High-throughput approaches for the discovery and optimization of new olefin polymerization catalysts.
The discovery of new olefin polymerization catalysts is currently a time-intensive trial-and-error process with no guarantee of success. A fully integrated high-throughput screening workflow for the discovery of new catalysts for polyolefin production has been implemented at Symyx Technologies. The workflow includes the design of the metal-ligand libraries using custom-made computer software, automated delivery of metal precursors and ligands into the reactors using a liquid-handling robot, and a rapid primary screen that serves to assess the potential of each metalligand-activator combination as an olefin polymerization catalyst. "Hits" from the primary screen are subjected to secondary screens using a 48-cell parallel polymerization reactor. Individual polymerization reactions are monitored in real time under conditions that provide meaningful information about the performance capabilities of each catalyst. Rapid polymer characterization techniques support the primary and secondary screens. We have discovered many new and interesting catalyst classes using this technology.
Symyx Technologies Inc, 3100 Central Expressway, Santa Clara, CA 95051, USA. vmurphy@symyx.com
Vince
V
Murphy
Xiaohong
X
Bei
Thomas R
TR
Boussie
Oliver
O
Brümmer
Gary M
GM
Diamond
Christopher
C
Goh
Keith A
KA
Hall
Anne M
AM
Lapointe
Margarete
M
Leclerc
James M
JM
Longmire
James A W
JA
Shoemaker
Howard
H
Turner
W Henry
WH
Weinberg