US20020028897A1

US20020028897A1 - Copolymers of ethylene and selected acrylate esters

Info

Publication number: US20020028897A1
Application number: US09/870,596
Authority: US
Inventors: Lynda Johnson; Lin Wang; Elizabeth McCord
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: EIDP Inc
Priority date: 2000-05-31
Filing date: 2001-05-31
Publication date: 2002-03-07
Also published as: CN100384892C; EP1292623A2; CN1444606A; BR0111657A; AU2001275070B2; US20020032289A1; US20100029469A1; US6541585B2; WO2001092354A3; CN1626558A; WO2001092342A2; US6897275B2; MXPA02011836A; EP1292624A2; KR20030007830A; WO2001092354A2; AU2001266635A1; US7439314B2; AU2001265260A1; WO2001092347A2

Abstract

In the copolymerization of ethylene and acrylate esters, the use of selected acrylate esters suppresses the formation of acrylate ester homopolymer, and/or allows the rapid analysis by ¹H-NMR of the amount of homopolymer byproduct present in the copolymer, both aids in manufacturing high quality copolymers. Useful such acrylates include hexyl acrylate, 3,5,5-trimethylhexyl acrylate, 2-phenoxyethyl acrylate and 2-phenylethyl acrylate. The polymers are useful for films and molding resins.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 60/208,087 (filed May 31, 2000), 60/211,601 (filed Jun. 15, 2000), 60/214,036 (filed Jun. 23, 2000) and 60/264,537 (filed Jan. 25, 2001), all of which are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth.[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Copolymers of ethylene and selected acrylate esters may be readily analyzed for the presence of acrylate ester homo-polymers, thereby rendering quality control during their manufacture cheaper and faster. A process for copolymer manufacture is also disclosed. The copolymers are useful for films and as molding resins.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Recently it has become possible to prepare copolymers of olefins, especially ethylene, with acrylate esters, using late transition metal polymerization catalysts. See for instance U.S. Pat. No. 5,866,663, and S. D. Ittel, et al., Chem. Rev., vol. 100, p. 1169-1203 (2000), both of which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes as if fully set forth.

One problem that sometimes occurs in these polymerizations is the formation of the desired copolymer together with some amount of a homopolymer of the acrylate ester(s) (more than one ester may be present). This is believed to arise because acrylate esters also undergo facile free radical polymerizations, which can occur in the same system as the transition metal catalyzed copolymerization with ethylene. While analysis of the amount of homopolymer present and also the amount of ester group present in the copolymer can be done by ¹³C—NMR spectroscopy, such analyses are usually very time consuming, resulting in long delays between sampling and results, meaning adjustments to the manufacturing system to minimize homopolymer formation or adjust the level of acrylate incorporation may be delayed a long time, an obvious disadvantage. This together with the high cost of the analysis itself is a drawback for making these copolymers by coordination polymerization.

Therefore homo- and copolymer mixtures that are readily analyzed, or the use of acrylate esters which do not homopolymerize readily under coordination polymerization conditions, are desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns a process for the manufacture of a copolymer, comprising the step of contacting, under polymerization conditions, a monomer component comprising ethylene and one or more acrylate esters (and optionally one or more other polymerizable olefins), and a polymerization catalyst system containing a transition metal, wherein said one or more acrylate esters comprises a compound of the formula H ₂C=CHC(O)OR¹, wherein:

R ¹is —CH₂CH₂X, an n-alkyl containing 6 or more carbon atoms, or —CH₂R²;

X is aryl, substituted aryl, hydrocarbyloxy, substituted hydrocarbyloxy, fluoro or fluoroalkyl; and

R ²is an alkyl containing at least one quaternary carbon atom, or having a grouping within R²having an E_sof about −1.0 or less, or both.

This invention also concerns a copolymer of ethylene, one or more acrylate esters of the formula H ₂C=CHC(O)OR¹(and optionally one or more other copolymerizable monomers), provided that said acrylate esters are about 0.1 to about 30 mole percent of the total number of all repeat units in said copolymer, wherein:

R ¹is —(CH₂CH₂)X, n-alkyl containing 6 or more carbon atoms, or —CH₂R²;

X is aryl, substituted aryl, hydrocarbyloxy, substituted hydrocarbyloxy, fluoro, or fluoroalkyl; and

R ²is alkyl containing at least one quaternary carbon atom, or having a grouping within R²having an E_sof about −1.0 or less, or both.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detailed description. It is to be appreciated that certain features of the invention which are, for clarity, described below in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any subcombination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the [0015] ¹H-NMR spectrum of a mixture of an EGPEA homopolymer in a mixture with an EGPEA compolymer with ethylene, produced as described in Example 1 while making the copolymer with a nickel containing olefin polymerization catalyst. The assignments of some of the various peaks are shown.
FIG. 2 shows a typical [0016] ¹H-NMR of the polymer product from copolymerization of ethylene and methyl acrylate using a nickel containing polymerization catalyst. There is both copolymer and homopolymer present. The homopolymer peak partially lies under a copolymer peak, and the black shaded portion is an illustration (probably not accurate) showing the actual size of the homopolymer peak.
FIG. 3 shows a typical [0017] ¹H-NMR of the polymer product from copolymerization of ethylene and n-hexyl acrylate using a nickel containing polymerization catalyst. There is both copolymer and homopolymer present. The homopolymer peak partially lies under a copolymer peak, but it is easier to estimate the amount of homopolymer present than in the methyl acrylate case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Herein certain terms are used: [0018]
By a “quaternary carbon atom” is meant a carbon atom which is bound to 4 other carbon atoms. An example of a quaternary carbon atom is found in the neopentyl group, —CH[0019] ₂ C(CH₃)₃.
By “aryl” is meant a monovalent group in which the free valence is to a carbon atom of an aromatic ring. The aromatic ring may be a carbocyclic ring or a heterocyclic ring. The aryl group may have one or more aromatic rings, which may be fused, connected by single bonds or other groups. [0020]
A “hydrocarbyl group” is a univalent group containing only carbon and hydrogen. As examples of hydrocarbyls may be mentioned unsubstituted alkyls, cycloalkyls and aryls. If not otherwise stated, it is preferred that hydrocarbyl groups (and alkyl groups) herein contain 1 to about 30 carbon atoms. [0021]
By a “fluoroalkyl” group is meant an alkyl group substituted with one or more fluorine atoms (and may be perfluoroalkyl). Preferably there is at least one fluorine atom alpha or beta, more preferably alpha, to the free valence of the alkyl group. [0022]
By “substituted” herein is meant a group which contains one or more substituent groups which are inert under the process conditions to which the compound containing these groups is subjected. The substituent groups also do not substantially interfere with the process. Included in the meaning of “substituted” are heteroaromatic rings. In substituted groups all of the hydrogens (which may be present) may be substituted, as in trifluoromethyl. [0023]
By “(inert) functional group” herein is meant a group which is inert under the process conditions to which the compound containing the group is subjected. That is, the functional groups do not substantially interfere with any process described herein that the compound in which they are present may take part in. Examples of functional groups include halo (fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo), ether such as —OR[0024] ²², thioether such as —SR²²and amine such as —NR₂ ²²wherein each R²²is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydro-carbyl. In cases in which the functional group may be near a transition metal atom the functional group should not coordinate to the metal atom more strongly than the groups in those compounds are shown as coordinating to the metal atom, that is they should not displace the desired coordinating group.
By “under polymerization conditions” is meant the conditions for a polymerization that are usually used for the particular polymerization catalyst system being used. These conditions include parameters such as pressure, temperature, catalyst and cocatalyst (if present) concentrations, the type of process such as batch, semibatch, continuous, gas phase, solution or liquid slurry etc. Conditions normally done or used with the particular polymerization catalyst system, such as the use of hydrogen for polymer molecular weight control, are also considered “under polymerization conditions”. Other polymerization conditions such as presence of hydrogen for molecular weight control, other polymerization catalysts, etc., are applicable with this polymerization process and may be found in the references cited herein. [0025]
By “copolymerizable olefin” is meant an olefin which, when using the particular polymerization catalyst system chosen, will copolymerize with ethylene and the acrylate ester(s) used, as well as any other comonomers present. [0026]
The steric effect of various groupings has been quantified by a parameter called Es, see R. W. Taft, Jr., [0027] J. Am. Chem. Soc., vol. 74, p. 3120-3128, and M. S. Newman, Steric Effects in Organic Chemistry, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1956, p. 598-603. For the purposes herein, the E_svalues are those for o-substituted benzoates described in these publications. If the value for E_sfor any particular group is not known, it can be determined by methods described in these publications. For the purposes herein, the value of hydrogen is defined to be the same as for methyl. By a group contained within R²having a certain E_sis meant that any portion or all of R²may be arbitrarily chosen (this may be done multiple times), and if that portion has an E_s. of about −1.0 or less, it meets this limitation. For example, if R²was 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl (or in other words the ester was an ester of 3,5,5-trimethylhexan-1-ol), the group —CH₂C(CH₃)₃is found within 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl, and so it would meet the limitation on E_s.
Preferred transition metals herein are in Groups [0028] 3-11 and the lanthanides (IUPAC notation), more preferably Groups 8-11, and especially preferably Group 10. Specific preferred transition metals are Ni, Pd and Cu, and Ni is especially preferred.
Which catalysts will copolymerize what types of olefins are known in the art, see for instance previously incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 5866663 and S. D. Ittel, et al., [0029] Chem. Rev., vol. 100, p. 1169-1203 (2000) (and references cited therein), as well as WO9905189, WO9909078, WO9837110, U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (filed concurrently on May 31, 2001, Applicant's reference CL1607 US NA), and U.S. patent application (filed concurrently on May 31, 2001, Applicant's reference CL1655 US NA), all of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth. These references also give details of polymerization process conditions for such polymerizations, and reference may be had thereto for further details.
Examples of preferred acrylate esters of the formula H[0030] ₂C=CHC(O)OR¹include those wherein:
R[0031] ¹is —CH₂CH₂X, wherein X is hydrocarbyloxy or substituted hydrocarbyloxy, preferably aryloxy and substituted aryloxy, and especially phenoxy; or
R[0032] ¹is —CH₂CH₂X, wherein X is aryl or substituted aryl, preferably X is phenyl; or
R[0033] ¹is n-alkyl containing 6-12 carbon atoms, more preferably R¹is n-hexyl; or
R[0034] ¹is —CH₂R²wherein R contains a quaternary carbon atom, more preferably R²is 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl; or
R[0035] ¹is —CH₂R²wherein R contains a group having an E_sof about −1.0 or less, more preferably about −1.5 or less, and especially preferably about −1.7 or less.
It is preferred that the copolymers described herein have the following features: [0036]
they contain about 1.0 to about 10 mole percent of the acrylate ester; and/or [0037]
when they are a copolymer of only ethylene and one or more acrylate esters, they have at least 10 branches of the formula —(CH[0038] ₂) CH₃, wherein z is 0, 1, 2 or 3, present in the polymer (this is measured by ¹³C and/or ¹H NMR, see for example previously incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 5,866,663 for details of how to measure branching), and more preferably there are more methyl than ethyl branches present in these branched polymers; and/or
when they are a copolymer of only ethylene and one or more acrylate esters, they have at least 50 branches of the formula —(CH[0039] ₂) CH₃, wherein z is 0, 1, 2 or 3, present in the polymers (this is measured by ¹³C and/or ¹H NMR, see for example previously incororated U.S. Pat. No. 5,866,663 for details of how to measure branching).
When R[0040] ¹is —(CH₂CH₂)X or n-alkyl containing 6 or more carbon atoms, analysis of the polymer for acrylate ester homopolymer byproduct is relatively easy by ¹H-NMR, since certain peaks in the NMR spectrum for homopolymer and desired copolymer are separated, see FIG. 1 herein which is a ¹H-NMR of such a mixture. When a more “commonly used” acrylate ester, such as methyl acrylate, is used, the peaks overlap greatly making accurate analysis impossible, as shown in FIG. 2.
Besides reducing analysis costs, a quick and inexpensive analytical method allows changes to be made promptly in the polymerization process, thus ensuring more consistent product and less out of specification product to be made. [0041]
When R[0042] ¹is —CH₂R²as defined above, there is a much lower propensity to form acrylate ester homopolymer, an obvious advantage in making copolymer, since homopolymer formation is much less or nonexistent. This is illustrated in Examples 2 and 3.
The polymers of the present invention are useful as molding resins and for films. They are also (depending on their molecular weight and physical properties) useful as: [0043]
1. Tackifiers for low strength adhesives (U, vol. A1, p. 235-236) are a use for these polymers. Elastomeric and/or relatively low molecular weight polymers are preferred. [0044]
2. The polymers are useful as base resins for hot melt adhesives (U, vol. A1, p. 233-234), pressure sensitive adhesives (U, vol. Al, p. 235-236) or solvent applied adhesives. Thermoplastics are preferred for hot melt adhesives. The polymers may also be used in a carpet installation adhesive. [0045]
3. Base polymer for caulking of various kinds is another use. An elastomer is preferred. Lower molecular weight polymers are often used. [0046]
4. The polymers, particularly elastomers, may be used for modifying asphalt, to improve the physical properties of the asphalt and/or extend the life of asphalt paving, see U.S. Pat. No. 3,980,598. [0047]
5. Wire insulation and jacketing may be made from any of the polymers (see EPSE, vol. 17, p. 828-842). In the case of elastomers it may be preferable to crosslink the polymer after the insulation or jacketing is formed, for example by free radicals. [0048]
6. The polymers, especially the branched polymers, are useful as base resins for carpet backing, especially for automobile carpeting. [0049]
7. The polymers may be used for extrusion or coextrusion coatings onto plastics, metals, textiles or paper webs. [0050]
8. The polymers may be used as a laminating adhesive for glass. [0051]
9. The polymers are useful for blown or cast films or as sheet (see EPSE, vol. 7 p. 88-106; ECT4, vol. 11, p. 843-856; PM, p. 252 and p. 432ff). The films may be single layer or multilayer, the multilayer films may include other polymers, adhesives, etc. For packaging the films may be stretch-wrap, shrink-wrap or cling wrap. The films are useful for many applications such as packaging foods, geomembranes and pond liners. It is preferred that these polymers have some crystallinity. [0052]
10. The polymers may be used to form flexible or rigid foamed objects, such as cores for various sports items such as surf boards and liners for protective headgear. Structural foams may also be made. It is preferred that the polymers have some crystallinity. The polymer of the foams may be crosslinked. [0053]
11. In powdered form the polymers may be used to coat objects by using plasma, flame spray or fluidized bed techniques. [0054]
12. Extruded films may be formed from these polymers, and these films may be treated, for example drawn. Such extruded films are useful for packaging of various sorts. [0055]
13. The polymers, especially those that are elastomeric, may be used in various types of hoses, such as automotive heater hose. [0056]
14. The polymers may be used as reactive diluents in automotive finishes, and for this purpose it is preferred that they have a relatively low molecular weight and/or have some crystallinity. [0057]
15. The polymers can be converted to ionomers, which when they possess crystallinity can be used as molding resins. Exemplary uses for these ionomeric molding resins are golf ball covers, perfume caps, sporting goods, film packaging applications, as tougheners in other polymers, and (usually extruded) detonator cords. [0058]
16. The functional groups on the polymers can be used to initiate the polymerization of other types of monomers or to copolymerize with other types of monomers. If the polymers are elastomeric, they can act as toughening agents. [0059]
17. The polymers can act as compatibilizing agents between various other polymers. [0060]
18. The polymers can act as tougheners for various other polymers, such as thermoplastics and thermosets, particularly if the olefin/polar monomer polymers are elastomeric. [0061]
19. The polymers may act as internal plasticizers for other polymers in blends. A polymer which may be plasticized is poly(vinyl chloride). [0062]
20. The polymers can serve as adhesives between other polymers. [0063]
21. With the appropriate functional groups, the polymers may serve as curing agents for other polymers with complimentary functional groups (i.e., the functional groups of the two polymers react with each other). [0064]
22. The polymers, especially those that are branched, are useful as pour point depressants for fuels and oils. [0065]
23. Lubricating oil additives as Viscosity Index Improvers for multigrade engine oil (ECT3, Vol 14, p. 495-496) are another use. Branched polymers are preferred. Ethylene copolymer with acrylates or other polar monomers will also function as Viscosity Index Improvers for multigrade engine oil with the additional advantage of providing some dispersancy. [0066]
24. The polymers may be used for roofing membranes. [0067]
25. The polymers may be used as additives to various molding resins such as the so-called thermoplastic olefins to improve paint adhesion, as in automotive uses. [0068]
26. A flexible pouch made from a single layer or multilayer film (as described above) which may be used for packaging various liquid products such as milk, or powder such as hot chocolate mix. The pouch may be heat sealed. It may also have a barrier layer, such as a metal foil layer. [0069]
27. A wrap packaging film having differential cling is provided by a film laminate, comprising at least two layers; an outer reverse which is a polymer (or a blend thereof) described herein, which contains a tackifier in sufficient amount to impart cling properties; and an outer obverse which has a density of at least about 0.916 g/mL which has little or no cling, provided that a density of the outer reverse layer is at least 0.008 g/mL less than that of the density of the outer obverse layer. It is preferred that the outer obverse layer is linear low density polyethylene, and the polymer of the outer obverse layer have a density of less than 0.90 g/mL. All densities are measured at 25° C. [0070]
28. Fine denier fibers and/or multifilaments. These may be melt spun. They may be in the form of a filament bundle, a non-woven web, a woven fabric, a knitted fabric or staple fiber. [0071]
29. A composition comprising a mixture of the polymers herein and an antifogging agent. This composition is especially useful in film or sheet form because of its antifogging properties. [0072]
30. If the polymers are functionalized with monomers such as fluoroalkyl acrylate esters or other fluorine-containing monomers, they are useful for selectively imparting surface activity to polyolefins. This would be of use reducing fluid penetration in flash-spun polyolefin films for medical and other applications. The fluoro-functionalized polyolefins would also be useful for dispersing fluoropolymers in lubricant applications. [0073]
31. Mixtures of ethylene homopolymers or oligomers together with copolymers of ethylene and acrylates and optionally other monomers are useful as adhesion promoters, surface active agents, tougheners, and compatibilizers for additives. [0074]
In the above use listings, sometimes a reference is given which discusses such uses for polymers in general. All of these references are hereby included by reference. For the references, “U” refers to W. Gerhartz, et al., Ed., [0075] Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 5th Ed. VCH Verlagsgesellschaft mBH, Weinheim, for which the volume and page number are given, “ECT3” refers to the H. F. Mark, et al., Ed., Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 4th Ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York, “ECT4” refers to the J. I Kroschwitz, et al., Ed., Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 4th Ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York, for which the volume and page number are given, “EPSE” refers to H. F. Mark, et al., Ed., Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, 2nd Ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York, for which volume and page numbers are given, and “PM” refers to J. A. Brydson, ed., Plastics Materials, 5 Ed., Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, UK, 1989, and the page is given.
In the Examples except where noted, all pressures are gauge pressures. In the Examples, the following abbreviations are used: [0076]
Am—amyl [0077]
Ar—aryl [0078]
BAF—B(3,5-C[0079] ₆H₃-(CF₃)₂)₄ ⁻
BArF—B(C[0080] ₆F₅)₄ ⁻
BHT—2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenol [0081]
Bu—butyl [0082]
Cmpd—compound [0083]
E—ethylene [0084]
EG—end-group, refers to the ester group of the acrylate being located in an unsaturated end group of the ethylene copolymer [0085]
EGPEA—2-phenoxyethyl acrylate [0086]
Eoc—end-of-chain [0087]
Equiv—equivalent [0088]
Et—ethyl [0089]
Ets-Bu(%)—percent of ethyl branches occurring in secbutyl-ended branches [0090]
GPC—gel permeation chromatography [0091]
HA—hexyl acrylate [0092]
Hex—hexyl [0093]
IC—in-chain, refers to the ester group of the acrylate being bound to the main-chain of the ethylene copolymer [0094]
Incorp—incorporation [0095]
i-Pr—iso-propyl [0096]
M.W.—molecular weight [0097]
MA—methyl acrylate [0098]
Me—methyl [0099]
MeOH—methanol [0100]
Mes-Bu(%)—percent of methyl branches occurring in sec-butyl-ended branches [0101]
MI—melt index [0102]
Mn—number average molecular weight [0103]
Mp—peak average molecular weight [0104]
Mw—weight average molecular weight [0105]
Nd—not determined [0106]
PDI—polydispersity; Mw/Mn [0107]
PE—polyethylene [0108]
PEA—2-phenethyl acrylate [0109]
Ph—phenyl [0110]
Press—gauge pressure [0111]
RI—refractive index [0112]
Rt—room temperature [0113]
t-Bu—t-butyl [0114]
TCB—1,2,4-trichlorobenzene [0115]
Temp—temperature [0116]
THA—3,5,5-trimethylhexyl acrylate [0117]
TO—number of turnovers per metal center=(moles monomer consumed, as determined by the weight of the isolated polymer or oligomers) divided by (moles catalyst) [0118]
Total Me—total number of methyl groups per 1000 methylene groups as determined by [0119] ¹H or ¹³C NMR analysis
UV—ultraviolet [0120]
[0121] ¹H NMR spectra were obtained on a 500 MHz Bruker Avance spectrometer on a 5 mm QNP probe on samples diluted ˜10 mg/0.5 mL in tce-d2 at 1200C using a 90 degree pulse of 14 μsec, a spectral width of 12.8 kHz, an acquisition time of 2.6 sec and a recycle delay of 30 sec. A total of 8 transients were acquired. Spectra were referenced to tce-d2 at
[0122] 5.928 ppm. Unique peaks in each spectrum from the different types of comonomer signals, for example from 4.25 to 4.55 ppm for the Ethylene/Ethylene glycol phenyl ether acrylate copolymer, and also the PE signals in the region 0.6-2.0 ppm, were carefully integrated and the results used to calculate mole % acrylate incorporation.
Total methyls per 1000 CH[0123] ₂are measured using different NMR resonances in ¹H and 13C NMR spectra. Because of accidental overlaps of peaks and different methods of correcting the calculations, the values measured by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy will not be exactly the same, but they will be close, normally within 10-20% at low levels of acrylate comonomer. In ¹³C NMR spectra, the total methyls per 1000 CH₂are the sums of the 1B₁₁, 1B₂, 1B₃, and 1B₄+, EOC resonances per 1000 CH₂, where the CH₂'s do not include the CH₂'s in the alcohol portions of the ester group. The total methyls measured by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy do not include the minor amounts of methyls from the methyl vinyl ends nor the methyls in the alcohol portion of the ester group. In ¹H NMR spectra, the total methyls are measured from the integration of the resonances from 0.6 to 1.08 ppm and the CH₂'s are determined from the integral of the region from 1.08 to 2.49 ppm. It is assumed that there is 1 methine for every methyl group, and ⅓of the methyl integral is subtracted from the methylene integral to remove the methine contribution. The methyl and methylene integrals are also usually corrected to exclude the values of the methyls and methylenes in the alcohol portion of the ester group, if this is practical. Because of the low levels of incorporation, this is usually a minor correction. Corrections are also made to exclude any contributions from acrylate homopolymer to the methyl or methylene integrals in both the ¹³C and ¹H spectra where this is warranted.
General Information Regarding Molecular Weight Analysis: [0124]
GPC molecular weights are reported versus polystyrene standards. Unless noted otherwise, GPC's were run with RI detection at a flow rate of 1 mL/min at 135° C. with a run time of 30 min. Two columns were used: AT-806MS and WA/P/N 34200. A Waters RI detector was used and the solvent was TCB with 5 grams of BHT per gallon. Dual UV/RI detection GPC was run in THF at rt using a Waters 2690 separation module with a Waters 2410 RI detector and a Waters 2487 dual absorbance detector. Two Shodex columns, KF-806M, were used along with one guard column, KF-G. [0125]
In addition to GPC, molecular weight information was at times determined by [0126] ¹H NMR spectroscopy (olefin end group analysis) and by melt index measurements (g/10 min at 190° C.)
General Procedure A for Ethylene Polymerizations and Co-polymerizations: [0127]
In a nitrogen-filled drybox, a 40 mL glass insert was loaded with the nickel compound and, optionally, a Lewis acid (e.g., BPh[0128] ₃or B(C₆F₅)₃) and borate (e.g., NaBAF or LiBArF), and any other specified cocatalysts and other additives. Next, the solvent was added to the glass insert followed by the addition of any co-solvents and then comonomers. The insert was greased and capped. The glass insert was then loaded in a pressure tube inside the drybox. The pressure tube was then sealed, brought outside of the dry-box, connected to the pressure reactor, placed under the desired ethylene pressure and shaken mechanically. After the stated reaction time, the ethylene pressure was released and the glass insert was removed from the pressure tube. The polymer was precipitated by the addition of MeOH (˜20 mL). The polymer was then collected on a frit and rinsed with MeOH and, optionally, acetone. The polymer was transferred to a pre-weighed vial and dried under vacuum overnight. The polymer yield and characterization were then obtained.

EXAMPLES 1-5

Examples 1-5 are listed in Tables 1 and 2 below. Figures for compounds 1 through 4 are shown above. The polymerizations were carried out according to General Procedure A. Varying amounts of acrylate homopolymer are present in the isolated polymers. In Table 1, the yield of the polymer is reported in grams and includes the yield of the dominant ethylene/acrylate copolymer as well as the yield of any acrylate homopolymer that was formed. Molecular weights were determined by GPC, unless indicated otherwise. Mole percent acrylate incorporation and total Me were determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, unless indicated otherwise. Mole percent acrylate incorporation is typically predominantly IC, unless indicated otherwise.

TABLE 1


E/Acrylate Copolymerizations (6.9 MPa E, 120° C., 18 h)

		Acrylate
		mL	B(C₆F₅)₃		Acrylate			Homo-
	Cmpd	(Solvent	(Borate	Yield^a	Incorp.		Total	polymer^bg
Ex	(mmol)	mL)	equiv)	g	mol %	M.W.	Me	(¹³C NMR)

1	1	EGPEA 2	20 equiv	8.06	1.5	M_p= 3,098;	22.3	—
	(0.02)	(p-Xylene	(NaBAF		0.7 IC	M_w= 3,461;
		8)	10)		0.8 EG	M_n= 1,122;
						PDI = 3.09
2	2	EGPEA 2	40 equiv	2.17	0.03	M_p= 12,550;	Nd	0.031 g
	(0.02)	(TCB 8)	(None)		(¹³C)	M_w= 13,744;		(1.43% of
						M _n= 5,936;		total yield)
						PDI = 2.32
3^e	2	THA 2	40 equiv	2.37	0.23	M_p= 12,775;	43.1	Not detected
	(0.02)	(TCB 8)	(None)		(¹³C)	M_w= 13,777;	(¹³C)
						M_n= 7,165;
						PDI = 1.92
4	3	HA 4	40 equiv	2.09^c	4.0	M_p= 931;	54	—
	(0.02)	(TCB 6)	(None)		2.2 IC	M_w= 1,399;
					1.8 EG	M_n= 856;
						PDI = 1.63
5^d	4	PEA 1	211	0.043	1.4	M_p= 6,238;	44.4	—
	(0.0019)	(TCB 9)	equiv			M_w= 8,319;
			(NaBAF			M_n= 4,238;
			105)			PDI = 1.96





# (IC resonance) and homopolymers of HA and EGPEA shown in the figures herein are approximately 0.03 ppm and 0.08 ppm, respectively;

[0130]

TABLE 2

¹³C NMR Branching Analysis for THA Copolymer of Example 3

Total Hex+ Am+ Bu+ Me_s-Bu Et_s-Bu

Me Me Et Pr Bu & eoc & eoc & eoc (%) (%)

43.1 29.0 4.4 2.1 1.7 3.8 7.5 7.6 2.3 15.1

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A process for the manufacture of a copolymer, comprising the step of contacting, under polymerization conditions, a monomer component comprising ethylene and one or more acrylate esters, and a polymerization catalyst system containing a transition metal, wherein said one or more acrylate esters comprises a compound of the formula H₂C=CHC(O)OR¹, wherein:

R¹is —CH₂CH₂X, an n-alkyl containing 6 or more carbon atoms, or —CH₂R²;

R²is an alkyl containing at least one quaternary carbon atom, or having a grouping within R²having an E_sof about −1.0 or less, or both.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein X is hydrocarbyloxy or substituted hydrocarbyloxy.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein X is aryloxy or substituted aryloxy.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein X is phenoxy.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein X is aryl or substituted aryl.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein X is phenyl.

7. The process of claim 1, wherein R¹is n-alkyl containing 6 to 12 carbon atoms.

8. The process of claim 7, wherein R¹is n-hexyl.

9. The process of claim 1, wherein R¹is —CH₂R²and R²is 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl.

10. The process of claim 1, wherein R¹is —CH₂R²and R2 contains a group having an E_sof about −1.5 or less.

11. The process of claim 1, wherein ethylene and one or more acrylate esters are the only monomers present.

12. The process of claim 1, wherein said transition metal is nickel, palladium or copper.

13. The process of claim 1, wherein said transition metal is nickel.

14. A copolymer of ethylene, one or more acrylate esters and, optionally, one or more other copolymerizable monomers, provided that said acrylate esters are about 0.1 to about 30 mole percent of the total number of all repeat units in said copolymer, and provided that said one or more acrylate esters comprises a compound of the formula H₂C=CHC(O)OR¹, wherein:

R¹is —(CH₂CH₂)X, n-alkyl containing 6 or more carbon atoms, or —CH₂R²;

R²is alkyl containing at least one quaternary carbon atom, or having a grouping within R²having an E_sof about −1.0 or less, or both.

15. The copolymer of claim 14, wherein X is hydrocarbyloxy or substituted hydrocarbyloxy.

16. The copolymer of claim 14, wherein X is aryloxy or substituted aryloxy.

17. The copolymer of claim 14, wherein X is phenoxy.

18. The copolymer of claim 14, wherein X is aryl or substituted aryl.

19. The copolymer of claim 14, wherein X is phenyl.

20. The copolymer of claim 14, wherein R¹is n-alkyl containing 6 to 12 carbon atoms.

21. The copolymer of claim 20, wherein R¹is n-hexyl.

22. The copolymer of claim 14, wherein R¹is —CH₂R²and R²is 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl.

23. The copolymer of claim 14, wherein R¹is —CH₂R²and R²contains a group having an E_sof about −1.5 or less.

24. The copolymer of claim 14, wherein ethylene and said one or more acrylate esters are essentially the only monomers present.

25. The copolymer of claim 24, wherein said copolymer has at least 10 branches of the formula —(CH₂)_zCH₃, wherein z is 0, 1, 2 or 3.

26. The copolymer of claim 25, wherein there are more methyl branches than ethyl branches in said copolymer.

27. The copolymer of claim 24, wherein said copolymer has at least 50 branches of the formula —(CH₂) CH₃, wherein z is 0, 1, 2 or 3.