Immobilization of metallocenes through noncovalent bonding via MAO to a reversibly cross-linked polystyrene

A novel catalyst system is presented on the basis of a reversibly cross-lin ked polystyrene support bearing nucleophilic functionalities such as ether bridges. The metallocene is bound noncovalently to the supporting polymer, avoiding a polymer analogous metallocene synthesis. A reversible cross-link ing allows the fragmentation of the support during the polymerization proce ss. Propene polymerization with supported Me2Si(2-MeBenzInd)(2)ZrCl2 yields spherical polypropene beads with a diameter of about 1 mm, high melting po ints, high molecular weights, and narrow weight distributions. The properti es, especially the tacticity, are similar to homogeneously polymerized prop ene, and the productivities of up to 8000 kg PP/(mol Zr h bar) are comparab ly high.