Immobilization of a C-2-symmetric ansa-zirconocene complex on silica surfaces using a Si-Cl anchor: Catalysts for isospecific propene polymerization

A C-2-symmetric ansa-zirconocene complex which has a Si-Cl moiety on its br idge was immobilized on SiO2 by the reaction of the Si-Cl anchor with Si-OH on the solid surface. The prepared solid catalyst was found to be effectiv e for isospecific propene polymerization. It exhibited higher productivity compared to a catalyst prepared using the zirconocene without a Si-Cl ancho r. The effect of pretreatment of silica surfaces with Me3SiCl on catalyst p erformance is also described.