A single-site olefin polymerization catalyst and method of making it are
disclosed. The catalyst comprises an activator and an organometallic
complex. The complex comprises a Group 3 to 10 transition or lanthanide
metal, M, and at least one chelating N-oxide ligand that is bonded to M.
Molecular modeling results indicate that single-site catalysts based on
certain chelating N-oxide ligands (e.g., 2-hydroxypyridine) will rival the
performance of catalysts based on cyclopentadienyl and substituted
cyclopentadienyl ligands.
