Catalytic systems based on zirconoces which are able to polymerize ethene have been studied. Structural modifications on the basic catalytic precursor, diphenylmethylidene(η5- cyclopentadienyl)(η5-9-fluorenyl) zirconium dichloride (5a) have been carried out. The catalytic precursors 5a and bis(para-fluorophenyl)methylidene(η5-cyclopentadienyl)(η5-9- fluorenyl)zirconium dichloride (5b) were synthesized, as well the pre-ligand (1- cyclopentadienyl)(9-fluorenyl)[1,1-bis(para-methoxyphenyl)]methane (3c). Complex Ph2C(Cp)(Flu)ZrCl2 was supported on silica by two different techniques. i) directly on silica, grafting, and ii) on silica modified with MAO. Catalytic tests on homopolymerization of ethene and copolymerization of ethene/1- hexene reactions, using the catalytic precursor 5a, were carried out either on homogeneous and heterogeneous media. The polymers obtained were characterized and their properties were correlated with the reaction polymerization conditions. Three different reactors, under different reaction conditions, were employed to carried out polymerization reactions. Several analytical techniques were employed to characterize the pre-ligands, catalytic precursors, polymers, and supports obtained. / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Neste trabalho foram estudados sistemas catalíticos, a base de metalocenos de zircônio, capazes de promover reações de polimerização de eteno. Foram realizadas de modificação estrutural do precursor catalítico base, difenilmetilideno(η5-ciclopentadienil)(η5- 9-fluorenil)zircônio (5a). Os precursores catalíticos metalocênicos 5a e dicloreto de bis(parafluorofenil) metilideno(η5-ciclopentadienil)(η5-9-fluorenil)zircônio (5b) foram sintetizados, como também o pré-ligante (1-ciclopentadienil)(9-fluorenil)[1,1-bis(para-metoxifenil)] metano (3c). O complexo Ph2C(Cp)(Flu)ZrCl2 (5a) foi suportado em sílica através de duas técnicas: i) diretamente em sílica, grafting e ii) em sílica modificada por metilaluminoxano (MAO). Foram realizados testes catalíticos empregando-se o precursor catalítico 5a, tanto em meio homogêneo, quanto heterogêneo, frente a reações de homopolimerização de eteno e copolimerização de eteno/1-hexeno. Os polímeros obtidos foram caracterizados e suas propriedades foram correlacionadas com as condições da reação de polimerização. As reações de polimerização foram realizadas em três diferentes reatores, sob diferentes condições reação. Várias técnicas analíticas foram empregadas para caracterização dos pré-ligantes, precursores catalíticos, polímeros e suportes obtidos.

Metallocene based polypropylene (mPP) with very narrow distribution of molecular weight was peroxide-degraded to materials of four different molecular weights including the original mPP labeled MET1–MET3 and MET0, respectively. Double bonds formed after peroxide-degradation was proved on material surfaces by FTIR-ATR (attenuated total reflection of Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy). The decreasing molecular weight led to gradual decrease of the tensile strength, tensile modulus as well as the strain and to the decrease of the temperature of thermal decomposition. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) of chemically etched surfaces of MET0–MET3 revealed supramolecular structure of commonly occurred structure (radical spherulites) but also supramolecular structure of form (sheaf-like structure). The latter was proved by XRD together with the fact that the content of form decreases with decreasing molecular weight. The mentioned structure differences were not visible on DSC curves because the amount of structure was small and melting temperature, temperature of crystallization and the degree of crystallinity remained the same for all four types of mPP. The structure of the original materials was also characterized after isothermal crystallization performed on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and under polarizing optical microscope (POM). The first was performed at 120–126 °C and the latter at 130 °C (Tic). The materials obtained on DSC always contained the structure and its amount increased with increasing Tic whereas higher content of form was always in MET0 with respect to MET3. The structure was proved by XRD and also by DSC heating run followed immediately after the isothermal process. The latter revealed two endotherms belonging to melting of and forms. The presence of form was on the surfaces proved by CLSM. The formation of structure was in-situ observed on POM and the amount of it decreased with decreasing molecular weight. The spherulite growth rate increased with decreasing molecular weight whereas the rate of crystalline portion expressed as half-time of crystallization decreased with decreasing molecular weight.