Terpolymerization of Ethylene/Propylene/Diene Monomers Using (2-PhInd)2ZrCl2 Metallocene Catalysts

(2-PhInd)(2)ZrCl2 was synthesized and used for the first time in the terpolymerization of ethylene, propylene and 5-ethylidiene-2-norbornene (ENB). It showed appropriate activity, high incorporation ability of the comonomers and good workup in terpolymerization. Increasing the [Al]/[Zr] ratio up to 188:1 increased ethylene content and decreased the ENB content of the terpolymer. The higher the polymerization temperature, the lower the ethylene content and higher the ENB content that was obtained. A higher propylene content in the P/E feed ratio and ENB concentration led to higher ENB content of the EPDM product. A compounded EPDM showed good curing properties compared to a commercial EPDM.