Olefin polymerization method using a highly active catalyst having a multidentate ligand

摘要

Disclosed is an olefin polymerization method using a highly active catalyst comprising a transition metal selected from metals of Groups IIIA including the lanthanide series, IVA, VA, VIA, VIIA and VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and ligands L.sup.1 and L.sup.2 bonded thereto, wherein a combination of L.sup.1 and L.sup.2 is (1) a combination of ligand L.sup.1 which is a group containing at least one phosphorus-containing group and ligand L.sup.2 which is a ligand having a &sgr;-bond, or a ligand having a &sgr;-bond and a bond selected from at least one &pgr;-bond and at least one lone electron pair donative bond; (2) a combination of ligand L.sup.1 which is a 5-membered heterocyclic pentadentate ligand having one or more heteroatoms and ligand L.sup.2 which is a ligand having a &sgr;-bond, or a ligand having a &sgr;- bond and a bond selected from at least one &pgr;-bond and at least one lone electron pair donative bond, provided that when the pentadentate ligand contains only one heteroatom, L.sup.2 is a ligand having a &sgr;- bond, or a ligand having a &sgr;-bond and at least one lone electron pair donative bond; and (3) a combination of ligand L.sup.1 which is a trispyrazolyl tridentate ligand and ligand L. sup.2 which is an alkapolyenyl ligand, and wherein each L.sup.1 contains an element of Group VB or Group VIB. By the method of the present invention, a desired olefin polymer can be produced efficiently with a high productivity per unit by weight of the catalyst.