Recent developments in olefin polymerizations with transition metal catalysts

Discovery of effective homogeneous transition metal catalysts for olefin po lymerization must be one of the most dramatic technologies for polymer synt hesis in the 1980s. Especially, development of group 4-metallocene catalyst s not only improved the property of manufactured polyolefins but also made us possible to synthesize new type polyolefins. A large number of studies h ave also been made on structure and property of the resultant polyolefins w ith the advance of catalyst technology. Over the past few years, trend in c atalyst development has moved from modification of group 4-metallocene cata lysts to search for new generation catalysts, such as non-metallocene catal ysts and late transition-metal catalysts. Some of the new catalysts can pro ceed specific polymerizations, which are not achieved with existent olefin polymerization catalysts. Although, there are some subjects for the manufac turing of new catalysts and polyolefins, the technologies are progressing r apidly. In this review, we highlight not only the development of polymeriza tion catalysts but also the polyolefins obtained with the new catalysts in the last decade. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.