Immobilization of eta(5)-cyclopentadienyltris(dimethylamido) zirconium polymerization catalysts on a chlorosilane- and HMDS-modified mesoporous silica surface: a new concept for supporting metallocene amides towards heterogeneous single-site-catalysts

The modification of a mesoporous silica surface with Si(Ind)(CH3)(2)Cl and the immobilization of CpZr(NMe2)(3) on this surface was studied via IR-spec troscopy. To reduce side reactions, the indenyl-modified silica was reacted with hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) under IR-control before the CpZr(NMe2)(3) -immobilization. The role of the hydroxyl group protection with HMDS is dis cussed. The surface modifications have been repeated via Schlenk technique at the same conditions and the surface modifications were studied with C-13 CP MAS-NMR, H-1 MAS-NMR, elemental-, SEM- and BET-analysis. The surface sp ecies of the resulting catalysts are discussed. The precatalysts have been treated with methylaluminoxane (MAO) (Al:Zr (mol:mol) = 500:1) and the resu lting Zr contents (leaching-effect) are discussed. All catalysts have been tested in ethylene and propylene polymerization. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.