the resulting dark red solution to terminate the reaction. 100 mL of diethyl ether was added to perform liquid-liquid phase separation, and the soluble fraction was extracted. This organic layer was washed two times with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, two times with water, and once with saturated brine, and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off, and the residue was recrystallized with diethylether and methanol to obtain a target product as a pale yellow powder (yield 0.98 g (64%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0200] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS): δ/ppm 1.26 (s, tBu(Flu), 18H), 0.90-1. 85 (m, C6, 10H), 2. 75 (br, CpH, 1H), 3. 79 (br, Flu-9H, 1H), 5.80-6.52 (m, Cp, 4H), 6.73 (s, Flu, 2H), 7.20-7.60 (m, Ph(Flu), 10H), 7.82 (s, Flu, 2H).

[0201] MS (FD) :M/z 577 (M⁺).

(ii) Synthesis of cyclohexylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

[0202] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a 100-mL Schlenk flask was charged with 0.98 g (1.70 mmol) of cyclohexylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorene) and 40 mL of dehydrated diethyl ether, and the mixture was stirred. This mixed slurry solution was cooled to 0°C in an ice bath, and 2.40 mL (3.74 mmol) of a 1.56 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added. The mixture was stirred for 23 hours while gradually warming to room temperature. This red reaction solution was cooled to -78°C in a dry ice/methanol bath, and then 0.391 g (1.68 mmol) of zirconium tetrachloride was added. Subsequently, the mixture was stirred for 22 hours while gradually warming to room temperature to obtain an orange suspension. The solvent was removed by distillation under reduced pressure. Under a nitrogen atmosphere the residue was dissolved in n-hexane. The liquid was passed through a glass filter filled with Celite, and insolubles were washed with n-hexane, and the red powders insoluble in n-hexane was subjected to extraction with dichloromethane. The solvent in which the dichloromethane-solubles were dissolved was distilled off. The residue was washed with cold diethyl ether/cold n-hexane to obtain a target product as an orange solid (yield 0.71 g (57%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0203] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS): δ/ppm 1.25 (s, tBu(Flu), 18H), 1.45-1.90 (m, C6, 6H), 2.10-2.35 (m, C6, 2H), 2.85-3.00 (m, C6, 2H), 5.55 (t, J=2. 6 Hz, Cp, 2H), 6.29 (t, J=2. 6 Hz, Cp, 2H), 7.15-7.45 (m, Ph(Flu) and Flu, 12H), 8.22 (s, Flu, 2H).

[0204] MS (FD): M/z 736 (M⁺).

[Synthesis Example 1-8]

Synthesis of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di[2-naphthyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

(i) Synthesis of 2,7-di(2-naphthyl)-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorene

[0205] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, 45 mL of dehydrated 1,2-dimethoxyethane was added to 3.02 g (6.92 mmol) of 2,7-dibromo-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorene synthesized in Synthesis Example 1-1(i) and 0.40 g (0.35 mmol) of Pd(PPh₃), and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20 minutes. To this solution, a solution prepared by dissolving 2. 62 g (15.2 mmol) of 2-naphthylboric acid in 15 mL of ethanol was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20 minutes. Then, 13.8 mL (27.7 mmol) of a 2.0 mol/L aqueous solution of sodium carbonate was added. The mixture was heated to reflux for 21 hours, and then left to be naturally cooled. Subsequently, the reaction was terminated with 1N hydrochloric acid in an ice bath. Thereafter, dichloromethane was added to perform liquid-liquid phase separation. The aqueous layer was subjected to extraction with diethyl ether twice, and the resultant was combined with the organic layer obtained previously. The resulting liquid was washed two times with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, two times with water, and once with saturated brine, and then dried over magnesium sulfate. Subsequently, the solvent was distilled off, and the resulting solids were subjected to separation by silica gel chromatography. To the yellow powder obtained, a mixed solution of n-hexane and a small amount of dichloromethane was added. The mixture was heated to 65°C to dissolve the powder completely, and was then left to stand overnight'at room temperature. Crystals precipitated were washed three times with 10 mL of n-hexane to obtain a target product as a white powder (yield 2.71 g (74%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0206] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS) : δ/ppm 1.32 (s, tBu(Flu), 18H), 3.81 (s, Flu-9H, 2H), 7.22 (s, Flu, 2H), 7.46-7.52 (m, NapFlu, 6H), 7.77-7.90 (m, NapFlu, 8H), 8.03 (s, Flu, 2H).

[0207] MS (FD) :M/z 530 (M⁺).

(ii) Synthesis of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di[2-naphthyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorene)

[0208] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, 80 mL of dehydrated tert-butylmethylether was added to 0.82 g (1.54 mmol) of 2,7-di(2-naphthyl)-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorene, and the mixture was stirred. This solution was cooled in an ice bath, and 1.10 mL (1.76 mmol) of a 1.60 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 22 hours. To the yellow suspension thus obtained, 0.44 g (1.70 mmol) of 6, 6-dibenzofulvene synthesized in Synthesis Example 1-1 (iii) was added, and the mixture was heated to reflux for 19 hours. Subsequently, 30 mL of 1N hydrochloric acid was added to the light orange-brown solution obtained to terminate the reaction. Then, 100 mL of diethylether was added to perform a liquid-liquid phase separation, and the soluble fraction was extracted. This organic layer was washed two times with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, two times with water, and once with saturated brine, and then dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off, and the residue was purified by column chromatography to obtain a target product as a pale yellow solid (yield 0. 64 g (53%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0209] ¹H-NMR (270MHz, CDCl₃, TMS) : δ/ppm 1.28 (s, tBu(Flu), 18H), 2.65 (br, CpH, 1H), 3.28 (br, CH₂Ph, 4H), 4.46 (br, Flu-9H, 1H), 5.85-6.48 (m, Cp, 4H), 6.80-7.92 (m, Nap(Flu) and CH₂Ph and Flu, 26H).

[0210] MS (FD) :M/z 788 (M⁺).

(iii) Synthesis of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di[2-naphthyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

[0211] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a 100-mL Schlenk flask was charged with 0.64 g (0.811 mmol) of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di[2-naphthyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorene) and 40 mL of dehydrated diethyl ether, and the mixture was stirred. This mixed slurry solution was cooled in an ice bath, 1.14 mL (1.82 mmol) of a 1. 60 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added. The mixture was stirred for 42 hours while gradually warming to room temperature. This red reaction solution was cooled to -78°C in a dry ice/methanol bath, and then 0.180 g (0.772 mmol) of zirconium tetrachloride was added. Subsequently, the mixture was stirred for 47 hours while gradually warming to room temperature to obtain an orange colored suspension. The solvent was removed by distillation under reduced pressure. Under a nitrogen atmosphere, the residue was dissolved in n-hexane, and the liquid was passed through a glass filter filled with Celite, insolubles were washed with n-hexane, and the red powder insoluble in n-hexane was subjected to extraction with dichloromethane. The solvent in which the dichloromethane-solubles were dissolved was distilled off. The residue was washed with diethyl ether/n-hexane to obtain a target product as a red-orange powder (yield 379 mg (49%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0212] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS): δ/ppm 1.35 (s, tBu(Flu), 18H), 3.72-4.00 (m, CH₂Ph, 4H), 5.83 (br, Cp, 2H), 6.52 (br, Cp, 2H), 6.95-7.90 (m, Nap(Flu) and CH₂Ph, 26H), 8.40 (s, Flu, 2H).

[0213] MS (FD):M/z 948 (M⁺).

[Synthesis Example 1-9]

Synthesis of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di[p-tolyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

(i) Synthesis of 2,7-di(p-tolyl)-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorene

[0214] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, 120 mL of dehydrated 1,2-dimethoxyethane was added to 8.00 g (18.3 mmol) of 2,7-dibromo-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorene synthesized in Synthesis Example 1-1(i) and 1.05 g (0.909 mmol) of Pd(PPh₃), and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20 minutes. To this solution, a solution prepared by dissolving 5.50 g (40.5 mmol) of 4-methylphenylboric acid in 20 mL of ethanol was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20 minutes, and then 36.8 mL (73. 6 mmol) of a 2.0 mol/L aqueous solution of sodium carbonate was added. Subsequently, the mixture was heated to reflux for 21 hours, left to be naturally cooled, and then 1N hydrochloric acid was added in an ice bath to terminate the reaction. Dichloromethane was then added to perform a liquid-liquid phase separation, and the aqueous layer was subjected to extraction with diethyl ether twice. The resultant was combined with the organic layer obtained previously. The resultant liquid was then washed two times with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, two times with water, and once with saturated brine, and then dried over magnesium sulfate. Subsequently, the solvent was distilled off, and the resultant was subjected to separation by silica gel chromatography. To the whitish yellow powder obtained, small amount of a mixed solution of n-hexane and ethanol was added. The mixture was heated to 65°C, and then was left to stand for 1 hour at room temperature. Crystals Precipitated were washed 10 times with 2 mL of cold methanol and 20 times with 1 mL of cold n-hexane to obtain a target product as a white powder (yield 6.95g (83%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0215] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS): δ/ppm 1.29 (s, tBu(Flu), 18H), 2.41 (s, MePhFlu, 6H), 3.76 (s, Flu-9H, 2H), 7.12-7.26 (m, Flu and MePhFlu 10H), 7.95 (s, Flu, 2H).

[0216] MS (FD) :M/z 458 (M⁺).

(ii) Synthesis of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di[p-tolyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorene)

[0217] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, 100 mL of dehydrated tert-butylmethylether was added to 1.30 g (2.84 mmol) of 2,7-di(p-tolyl)-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorene, and the mixture was stirred. This solution was cooled in an ice bath, and 2.10 mL (3.36 mmol) of a 1.60 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 21 hours. To the yellowy-black suspension obtained, 0.808 g (3.12 mmol) of 6,6-dibenzofulvene synthesized in Synthesis Example 1-1(iii) was added. Subsequently, the mixture was heated to reflux for 19 hours. Subsequently, 30 mL of 1N hydrochloric acid was added to the red-brown solution obtained to terminate the reaction. Then, 100 mL of diethylether was added to perform a liquid-liquid phase separation, and the soluble fraction was extracted. This organic layer was washed two times with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, two times with water, and once with saturated brine, and then dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was solvent was distilled off, and the residue was subjected to separation by column chromatography. The whitish yellow powder obtained was washed once with 10 mL of cold hexane, three times with 5 mL of cold ethanol, and 3 times with 2 mL of cold hexane to obtain a target product as a white powder (yield 1.04 g (51%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0218] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS): δ/ppm 1.25 (s, tBu(Flu), 18H), 2.38 (s, MePhFlu, 6H), 2.69 (br, CpH, 1H), 3.27 (br, CH₂Ph, 4H), 4.40 (br, Flu-9H, 1H), 5.80-6.48 (m, Cp, 4H), 6.80-7.30 (m, MePh(Flu) and CH₂Ph and Flu, 20H), 7.66 (s, Flu, 2H).

[0219] MS (FD) : M/z 717 (M⁺) .

(iii) Synthesis of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di[p-tolyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

[0220] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a 100-mL Schlenk flask was charged with 1.04 g (1.45 mmol) of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di[p-tolyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorene) and 60 mL of dehydrated diethyl ether, and the mixture was stirred. This mixed slurry solution was cooled in an ice bath, and 2.00 mL (3.20 mmol) of a 1.60 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added. The mixture was stirred for 51 hours while gradually warming to room temperature. This red-orange reaction solution was cooled to -78°C in a dry ice/methanol bath, and then 0.363 g (1.60 mmol) of zirconium tetrachloride was added. Subsequently, the mixture was stirred for 43 hours while gradually warming to room temperature to obtain an orange colored suspension. The solvent was removed by distillation under reduced pressure. Under a nitrogen atmosphere, the residue was dissolved in n-hexane, the liquid was passed through a glass filter filled with Celite, insolubles were washed with n-hexane, and the orange powder insoluble in n-hexane was subjected to extraction with dichloromethane. The solvent in which the dichloromethane-solubles were dissolved was distilled off. The residue was washed with diethyl ether/n-hexane to obtain a target product as an orange powder (yield 744 mg (58%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0221] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS): δ/ppm 1.32 (s, tBu(Flu), 18H), 2.37 (s, MePhFlu, 6H), 3.86 (d, J=15.5 Hz, CH₂Ph, 2H), 3.94 (d, J=15. 5 Hz, CH₂Ph, 2H), 5.81 (t, J=2. 6 Hz, Cp, 2H), 6.46 (t, J=2.6 Hz, Cp, 2H), 6.90-7.40 (m, MePh(Flu) and CH₂Ph and Flu, 20H), 8.32 (s, Flu, 2H).

[0222] MS (FD): M/z 876(M⁺).

[Synthesis Example 1-10]

Synthesis of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di[o-tolyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

(i) Synthesis of 2,7-di(p-tolyl)-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorene

[0223] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, 50 mL of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran was added to 3.50 g (8.02 mmol) of 2,7-dibromo-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorene synthesized in Synthesis Example 1-1(i), 0.186 g (0.20 mmol) of Pd₂(dba)₃, 0.115 g (0.57 mmol) of P(tBu)₃, and 6.81 g (32.1 mmol) of tripotassium phosphate, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20 minutes. To the solution, a solution of 2. 73 g (20.0 mmol) prepared by dissolving o-tolylboronic acid in 15 mL of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran was added. Subsequently, the mixture was heated to reflux for 72 hours, left to be naturally cooled, and then 1N hydrochloric acid was added in an ice bath to terminate the reaction. Thereafter, diethylether was added to perform liquid-liquid phase separation. The aqueous layer was extracted twice with diethylether and the resultant was combined with the organic layer obtained previously. Then, the resultant liquid washed two times with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, two times with water, and once with saturated brine, and dried over magnesium sulfate. Subsequently, the solvent was distilled off, and the resultant was subjected to separation by silica gel chromatography to obtain a target product as a white powder (yield 0.532 g (14%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR.

[0224] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS): δ/ppm 1.27 (s, tBu(Flu), 18H), 2.07 (s, Me (o-tolyl), 6H), 3.79 (s, Flu-9H, 2H), 7.07 (s, Flu, 2H), 7.19-7.25 (m, o-tolylFlu, 10H), 8.00 (s, Flu, 2H).

(ii) Synthesis of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di[o-tolyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorene)

[0225] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, 40 mL of dehydrated tert-butylmethylether was added to 0.92 g (2.00 mmol) of 2,7-di(p-tolyl)-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorene, and the mixture was stirred. This solution was cooled in an ice bath, and 1.45 mL (2.20 mmol) of a 1.52 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. The resulting red solution was cooled in an ice bath, a solution prepared by dissolving 0.58 g (2.24 mmol) of 6,6-dibenzofulvene, which was synthesized in Synthesis Example 1-2 (iii), in 20 mL of THF was added dropwise over 25 minutes. Subsequently, the mixture was stirred for 18 hours while gradually warming to room temperature, and then heated to reflux for 3 hours. The reddish black solution obtained was left to be naturally cooled, and then 1N hydrochloric acid was added in an ice bath to terminate the reaction. Thereafter, diethylether was added to perform liquid-liquid phase separation, and the aqueous layer was subjected to extraction with diethylether twice. The resultant was combined with the organic layer obtained previously. The resultant liquid was washed two times with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, two times with water, and once with saturated brine, and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off, and the resultant was subjected to separation by silica gel chromatography to obtain a yellow powder. To this yellow powder, a mixed solvent of hexane and ethanol was added, and the mixture was heated to 60°C to dissolve the powder completely, and the liquid was left to stand overnight at -20°C. Crystals precipitated were washed with ethanol to obtain a target product as a pale yellow powder (yield 0.57 g (40%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0226] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS): δ/ppm 1.21-1.23 (m, tBu(Flu), 18H), 1.96-1.99 (m, CH₃(o-tolyl), 3H), 2.14-2.19 (m, CH₃(o-tolyl), 3H), 2.66 (br, CpH, 1H), 3.06-3.34 (br, CH₂Ph, 4H), 4.45 (br, Flu-9H, 1H), 5.80-6.48 (br, Cp, 4H), 6.75-7.20 (m, o-tolyl(Flu) and CH₂Ph and Flu, 20H), 7.64-7.79 (m, Flu, 2H).

[0227] MS (FD) :M/z 716 (M⁺).

(iii) Synthesis of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di[o-tolyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

[0228] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a 50-mL Schlenk flask was charged with 0.36 g (0.50 mmol) of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-di[o-tolyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorene) and 25 mL of dehydrated diethyl ether, and the mixture was stirred. This mixed slurry solution was cooled in an ice bath, 0.72 mL (1.09 mmol) of a 1.52 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added, and the mixture was stirred for 40 hours while gradually warming to room temperature. This red reaction solution was cooled to -78°C in a dry ice/methanol bath, and then 0.251 g (1.08 mmol) of zirconium tetrachloride was added. Subsequently, the mixture was stirred for 17 hours while gradually warming to room temperature to obtain a red-orange suspension. The solvent was dried under reduced pressure. Under a nitrogen atmosphere, the residue was dissolved in n-hexane, and the liquid was passed through a glass filter filled with Celite, insolubles were washed with n-hexane, and the orange powder insoluble in n-hexane was subjected to extraction with dichloromethane. The solvent in which the dichloromethane-solubles were dissolved was distilled off. The residue was washed with diethyl ether/cold n-pentane and dried to obtain a target product as a dark pink powder (yield 167 mg (38%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0229] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS): δ/ppm 1.28-1.33 (m, tBu(Flu), 18H), 1.68, 1.87, 2.16(s, s, s, CH₃(o-tolyl), 6H), 3.34-4.30 (m, CH₂Ph, 4H), 5.73-5.82 (m, Cp, 2H), 6.45-6.48 (m, Cp, 2H), 6.95-7.30 (m, o-tolyl(Flu) and CH₂Ph, 18H), 7.48 (s, Flu, 2H), 8.37-8.41 (m, Flu, 2H).

[0230] MS (FD) : M/z 876 (M⁺).

[Synthesis Example 1-11]

Synthesis of di(4-chlorobenzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

(i) Synthesis of bis(4-chlorobenzyl)ketone

[0231] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a 500-mL three-necked flask was charged with 15.12 g (73.3 mmol) of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and 2.24 g (18.3 mmol) of dimethylaminopyridine, further charged with 150 mL of absolute dichloromethane, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature. To this solution, 12.50 g (73.3 mmol) of 4-chlorophenylacetic acid dissolved in 120 mL of absolute dichloromethane was added dropwise. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 3 days, and then white crystals precipitated were separated by filtration using Kiriyama funnel. The filtrate was concentrated, and the residue was subjected to separation by silica gel column chromatography to obtain a mixed product of white crystal/yellowy oil. To this mixed product, ethanol was added. The mixture was heated to 50°C to dissolve the mixed product completely, and then left to stand overnight at room temperature. Crystals precipitated were washed with a small amount of ethanol to obtain a target product as a white powder (yield 5.52 g (54%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR.

[0232] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS) : δ/ppm 3.69 (s, 4-Cl-PhCH₂, 4H), 7.05 (d, 4-Cl-PhCH₂, 4H), 7.28 (d, 4-Cl-PhCH₂, 4H).

(ii) Synthesis of 6,6-di(4-chlorobenzyl)fulvene

[0233] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a 100-mL three-necked flask was charged with 0.66 g (9.22 mmol) of lithium cyclopentadiene and 10 mL of dehydrated THF, and the mixture was stirred. This solution was cooled (to -78°C) in a dry ice/methanol bath, and 2.50 g (8.96 mmol) of bis(4-chlorobenzyl)ketone dissolved in 15 mL of dehydrated THF was added dropwise. Subsequently, the mixture was stirred for 17 hours while gradually warming to room temperature. Then, 1 N hydrochloric acid was added to the resulting brown-black solution to terminate the reaction. Thereafter, hexane was added to perform liquid-liquid phase separation, and the aqueous layer was subjected to extraction with hexane twice. The resultant was combined with the organic layer obtained previously. The resultant liquid was then washed two times with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, two times with water, and once with saturated brine, and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off, and the residue was purified by column chromatography to obtain a target product as a yellow powder (yield 0.65 g (22%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR.

[0234] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS) : δ/ppm 3.65 (s, PhCH₂, 4H), 6.64 (s, Cp, 4H), 7.02 (d, 4-Cl-PhCH₂, 4H), 7.23 (d, 4-Cl-PhCH₂, 4H).

(iii) Synthesis of di(4-chlorobenzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorene)

[0235] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, 15 mL of absolute THF was added to 0.69 g (1.60 mmol) of 2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butyl-fluorene synthesized in Synthesis Example 1-1(ii), and the mixture was stirred. This solution was cooled (to -78°C) in a methanol/dry ice bath, and 1.26 mL (1.92 mmol) of a 1.52 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added. Subsequently, the mixture was stirred for 19 hours while gradually warming to room temperature. The resulting dark red solution was cooled (to -78°C) in a dry ice/methanol bath, and 0.62 g (1.88 mmol) of 6,6-di(4-chlorobenzyl)fulvene dissolved in 10 mL of THF was added dropwise over 20 minutes. The mixture was stirred for 30 minutes, and 1N hydrochloric acid was added to the dark red solution obtained to terminate the reaction. Thereafter, hexane was added to perform liquid-liquid phase separation, and the aqueous layer was subjected to extraction with hexane twice. The resultant was combined with the organic layer obtained previously. The resultant liquid was then washed two times with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, two times with water, and once with saturated brine, and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off to obtain a whitish yellow powder. This whitish yellow powder was washed with a mixed solvent of hexane and ethanol to obtain a target product as a white powder (yield 0.80 g (66%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0236]  ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS): δ/ppm 1.27 (s, tBu(Flu), 18H), 2.70 (br, CpH, 1H), 3.12 (br, 4-Cl-PhCH₂, 4H), 4.34 (s, Flu-9H, 1H), 5.87-6.62 (m, Cp, 4H), 6.70-7.30 (m, Ph(Flu) and 4-Cl-PhCH₂ and Flu, 20H), 7.67 (br, Flu, 2H).

[0237] MS (FD): M/z 756 (M⁺).

(iv) Synthesis of di(4-chlorobenzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

[0238] Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a 50-mL Schlenk flask was charged with 0.79 g (1.01 mmol) of di(4-chlorobenzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorene) and 40 mL of absolute diethyl ether, and the mixture was stirred. This mixed slurry solution was cooled (to -78°C) in a dry ice/methanol bath, and 1.45 mL (2.20 mmol) of a 1.52 mol/L hexane solution of n-butyllithium was added. Subsequently, the mixture was stirred for 18 hours while gradually warming to room temperature. This red reaction solution was cooled (to -78°C) in a dry ice/methanol bath, and 0.32 g (1.37 mmol) of zirconium tetrachloride was added. The mixture was stirred for 22 hours while gradually warming to room temperature, to obtain an orange colored suspension. The solvent was dried under reduced pressure. Under a nitrogen atmosphere, the resultant was filtered through a glass filter filled with Celite, and insolubles were washed with a small amount of diethyl ether. The filtrate was concentrated to obtain an orange colored solid. Extraction was carried out using a mixed solvent of diethylether/hexane/pentane, and the solvent in which solubles were dissolved was distilled off. The residue was dried to obtain a target product as a dark pink powder (yield 366 mg (40%)). The target product was identified by ¹H-NMR and FD-MS spectroscopy.

[0239] ¹H-NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃, TMS) : δ/ppm 1.32 (s, tBu (Flu), 18H), 3.70 (d, J=15.5 Hz, 4-Cl-PhCH₂, 2H), 3.86 (d, J=15.5 Hz, 4-Cl-PhCH₂, 2H), 5.79 (t, J=2. 6 Hz, Cp, 2H), 6.48 (t, J=2. 6 Hz, Cp, 2H), 6.92-7.33 (m, Ph(Flu) and 4-Cl-PhCH₂ and Flu, 20H), 8.35 (s, Flu, 2H).

[0240] MS (FD): M/z 916 (M⁺) .

[Example 1-1]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0241] A thoroughly nitrogen purged glass autoclave with an internal volume of 500 ml was charged with 250 ml of toluene, and then charged with propylene at a rate of 150 liter/hour, which was kept at 25°C for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, a magnetic stirrer was placed in a thoroughly nitrogen purged side arm flask with an internal volume of 30 ml, and the flask was sequentially charged with 5.00 mmol of a toluene solution of methylaluminoxane (Al = 1.53 mol/l) in terms of aluminum atom and 5.0 µmol of a toluene solution of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride in terms of zirconium atom. The mixture was stirred for 20 minutes. This solution was then added to toluene in the glass autoclave which had been charged with propylene, and the polymerization was initiated. Propylene gas was continuously supplied at a rate of 150 liter/hour, and the polymerization was performed at 25°C for 10 minutes under normal pressure. Thereafter, a small amount of methanol was added to terminate the polymerization. The polymer solution was added to an excessive amount of methanol to precipitate a polymer. The polymer was then dried under reduced pressure at 80°C for 12 hours to obtain a polymer in an amount of 6.32 g. The polymerization activity was 7.58 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 2.54 dl/g, Tm₁ = 157.0°C, Tm₂ = 162.0°C, and rrrr = 95.3%.

[Example 1-2]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0242] The polymerization was performed in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that the temperature inside the autoclave before the polymerization and during the polymerization was kept at 50°C, and that the polymerization time was changed to 15 minutes. The amount of the polymer obtained was 12.74 g and the polymerization activity was 10.19 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 1.64 dl/g, Tm₁ = 142.9°C, and Tm₂ = 150.1°C.

[Example 1-3]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0243] A thoroughly nitrogen purged glass autoclave with an internal volume of 500 ml was charged with 250 ml of toluene, and then charged with propylene at a rate of 150 liter/hour, which kept at 25°C for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, a magnetic stirrer was placed in a thoroughly nitrogen purged side arm flask with an internal volume of 30 ml , and the flask sequentially charged with 5.00 mmol of a toluene solution of methylaluminoxane (Al = 1.53 mol/l) in terms of aluminum atom 5 and 5.0 µmol of a toluene solution of di(n-butyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride in terms of zirconium atom. The mixture was stirred for 20 minutes. This solution was then added to toluene in the glass autoclave which had been charged with propylene, and the polymerization was initiated. Propylene gas was continuously supplied at a rate of 150 liter/hour, and the polymerization was performed at 25°C for 25 minutes under normal pressure. Thereafter, a small amount of methanol was added to terminate the polymerization. The polymer solution was added to an excessive amount of methanol to precipitate a polymer. The polymer was then dried under reduced pressure at 80°C for 12 hours to obtain a polymer in an amount of 7.35 g. The polymerization activity was 3.53 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 2.43 dl/g, Tm₁ = 154.9°C, Tm₂ = 160.0°C, and rrrr = 95.2%.

[Example 1-4]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0244] ) The polymerization was performed in the same manner as in Example 1-3, except that the temperature inside the autoclave before the polymerization and during the polymerization was kept at 50°C. The amount of polymer obtained was 11.00 g and the polymerization activity was 5.28 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 1.54 dl/g, Tm₁ = 138.6°C, and Tm₂ = 146.2°C.

[Example 1-5]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0245] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to di(n-butyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 40 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 3.31 g and the polymerization activity was 0.99 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 2.52 dl/g, Tm₁ = 142.6°C, and Tm₂ = 151.8°C.

[Example 1-6]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0246] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to di(p-chlorophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 30 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 8.35 g and the polymerization activity was 3.34 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 5.98 dl/g and Tm₂ = 153.3°C.

[Example 1-7]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0247] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-2, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to di(p-chlorophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 40 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 2.90 g and the polymerization activity was 0.87 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 3.22 dl/g, Tm₁ = 139.1°C, and Tm₂ = 143.8°C.

[Example 1-8]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0248] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to di(p-chlorophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 60 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 7.30 g and that the polymerization activity was 1.46 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 5.96 dl/g, Tm₁ = 142.6°C, and Tm₂ = 149.0°C.

[Example 1-9]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0249] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to di(m-trifluoromethyl-fluorenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)( 2,7-dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 60 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 2.90 g and the polymerization activity was 0.58 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 4.64 dl/g, Tm₁ = 135.7°C, and Tm₂ = 141.9°C.

[Example 1-10]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0250] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to cyclohexylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 15 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 6.55 g and the polymerization activity was 5.24 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 2.17 dl/g, Tm₁ = 153.7°C, and Tm₂ = 157.7°C.

[Example 1-11]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0251] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-2, except that, in Example 1-1, dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to cyclohexylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 15 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 5.64 g and the polymerization activity was 4.51 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 1.42 dl/g, Tm₁ = 136.9°C, and Tm₂ = 145.8°C.

[Example 1-12]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0252] A thoroughly nitrogen purged glass autoclave with a internal volume of 500 ml was charged with 250 ml of toluene, and then charged with propylene at a rate of 150 liter/hour, which was kept at 25°C for 20 minutes. Subsequently, the autoclave was sequentially charged with 2.0 mmol of 1.0mmol/ml toluene solution of triisobutylaluminum in terms of aluminum atom , 5.0 µmol of a toluene solution of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl) zirconium dichloride in terms of zirconium atom, and 0.020 millimole/liter of a toluene solution of N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate. Then, polymerization was initiated. Propylene gas was continuously supplied at a rate of 150 liter/hour, and the polymerization was performed at 25°C for 20 minutes under normal pressure. Thereafter, a small amount of methanol was added to terminate the polymerization. The polymer solution was added to an excessive amount of methanol to precipitate a polymer. The polymer was then dried under reduced pressure at 80°C for 12 hours to obtain a polymer in an amount of 10.56 g. The polymerization activity was 6.34 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 1.25 dl/g, Tm₁ = 144.9°C, and Tm₂ = 151.8°C.

[Comparative Example 1-1]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0253] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3',6-ditert-butylfluorenyl) zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 15 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 8.94 g and the polymerization activity was 7.15 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 2.12 dl/g, Tm₁ = 150.2°C, Tm₂ = 155.2°C, and rrrr = 94.1%.

[Comparative Example 1-2]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0254] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-2, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 8.23 g and the polymerization activity was 6.58 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 1.23 dl/g, Tm₁ = 132.2°C, and Tm₂ = 142.1°C.

[Comparative Example 1-3]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0255] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to cyclohexylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(octamethyloctahydrodibenz ofluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 60 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 0.06 g and the polymerization activity was 0.02 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 1.61 dl/g, Tm₁ = 149.1°C, and Tm₂ = 153.7°C.

[Comparative Example 1-4]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0256] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to dimethylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 30 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 1.70 g and the polymerization activity was 0.68 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The results of the polymer analysis were Tm₂ = 150.1°C.

[Comparative Example 1-5]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0257] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-2, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to dimethylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl) zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 60 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 2.65 g and the polymerization activity was 0.53 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 1.22 dl/g and Tm₂ = 131.0°C.

[Comparative Example 1-6]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0258] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(octamethyloctahydrodibe nzofluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 45 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 2.38 g and the polymerization activity was 0.63 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 2.15 dl/g, Tm₁ = 150.1°C, Tm₂ = 155. 4°C, and rrrr = 94.2%.

[Comparative Example 1-7]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0259] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-2, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(octamethyloctahydrodibe nzofluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 45 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 2.14 g and the polymerization activity was 0.57 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] - 1.32 dl/g, Tm₁ = 125.4°C, and Tm₂ = 136.1°C.

[Comparative Example 1-8]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0260] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-2, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to diphenylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(octamethyloctahydrodibe nzofluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 60 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 0.75 g and the polymerization activity was 0.15 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 1.85 dl/g, Tm₁ = 98.0°C, and Tm₂ = 104.0°C.

[Example 1-13]

-Ethylene Polymerization-

[0261] A thoroughly nitrogen purged glass autoclave with an internal volume of 500 ml was charged with 400 ml of toluene, and then charged with ethylene at a rate of 100 liter/hour, which was kept at 75°C for 10 minutes. The autoclave was sequentially charged with 1.3 mmol of a toluene solution of methylaluminoxane (Al = 1.21 mol/l) in terms of aluminum atom, and 2.0 µmol of a toluene solution of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride in terms of zirconium atom. Then, polymerization was initiated. Ethylene gas was continuously supplied at a rate of 100 liter/hour, and the polymerization was performed at 75°C for 6 minutes under normal pressure. Thereafter, a small amount of methanol was added to terminate the polymerization. The polymer solution was added to an excessive amount of methanol to precipitate a polymer. The polymer was then dried under reduced pressure at 80°C for 12 hours to obtain a polymer in an amount of 4.59 g. The polymerization activity was 23.0 kg-PE/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 3.69 dl/g.

[Example 1-14]

-Ethylene Polymerization-

[0262] A thoroughly nitrogen purged glass autoclave with an internal volume of 500 ml was charged with 400 ml of toluene, and then charged with ethylene at a rate of 100 liter/hour, which was kept at 75°C for 10 minutes. The autoclave was sequentially charged with 0.52 mmol of a toluene solution of methylaluminoxane (Al = 1.21 mol/l) in terms of aluminum atom and 0.8 µmol of a toluene solution of di(n-butyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl) zirconium dichloride in terms of zirconium atom. Then, polymerization was initiated. Ethylene gas was continuously supplied at a rate of 100 liter/hour, and the polymerization was performed at 75°C for 3 minutes under normal pressure. Thereafter, a small amount of methanol was added to terminate the polymerization. The polymer solution was added to an excessive amount of methanol to precipitate a polymer. The polymer was then dried under reduced pressure at 80°C for 12 hours to obtain a polymer in an amount of 2.70 g . The polymerization activity was 67.5 kg-PE/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 4.32 dl/g.

[Example 1-15]

-Ethylene Polymerization-

[0263] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-14, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to di(n-butyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 4.72 g. The polymerization activity was 118.0 kg-PE/mmol-Zr·hr and the polymer obtained had [η] = 3.53 dl/g.

[Example 1-16]

-Ethylene Polymerization-

[0264] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-14, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to di(p-chlorophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3, 6-ditert-butylfluorenyl) zirconium dichloride. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 3.68 g. The polymerization activity was 92.0 kg-PE/mmol-Zr·hr and the polymer obtained had [η] = 7.32 dl/g.

[Example 1-17]

-Ethylene Polymerization-

[0265] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-14, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to di(m-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7 -dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 2 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 4.24 g. The polymerization activity was 159.0 kg-PE/mmol-Zr·hr and the polymer obtained had [η] = 7.61 dl/g.

[Example 1-18]

-Ethylene Polymerization-

[0266] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-13, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to cyclohexylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 4 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 4.07 g. The polymerization activity was 30.5 kg-PE/mmol-Zr·hr and the polymer obtained had [η] - 4.05 dl/g.

[Comparative Example 1-9]

-Ethylene Polymerization-

[0267] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-13, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to cyclohexylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(octamethyloctahydrodibenz ofluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 2 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 1.21 g. The polymerization activity was 18.2 kg-PE/mmol-Zr·hr and the polymer obtained had [η] = 2.23 dl/g.

[Comparative Example 1-10]

-Ethylene Polymerization-

[0268] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-13, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(octamethyloctahydrodibe nzofluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 2.5 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 1.76 g. The polymerization activity was 21.1 kg-PE/mmol-Zr·hr and the polymer obtained had [η] = 2.62 dl/g.

[Comparative Example 1-11]

-Ethylene Polymerization-

[0269] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-13, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to diphenylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(octamethyloctahydrodibe nzofluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 3 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 4. 15 g. The polymerization activity was 41.5 kg-PE/mmol-Zr·hr.

[Example 1-19]

-Preparation of Supported Catalyst-

[0270] In a 100 ml three-neck flask thoroughly purged with nitrogen, a stirrer rod was placed and the flask was charged with 0.501 g of silica-supported methylaluminoxane (Al = 16.1 wt%). The flask was then charged with 15 ml of dehydrated toluene at room temperature, and further charged with 10 ml of toluene solution in which 10.2 mg of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was dissolved while stirring. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour. The slurry obtained was filtered, and a powder on the filter was washed once with 10 ml of dehydrated toluene, and subsequently washed three times with 10 ml of dehydrated hexane. The washed powder was dried under reduced pressure for 2 hours to obtain a powder in an amount of 0.422 g. The powder obtained was mixed with 3.80 g of a mineral oil to obtain a 10.0 wt% slurry.

[Example 1-20]

-Propylene Bulk Polymerization-

[0271] In a 50 ml side-arm flask thoroughly purged with nitrogen, a magnetic stirrer chip was placed, and the flask was charged with 0.596 g of a supported catalyst slurry prepared in Example 1-19 above mentioned, 1.0 mmol of hexane solution (Al=1.0M) of triisobutylaluminium and 5.0 ml of dehydrated hexane. The resultant mixture was introduced to a thoroughly nitrogen purged SUS autoclave with an internal volume of 2000 ml. Thereafter, 500 g of liquid propylene was charged. Subsequently, the polymerization was carried out at 70°C for 40 minutes, and then the autoclave was cooled and propylene was purged to terminate the polymerization. The amount of the syndiotactic polypropylene obtained was 38.7 g. The polymerization activity was 45.8 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The results of polymer analysis were [η] = 0.99 dl/g, Mw = 72800, Mw/Mn = 1.87, Tm₁ = 135.9°C, and Tm₂ = 145.7°C.

[Example 1-21]

-Propylene Bulk Polymerization-

[0272] The polymerization was carried out under the same condition as in Example 1-20 described above, except that 0.194 g of the supported catalyst slurry prepared in Example 1-19 above mentioned was used and that 0.3 NL of hydrogen was added after charging 500 g of liquid propylene. The amount of the syndiotactic polypropylene obtained was 42.2 g, and the polymerization activity was 153.5 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The results of polymer analysis were [η] - 1.00 dl/g, Mw = 74200, Mw/Mn = 1.99, Tm₁ = 134.6°C, and Tm₂ = 145.8°C.

[Comparative Example 1-12]

-Preparation of Supported Catalyst-

[0273] In a 100 ml three-neck flask thoroughly purged with nitrogen, a stirrer rod was placed, and the flask was charged with 0.506 g of silica-supported methylaluminoxane (AL = 16.1 wt%). The flask was then charged with 15 ml of dehydrated toluene at room temperature, and further charged with 10 ml of toluene solution in which 10.3 mg of the isopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl) zirconium dichloride was dissolved while stirring. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour. The slurry obtained was filtered, and a powder on the filter was washed once with 10 ml of dehydrated toluene, and subsequently washed three times with 10 ml of dehydrated hexane. The washed powder was dried under reduced pressure for 2 hours to obtain a powder in an amount of 0.410 g. The powder obtained was mixed with 3.69 g of a mineral oil to obtain a 10.0 wt% slurry.

[Comparative Example 1-13]

-Propylene Bulk Polymerization-

[0274] In a 50 ml side-arm flask thoroughly purged with nitrogen, a magnetic stirrer chip was placed, and the flask was charged with 0.205 g of a supported catalyst slurry prepared in Comparative Example 1-12 above mentioned, 1.0 mmol of hexane solution (Al=1.0M) of triisobutylaluminium and 5.0 ml of dehydrated hexane. The resultant mixture was introduced to a thoroughly nitrogen purged SUS autoclave with an internal volume of 2000 ml . Thereafter, 500 g of liquid propylene was charged. Subsequently, the polymerization was carried out at 70°C for 40 minutes, and then the autoclave was cooled and propylene was purged to terminate the polymerization. The polymer was dried under reduced pressure at 80°C for 10 hours. The amount of a syndiotactic polypropylene obtained was 6. 9 g. The polymerization activity was 16.9 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The results of polymer analysis were [η] = 1.15 dl/g, Mw = 88200, Mw/Mn = 1.76, Tm₁ = 126.9°C, and Tm₂ = 136.9°C.

[Comparative Example 1-14]

-Propylene Bulk Polymerization-

[0275] The polymerization was carried out under the same condition as in Comparative Example 1-13 described above, except that 0.198 g of the supported catalyst slurry prepared in Comparative Example 1-12 above mentioned was used and that 0.3 NL of hydrogen was added after charging 500 g of liquid propylene. The amount of a syndiotactic polypropylene obtained was 168. 9 g and the polymerization activity was 429.7 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The results of polymer analysis were [η] = 1.07 dl/g, Mw = 84700, Mw/Mn = 1.96, Tm₁ = 122.3°C, and Tm₂ = 136.4°C.

[Example 1-22]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0276] A thoroughly nitrogen purged glass autoclave with an internal volume of 500 ml, was charged with 400 mL of n-heptane, and then charged with propylene at a rate of 150 liter/hour, which was kept at 25°C for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, a magnetic stirrer was placed in a thoroughly nitrogen purged side arm flask with an internal volume of 30 ml, and the flask was sequentially charged with 5.00 mmol of a toluene solution of methylaluminoxane (Al = 1.53 mol/L), and 5.0 µmol of a toluene solution of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride. The mixture was stirred for 20 minutes. This solution was then added to n-heptane in the glass autoclave which had been charged with propylene, and the polymerization was initiated. Propylene gas was continuously supplied at a rate of 150 liter/hour, and the polymerization was performed at 25°C for 7.5 minutes under normal pressure. Thereafter, a small amount of methanol was added to terminate the polymerization. The polymer solution was added to an excessive amount of methanol to precipitate a polymer. The polymer was then dried under reduced pressure at 80°C for 12 hours to obtain a polymer in an amount of 9.00 g. The polymerization activity was 14.40 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 2.73 dl/g and Tm₂ = 159.0°C.

[Example 1-23]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0277] The polymerization was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-22, except that the temperature inside the autoclave before the polymerization and during the polymerization was kept at 50°C, and that the polymerization time was changed to 31 minutes. The amount of the polymer obtained was 19.60 g, and the polymerization activity was 7.59 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 1.72 dl/g, Tm₁ = 149.9°C, and Tm₂ = 154.8°C.

[Example 1-24]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0278] A thoroughly nitrogen purged glass autoclave with an internal volume of 500 ml was charged with 250 ml of toluene was charged, and then charged with propylene at a rate of 150 liter/hour, which was kept at 25°C for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, a magnetic stirrer was placed in a thoroughly nitrogen purged side arm flask with an internal volume of 30 ml , and the flask was sequentially charged with 5.00 mmol of a toluene solution of methylaluminoxane (Al = 1.53 mol/L) and 5.0 µmol of a toluene solution of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[2-naphthyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride. The mixture was stirred for 20 minutes. This solution was then added to toluene in the glass autoclave which had been charged with propylene, and the polymerization was initiated. Propylene gas was continuously supplied at a rate of 150 liter/hour, and the polymerization was performed at 25°C for 15 minutes under normal pressure. Thereafter, a small amount of methanol was added to terminate the polymerization. The polymer solution was added to an excessive amount of methanol to precipitate a polymer. The polymer was then dried under reduced pressure at 80°C for 12 hours to obtain a polymer in an amount of 12.19 g. The polymerization activity was 9.75 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 2.27 dl/g, Tm₁ = 156.5°C, and Tm₂ = 161.0°C.

[Example 1-25]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0279] Polymerization was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-24, except that the temperature inside the autoclave before the polymerization and during the polymerization was kept at 50°C, and that the polymerization time was changed to 20 minutes. The amount of the polymer obtained was 12.30 g, and the polymerization activity was 7.38 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 1.43 dl/g, Tm₁ = 143.0°C, and Tm₂ = 150.6°C.

[Example 1-26]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0280] Preparation of a catalyst solution and polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-23, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[2-naphthyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 15 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 5.75 g. The polymerization activity was 4.60 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr, and the polymer obtained had [η] = 1.59 dl/g, Tm₁ = 147.2°C, and Tm₂ = 154.1°C.

[Example 1-27]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0281] Preparation of a catalyst solution and polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-24, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[2-naphthyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[p-tolyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 10 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 29.81 g. The polymerization activity was 35.77 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr, and the polymer obtained had [η] = 1.00 dl/g, Tm₁ = 155.1°C, and Tm₂ = 160.0°C.

[Example 1-28]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0282] Preparation of a catalyst solution and polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-25, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[2-naphthyl]-3,.6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[p-tolyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 15 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 39.08 g. The polymerization activity was 31.26 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr, and the polymer obtained had [η] = 0.71 dl/g, Tm₁ = 140.5°C, and Tm₂ = 148.9°C.

[Example 1-29]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0283] Preparation of a catalyst solution and polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-23, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[p-tolyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 15 minutes. As a result, a polymer obtained in an amount of 7.42 g. The polymerization activity was 5.94 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr, and the polymer obtained had [η] = 1.87 dl/g, Tm₁ = 147.2°C, and Tm₂ = 153.6°C.

[Example 1-30]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0284] Preparation of a catalyst solution and polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-24, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[2-naphthyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[o-tolyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 5 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 2.24 g. The polymerization activity was 5.38 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr, and the polymer obtained had [η] = 3.63 dl/g and Tm₂ = 156.0°C.

[Example 1-31]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0285] Preparation of a catalyst solution and polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-25, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[2-naphthyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[o-tolyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 8 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 3.98 g. The polymerization activity was 5.97 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr, and the polymer obtained had [η] = 2.46 dl/g, Tm₁ = 138.4°C, and Tm₂ = 145.8°C.

[Example 1-32]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0286] Preparation of a catalyst solution and polymerization where carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-22, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[o-tolyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 9 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 3.75 g. The polymerization activity was 5.00 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr, and the polymer obtained had [η] = 3.88 dl/g and Tm₂ = 156.2°C.

[Example 1-33]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0287] Preparation of a catalyst solution and polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-23, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[o-tolyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 20 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 6.66 g. The polymerization activity was 4.00 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr, and the polymer obtained had Tm₁ = 141. 9°C and Tm₂ = 149.0°C.

[Example 1-34]

-Ethylene Polymerization-

[0288] A thoroughly nitrogen purged glass autoclave with an internal volume of 500 ml was charged with 400 ml of toluene, and then charged with ethylene at a rate of 100 liter/hour, which was kept at 75°C for 10 minutes. Then, the flask was sequentially charged with 1.3 mmol) of a toluene solution of methylaluminoxane (Al = 1.21 mol/l) and 2.0 µmol of a toluene solution of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[2-naphthyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride. Thereafter, the polymerization was initiated. Ethylene gas was continuously supplied at a rate of 100 liter/hour, and the polymerization was performed at 75°C for 4 minutes under normal pressure. Thereafter, a small amount of methanol was added to terminate the polymerization. The polymer solution was added to an excessive amount of methanol to precipitate a polymer. The polymer was then dried under reduced pressure at 80°C for 12 hours to obtain a polymer in an amount of 3.76 g. The polymerization activity was 28.2 kg-PE/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 3.74 dl/g.

[Example 1-35]

-Ethylene Polymerization-

[0289] Preparation of a catalyst solution and polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-34, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[2-naphthyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[p-tolyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 5 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 6.00 g. The polymerization activity was 36.0 kg-PE/mmol-Zr · hr and the polymer obtained had [η] - 4.58 dl/g.

[Example 1-36]

-Ethylene Polymerization-

[0290] Preparation of a catalyst solution and polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-34, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[2-naphthyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[o-tolyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 6 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 4.41 g. The polymerization activity was 22.1 kg-PE/mmol-Zr·hr and the polymer obtained had [η] = 6.37 dl/g.

[Example 1-37]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0291] Preparation of a catalyst solution and polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-24, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[2-naphthyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to di(4-chlorobenzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl) zirconium dichloride. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 6.54 g. The polymerization activity was 5.23 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr, and the polymer obtained had [η] = 2.29 dl/g, Tm₁ = 157.6°C, and Tm₂ = 163.0°C.

[Example 1-38]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0292] The preparation of the catalyst solution and the polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-25, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[2-naphthyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to di(4-chlorobenzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 15 minutes. As a result, a polymer obtained in an amount of 6.17 g. The polymerization activity was 4.94 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr, and the polymer obtained had [η] = 1.48 dl/g, Tm₁ = 146.6°C, and Tm₂ = 154.1°C.

[Example 1-39]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0293] Preparation of a catalyst solution and polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-22, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to di(4-chlorobenzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 8 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 2. 76 g. The polymerization activity was 4.14 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr, and the polymer obtained had [η] = 2.68 dl/g and Tm₂ = 160.5°C.

[Example 1-40]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0294] Preparation of a catalyst solution and polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-23, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert -butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to di(4-chlorobenzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 10 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 1.69 g. The polymerization activity was 2.03 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr, and the polymer obtained had [η] =1.55 dl/g, Tm₁ = 150.2°C, and Tm₂ = 156.8°C.

[Comparative Example 1-15]

-Propylene Polymerization-

[0295] A thoroughly nitrogen purged glass autoclave with an internal volume of 500 ml was charged with 400 mL of n-hexane, and then charged with propylene at a rate of 150 liter/hour, which was kept at 45°C for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, a magnetic stirrer was placed in a thoroughly nitrogen purged side arm flask with an internal volume of 30 ml, and the flask was sequentially charged with 5.00 mmol of a toluene solution of methylaluminoxane (Al = 1.53 mol/L) and 5.0 µmol of a toluene solution of dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride. The mixture was stirred for 20 minutes. This solution was then added to toluene in the glass autoclave which had been charged with propylene, and the polymerization was initiated. Propylene gas was continuously supplied at a rate of 150 liter/hour, and the polymerization was performed at 45°C for 30 minutes under normal pressure. Thereafter, a small amount of methanol was added to terminate the polymerization. The polymer solution was added to an excessive amount of methanol to precipitate a polymer. The polymer was then dried under reduced pressure at 80°C for 12 hours to obtain a polymer in an amount of 2.15 g. The polymerization activity was 0.86 kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr, and the polymer obtained had [η] = 1.31 dl/g, Tm₁ = 134.1°C, and Tm₂ = 143.5°C.

[Example 1-41]

-Ethylene Polymerization-

[0296] Preparation of a catalyst solution and polymerization were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1-34, except that dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl) (2,7-[2-naphthyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride was changed to di(4-chlorobenzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and that the polymerization time was changed to 6 minutes. As a result, a polymer was obtained in an amount of 2. 00 g. The polymerization activity was 10.0 kg-PE/mmol-Zr·hr, and the polymer obtained had [η] = 3.36 dl/g.

[Example 1-42]

-Ethylene Polymerization-

[0297] A thoroughly nitrogen purged glass autoclave with the internal volume of 500 ml was charged with 400 mL of toluene, and then charged with ethylene at a rate of 100 liter/hour, which was kept at 75°C for 10 minutes. Thereafter, the flask was sequentially charged with 0.52 mmol of a toluene solution of methylaluminoxane (Al = 1.21 mol/l) and 0.8 µmol of a toluene solution of di(p-chlorophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride, and the polymerization was initiated. Ethylene gas was continuously supplied at a rate of 100 liter/hour, and the polymerization was performed at 75°C for 6 minutes under normal pressure. Thereafter, a small amount of methanol was added to terminate the polymerization. The polymer solution was added to an excessive amount of methanol to precipitate a polymer, which was then dried under reduced pressure at 80°C for 12 hours to obtain a polymer in an amount of 0.42 g. The polymerization activity was 5.3 kg-PE/mmol-Zr·hr. The polymer obtained had [η] = 8.44 dl/g.

[0298] The results for the propylene polymerization according to Examples 1-1 to -12 and Comparative Examples 1-1 to -8 are arranged in Table 1-1. The results for the ethylene polymerization according to Examples 1-13 to -18 and Comparative Examples 1-9 to -11 are arranged in Table 1-2. The results for the propylene polymerization according to Examples 1-22 to -33, and -37 to -40, and Comparative Example 1-12, are arranged in Table 1-3. The results for the ethylene polymerization according to Examples 1-34 to -36, 41, and 42, are arranged in Table 1-4.

[Table 1-1]

[0299] 

Table 1-1. Propylene Polymerization

	Transition metal compound		*2	*3	Yield	Polymerization activity	[η]	Tm1/Tm2	rrrr
	Type	*1
		(µmol)	(°c)	(min)	(g)	(Kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr)	(dl/g)	(°c)	(%)
Ex.1-1	Catalyst a	5	25	10	6.32	7.58	2.54	157.0/162.0	95.3
Ex.1-2	Catalyst a	5	50	15	12.74	10.19	1.64	142.9/150.1	-
Ex.1-3	Catalyst b	5	25	25	7.35	3.53	2.43	154.9/160.0	95.2
Ex.1-4	Catalyst b	5	50	25	11.00	5.28	1.54	138.6/146.2	-
Ex.1-5	Catalyst c	5	25	40	3.31	0.99	2.52	142.6/151.8	-
Ex.1-6	Catalyst d	5	25	30	8.35	3.34	5.98	-/153.3	-
Ex.1-7	Catalyst d	5	50	40	2.90	0.87	3.22	139.1/143.8	-
Ex.1-8	Catalyst e	5	25	60	7.30	1.46	5.96	142.6/149.0	-
Ex.1-9	Catalyst f	5	25	60	2.90	0.58	4.64	135.7/141.9	-
Ex.1-10	Catalyst g	5	25	15	6.55	5.24	2.17	153.3/157.7	-
Ex.1-11	Catalyst g	5	50	15	5.64	4.51	1.42	136.9/145.8	-
Ex.1-12	Catalyst a	5	25	20	10.56	6.34	1.25	144.9/151.8	-
C.E.1-1	Catalyst h	5	25	15	8.99	7.15	2.12	150.2/155.2	94.1
C.E.1-2	Catalyst h	5	50	15	8.23	6.58	1.23	132.2/142.1	-
C.E.1-3	Catalyst i	5	25	60	0.06	0.02	1.61	149.1/153.7	-
C.E.1-4	Catalyst j	5	25	30	1.70	0.68	-	-/150.1	-
C.E.1-5	Catalyst j	5	50	60	2.65	0.53	1.22	-/131.0	-
C.E.1-6	Catalyst k	5	25	45	2.38	0.63	2.15	150.1/155.4	94.2
C.E.1-7	Catalyst k	5	50	45	2.14	0.57	1.32	125.4/136.1	-
C.E.1-8	Catalyst l	5	50	60	0.75	0.15	1.85	98.0/104.0	-

Ex: Example C.E.: Comparative Example *1: Amount in terms of ,Zr atom *2: Polymerization temperature *3: Polymerization time

[0300] 

Catalyst a: dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst b: di(n-butyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst c: di(n-butyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst d: di(p-chlorophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst e: di(p-chlorophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst f: di(m-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst g: cyclohexylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst h: dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst i: cyclohexylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(octame-thyloctahydrodibenzofluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst j: dimethylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst k: dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(octamethyloctahydrodibenzofluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst 1: diphenylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(octamethyloctahydrodibenzofluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

[Table 1-2]

[0301] 

Table 1-2. Ethylene Polymerization

	Transition metal compound		Ethylene flow amount	MAO	*3	Yield	Polymerization activity	[η]
	Type	*1		*2
		(mmol))	(1/hr)	(mmol)	(min)	(g)	(Kg-PE/mmol-Zr·hr)	(dl/g)
Ex.1-13	Catalyst a	2.0	100	1.30	6	4.59	23.0	3.69
Ex.1-14	Catalyst b	0.8	100	0.52	3	2.7	67.5	4.32
Ex.1-15	Catalyst c	0.8	100	0.52	3	4.72	118.0	3.53
Ex.1-16	Catalyst e	0.8	100	0.52	3	3.68	92.0	7.32
Ex.1-17	Catalyst f	0.8	100	0.52	2	4.24	159.0	7.61
Ex.1-18	Catalyst g	2.0	100	1.30	4	4.07	30.5	9.05
C.E.1-9	Catalyst i	2.0	100	1.30	2	1.21	18.2	2.23
C.E.1-10	Catalyst k	2.0	100	1.30	2.5	1.76	21.1	2.62
C.E.1-11	Catalyst l	2.0	100	1.30	3	4.15	41.5

Ex: Example C.E.: Comparative Example *1: Amount in terms of Zr atom *2: Amount in terms of Al atom *3: Polymerization time

[0302] 

Catalyst a: dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst b: di(n-butyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst c: di(n-butyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst e: di(p-chlorophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst f: di(m-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-dimethyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst g: cyclohexylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst i: cyclohexylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(octamethyloctahydrodibenzofluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst k: dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(octamethyloctahydrodibenzofluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst 1: diphenylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(octamethyloctahydrodibenzofluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

[Table 1-3]

[0303] 

Table 1-3 Propylene Polymerization

	Transition metal compound		*2	*3	Yield	Polymerization activity	[η]	Tm1/Tm2
	Type	*1
		(µmol)	(°C)	(Min)	(g)	(Kg-PP/mmol-Zr·hr)	(dl/g)	(°c)
Ex.1-22	Catalyst a	5	25	7.5	9.00	14.40	2.73	-/159.0
Ex.1-23	Catalyst a	5	50	31	19.60	7.59	1.72	149.9/154.8
Ex.1-24	Catalyst m	5	25	15	12.19	9.75	2.27	156.5/161.0
Ex.1-25	Catalyst m	5	50	20	12.30	7.38	1.43	143.0/150.6
Ex.1-26	Catalyst m	5	50	15	5.75	4.60	1.59	197.2/154.1
Ex.1-27	Catalyst n	5	25	10	29.81	35.77	1.00	155.1/160.0
Ex.1-28	Catalyst n	5	50	15	39.08	31.26	0.71	140.5/148.9
Ex.1-29	Catalyst n	5	50	15	7.92	5.94	1.87	147.2/153.6
Ex.1-30	Catalyst o	5	25	5	2.24	5.38	3.63	-/156.0
Ex.1-31	Catalyst o	5	50	8	3.98	5.97	2.46	138.4/145.8
Ex.1-32	Catalyst o	5	25	9	3.75	5.00	3.88	-/156.2
Ex.1-33	Catalyst o	5	50	20	6.66	4.00	-	141.9/149.0
Ex.1-37	Catalyst p	5	25	15	6.54	5.23	2.29	157.6/163.0
Ex.1-38	Catalyst p	5	50	15	6.17	4.94	1.48	146.6/154.1
Ex.1-39	Catalyst p	5	25	8	2.76	4.19	2.68	-/160.5
Ex.1-40	Catalyst p	5	50	10	1.69	2.03	1.55	150.2/156.8
C.E.1-15	Catalyst h	5	45	30	2.15	0.86	1.31	134.1/143.5

Ex: Example C.E.: Comparative Example *1: Amount in terms of Zr atom *2: Polymerization temperature *3: Polymerization time

[0304] 

Catalyst a: dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst h: dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst m: dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[2-naphthyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst n: dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[p-tolyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst o: di.benzylmethylene(cyclopentadieriyl)(2,7-[o-tolyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst p: di(4-chlorobenzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

[Table 1-4]

[0305] 

Table 1-4. Ethylene Polymerization

	Transition metal compound		MAO	*3	Yield	Polymerization activity	[η]
	Type	*1	*2
		(µmol)	(mmol)	(Minute)	(g)	(Kg-PE/mmol-Zr·hr)	(dl/g)
Ex.1-34	Catalyst m	2.0	1.30	4	3.76	28.2	3.74
Ex.1-35	Catalyst n	2.0	1.30	5	6.00	36.0	4.58
Ex.1-36	Catalyst o	2.0	1.30	6	4.41	22.1	6.37
Ex.1-41	Catalyst p	2.0	1.30	6	2.00	10.0	3.36
Ex.1-42	Catalyst d	0.8	0.52	6	0.42	5.3	8.44

Ex: Example *1: Amount in terms of Zr atom *2: Amount in terms of Al atom *3: Polymerization time

[0306] 

Catalyst d: di(p-chlorophenyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst m: dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[2-naphthyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst n: dibenzylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(2,7-[p-tolyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst o: diberizylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl),(2,7-[o-tolyl]-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride,

Catalyst p: di(4-chlorobenzyl)methylene(cyclopentadienyl) (2,7-diphenyl-3,6-ditert-butylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride.

[0307] The catalyst for olefin polymerization for use in the method of the present invention (1) has excellent polymerization activity and has a large impact on the olefin polymerization industries.

Claims

1. A method for producing a syndiotactic α-olefin polymer comprising polymerizing one or more monomers selected from α-olefins having 2 or more carbon atoms at a temperature within the range from 0 to 170°C in the presence of a catalyst (1) which comprises:

(a-1) a bridged metallocene compound represented by the following Formula [1-1]; and

(b) at least one compound selected from:

(b-1) an organoaluminum oxy compound,

(b-2) a compound which reacts with the bridged metallocene compound (a-1) to form an ion pair, and

(b-3) an organoaluminum compound;

wherein each of R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ is a hydrogen atom;

R⁵, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹², which may be identical to or different from each other, are each selected from hydrogen, hydrocarbon group and a silicon-containing group;

R⁶, R⁷, R¹⁰ and R¹¹, which may be identical to or different from each other, are each selected from a hydrocarbon group and a silicon-containing group;

in one or more pairs of adjacent groups selected from R⁵ and R⁶ , R⁷ and R⁸ , R⁸ and R⁹ , R⁹ and R¹⁰, and R¹¹ and R¹², the adjacent groups may be linked to each other to form a ring;

R¹³ and R¹⁴, which may be identical to or different from each other, are each an atom or a substituent selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and a silicon atom-containing group;

M is Ti, Zr or Hf;

Y is carbon; and

Q, which may be identical to or different from each other, is selected from a halogen, a hydrocarbon group, an anion ligand and a neutral ligand capable of coordination with a lone electron pair; and

j is an integer from 1 to 4

2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the catalyst (1) further comprises a support.

3. A method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein R⁶ and R¹¹ are each an aryl group or a substituted aryl group.

4. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein R¹³ and R¹⁴ are each a hydrocarbon group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms.

5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein R¹³ and R¹⁴ represent an ethyl group, an n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, a tert-butyl group, cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a cycloheptyl group, a phenyl group, an m-tolyl group, a p-tolyl group, a benzyl group, an m-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl group, a p-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl group, a bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl group, an m-chlorophenyl group, a p-chlorophenyl group or a dichlorophenyl group.

6. A method according to any preceding Claim, wherein the bridged metallocene compound (a-1) has a Cs-symmetric structure.

Ansprüche

1. Verfahren zur Herstellung eines syndiotaktischen α-Olefinpolymers, umfassend das Polymerisieren von einem oder mehreren Monomeren, ausgewählt aus α-Olefinen mit 2 oder mehr Kohlenstoffatomen, bei einer Temperatur im Bereich von 0 bis 170°C in Gegenwart eines Katalysators (1), umfassend:

(a-1) eine überbrückte Metallocenverbindung der nachstehenden Formel [1-1]; und

(b) zumindest eine Verbindung, ausgewählt aus:

(b-1) einer Organoaluminiumoxyverbindung und

(b-2) einer Verbindung, die mit der überbrückten Metallocenverbindung (a-1) reagiert, um ein Ionenpaar zu bilden, und

(b-3) eine Organoaluminiumverbindung;

worin:

jedes R¹, R², R³ und R⁴ ein Wasserstoffatom ist;

R⁵, R⁸, R⁹ und R¹², die gleich oder voneinander verschieden sein können, jeweils aus Wasserstoff, einer Kohlenwasserstoffgruppe und einer siliciumhaltigen Gruppe ausgewählt sind;

R⁶, R⁷, R¹⁰ und R¹¹, die gleich oder voneinander verschieden sein können, jeweils aus einer Kohlenwasserstoffgruppe und einer siliciumhaltigen Gruppe ausgewählt sind;

in einem oder mehreren Paar(en) benachbarter Gruppen, ausgewählt aus R⁵ und R⁶, R⁷ und R⁸, R⁸ und R⁹, R⁹ und R¹⁰ und R¹¹ und R¹², die benachbarten Gruppen jeweils miteinander verknüpft sein können, um einen Ring zu bilden;

R¹³ und R¹⁴, die gleich oder voneinander verschieden sein können, jeweils ein Atom oder ein Substituent, ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus einem Wasserstoffatom, einer Kohlenwasserstoffgruppe mit 2 bis 20 Kohlenstoffatomen und einer siliciumatomhaltigen Gruppe, sind;

M Ti, Zr oder Hf ist;

Y Kohlenstoff ist; und

Q, die gleich oder voneinander verschieden sein können, aus Halogen, einer Kohlenwasserstoffgruppe, einem Anionliganden und einem neutralen Liganden, der zur Koordination mit einem freien Elektronenpaar fähig ist, ausgewählt sind; und

j eine ganze Zahl von 1 bis 4 ist.

2. Verfahren gemäss Anspruch 1, wobei der Katalysator (1) ferner einen Träger umfasst.

3. Verfahren gemäss Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 2, worin R⁶ und R¹¹ jeweils eine Arylgruppe oder eine substituierte Arylgruppe sind.

4. Verfahren gemäss einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, worin R¹³ und R¹⁴ jeweils eine Kohlenwasserstoffgruppe mit 2 bis 20 Kohlenstoffatomen sind.

5. Verfahren gemäss einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, worin R¹³ und R¹⁴ eine Ethylgruppe, eine n-Propylgruppe, eine Isopropylgruppe, eine n-Butylgruppe, eine Isobutylgruppe, eine tert-Butylgruppe, eine Cyclopentylgruppe, eine Cyclohexylgruppe, eine Cycloheptylgruppe, eine Phenylgruppe, eine m-Tolylgruppe, eine p-Tolylgruppe, eine Benzylgruppe, eine m-(Trifluormethyl)phenyl-Gruppe, eine p-(Trifluormethyl)phenyl-Gruppe, eine Bis(trifluormethyl)phenyl-Gruppe, eine m-Chlorphenylgruppe, eine p-Chlorphenylgruppe oder eine Dichlorphenylgruppe darstellen.

6. Verfahren gemäss einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die überbrückte Metallocenverbindung (a-1) eine Cs-symmetrische Struktur aufweist.

Revendications

1. Procédé de production d'un polymère syndiotactique d'α-oléfine comprenant la polymérisation d'un ou de plusieurs monomères choisis parmi les α-oléfines comportant 2 atomes de carbone ou plus à une température dans la plage de 0 à 170 °C en présence d'un catalyseur (1) qui comprend :

(a-1) un composé de métallocène ponté représenté par la formule [1-1] suivante ; et

(b) au moins un composé choisi parmi :

(b-1) un composé oxy d'organoaluminium,

(b-2) un composé qui réagit avec le composé de métallocène ponté (a-1) pour former une paire d'ions, et

(b-3) un composé d'organoaluminium ;

dans laquelle chacun de R¹, R², R³ et R⁴ est un atome d'hydrogène ;

R⁵, R⁸, R⁹ et R¹², qui peuvent être identiques ou différents les uns des autres, sont chacun choisis parmi un atome d'hydrogène, un groupement hydrocarboné et un groupement contenant du silicium ;

R⁶, R⁷, R¹⁰ et R¹¹, qui peuvent être identiques ou différents les uns des autres, sont chacun choisis parmi un groupement hydrocarboné et un groupement contenant du silicium ;

dans une ou plusieurs paires de groupements adjacents choisies parmi R⁵ et R⁶, R⁷ et R⁸, R⁸ et R⁹, R⁹ et R¹⁰ et R¹¹ et R¹², les groupes adjacents peuvent être liés les uns aux autres pour former un cycle ;

R¹³ et R¹⁴, qui peuvent être identiques ou différents les uns des autres, sont chacun un atome ou un substituant choisi dans le groupe constitué d'un atome d'hydrogène, d'un groupement hydrocarboné comportant 2 à 20 atomes de carbone et d'un groupement contenant un atome de silicium ;

M est Ti, Zr ou Hf ;

Y est un atome de carbone ; et

Q, qui peuvent être identiques ou différents les uns des autres, sont choisis parmi un atome d'halogène, un groupement hydrocarboné, un ligand anionique et un ligand neutre capable d'une coordination avec une paire d'électrons isolée ; et

j est un nombre entier de 1 à 4.

2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le catalyseur (1) comprend en outre un support.

3. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans lequel R⁶ et R¹¹ sont chacun un groupement aryle ou un groupement aryle substitué.

4. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel R¹³ et R¹⁴ sont chacun un groupement hydrocarboné comportant 2 à 20 atomes de carbone.

5. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel R¹³ et R¹⁴ représentent un groupement éthyle, un groupement n-propyle, un groupement isopropyle, un groupement n-butyle, un groupement isobutyle, un groupement tert-butyle, un groupement cyclopentyle, un groupement cyclohexyle, un groupement cycloheptyle, un groupement phényle, un groupement m-tolyle, un groupement p-tolyle, un groupement benzyle, un groupement m-(trifluorométhyl)-phényle, un groupement p-(trifluorométhyl)phényle, un groupement bis(trifluorométhyl)phényle, un groupement m-chlorophényle, un groupement p-chlorophényle ou un groupement dichlorophényle.

6. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le composé de métallocène ponté (a-1) a une structure Cs-symétrique.