Discovery and Development of FI Catalysts for Olefin Polymerization: Unique Catalysis and Distinctive Polymer Formation

Abstract

This review describes the discovery and development of phenoxyimine-based catalysts (FI catalysts) for olefin polymerization. High- activity catalysts have been discovered on the basis of the “ligand oriented catalyst design concept,” a new catalyst design concept for olefin polymerization. The concept has created a series of highly active FI catalysts, many of which display high activities comparable to those of group 4 metallocene catalysts. In addition, FI catalysts can produce a wide variety of polymers that possess unique and unprecedented molecular architectures that are either difficult or impossible to achieve using conventional catalysts.KeywordsBlock copolymerFI catalystsLiving polymerizationOlefin polymerizationPhenoxy-imine