Adv Polym Sci (2013) 258: 179–232
DOI: 10.1007/12_2013_210
# Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
Published online: 12 June 2013
Functional Polyolefins Through
Polymerizations by Using Bis(indenyl)
Zirconium Catalysts
Jukka Seppa ¨la ¨, Esa Kokko, Petri Lehmus, Anneli Pakkanen ne ´e Malmberg,
Kimmo Hakala, Sami Lipponen, and Barbro Lo ¨fgren
Abstract The discovery of metallocene catalysts has enabled synthesis of new
polyolefin structures through the ability to incorporate comonomers that are not
applicable using Ziegler–Natta or other conventional olefin polymerization
catalysts. Extensive research has been carried out on the copolymerization behavior
of different bis(indenyl) zirconium catalysts in order to understand their comonomer response, chain termination mechanisms, and chain-end isomerization.
Metallocene-catalyzed copolymerization enables unforeseen material structures,
leading to functional polyolefins with strongly or weakly interacting comonomers
or long-chain branches. These copolymers show interesting technical properties
like reactive functionality, compatibility, adhesion properties, and modified
rheology.
Keywords Catalysts Á Functional polyolefins Á Long-chain branched
polyethylenes Á Olefin copolymers Á Polyolefin compatibilization Á Siloxysubstituted metallocenes
J. Seppa ¨la ¨ (*) and B. Lo ¨fgren
Department of Biotechnology and Chemical Technology, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
e-mail: jukka.seppala@aalto.fi
E. Kokko and A. Pakkanen ne ´e Malmberg
Borealis Polymers Oy, Porvoo, Finland
P. Lehmus
Neste Oil Corporation, Technology Centre, Porvoo, Finland
K. Hakala
Borouge Pte Ltd, Innovation Centre, Ruwais, United Arab Emirates
S. Lipponen
Styrochem Finland Oy, Porvoo, Finland
DOI: 10.1007/12_2013_210
# Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
Published online: 12 June 2013
Functional Polyolefins Through
Polymerizations by Using Bis(indenyl)
Zirconium Catalysts
Jukka Seppa ¨la ¨, Esa Kokko, Petri Lehmus, Anneli Pakkanen ne ´e Malmberg,
Kimmo Hakala, Sami Lipponen, and Barbro Lo ¨fgren
Abstract The discovery of metallocene catalysts has enabled synthesis of new
polyolefin structures through the ability to incorporate comonomers that are not
applicable using Ziegler–Natta or other conventional olefin polymerization
catalysts. Extensive research has been carried out on the copolymerization behavior
of different bis(indenyl) zirconium catalysts in order to understand their comonomer response, chain termination mechanisms, and chain-end isomerization.
Metallocene-catalyzed copolymerization enables unforeseen material structures,
leading to functional polyolefins with strongly or weakly interacting comonomers
or long-chain branches. These copolymers show interesting technical properties
like reactive functionality, compatibility, adhesion properties, and modified
rheology.
Keywords Catalysts Á Functional polyolefins Á Long-chain branched
polyethylenes Á Olefin copolymers Á Polyolefin compatibilization Á Siloxysubstituted metallocenes
J. Seppa ¨la ¨ (*) and B. Lo ¨fgren
Department of Biotechnology and Chemical Technology, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
e-mail: jukka.seppala@aalto.fi
E. Kokko and A. Pakkanen ne ´e Malmberg
Borealis Polymers Oy, Porvoo, Finland
P. Lehmus
Neste Oil Corporation, Technology Centre, Porvoo, Finland
K. Hakala
Borouge Pte Ltd, Innovation Centre, Ruwais, United Arab Emirates
S. Lipponen
Styrochem Finland Oy, Porvoo, Finland