Abstract:
An α-olefin/unconjugated cyclic polyene copolymer (A) which comprises structural units (I) derived from an α-olefin and structural units (II) derived from a cycloolefin containing a vinyl group, has a molecular-weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 2.7 or lower, and is noncrystalline or has low crystallinity with a quantity of heat of crystal fusion (ΔH) less than 90 kJ/kg. The copolymer is efficiently produced with a specific transition metal catalyst having a ligand having a phenoxyimine skeleton. The copolymer has a narrower molecular-weight distribution than existing copolymers and has a high vinyl group content. Because of this, the copolymer can give a crosslinked object having excellent tensile properties. When the copolymer is used as a plasticizer for a polymer, e.g., a rubber, the resultant composition shows excellent processability and gives a crosslinked object excellent in mechanical strength, rubber elasticity, etc. Converting vinyl group parts contained in the copolymer to polar groups gives polyolefin materials having various functions imparted thereto.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an olefin polymer having a narrow molecular weight distribution and a specific molecular weight, an olefin polymer having a functional group introduced at the terminal, a tapered polymer containing a segment wherein monomer composition continuously changes in the polymer chain, an olefin polymer having different segments which are bonded to each other, and a process for preparing these polymers. The olefin polymers of the invention are polymers of olefins of 2 to 20 carbon atoms and have a number-average molecular weight of not less than 500 and Mw/Mn of not more than 1.5. In the process for preparing an olefin polymer, an olefin of 2 to 20 carbon atoms is polymerized in the presence of an olefin polymerization catalyst comprising a transition metal compound represented by, for example, the following formula (I): LmMXn wherein M is a transition metal atom of Group 3 to Group 11 of the periodic table, m is 1 to 5, n is a number satisfying a valence of M, L is a ligand coordinated to the central metal M and is a ligand containing a heteroatom having no direct bond to the central metal, and X is a halogen atom, a hydrocarbon group or the like.