Characteristics of Copolymerization of Ethylene/1-Octene with rac- $Me_2Si(2-p-tolylindenyl)_2ZrCl_2$ Catalyst

The copolymerization characteristics of a newly-synthesized catalyst, rac-Me2Si(2-p-tolylindenyl)2ZrCl2, and its analogue, rac-Me2Si(Ind)2ZrCl2, were examined in the ethylene/1-octene copolymerization while varying the concentration of 1-octene in the reaction mixture. The activity of rac-Me2Si(2-p-tolylindenyl)2ZrCl2 catalyst was decreased with increase of comonomer concentration, which is different from the usual comonomer effect of the metallocene catalysts with a bridge structure. The contents of 1-octene in the copolymer from the catalyst with 2-p-tolyl substituent were higher than those from the catalyst without that substituent. The melting point, crystallinity, and molecular weight decreased with comonomer content which was more apparent for rac-Me2Si(2-p-tolylindenyl)2ZrCl2 catalyst.