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High‐Throughput Approaches for the Discovery and Optimization of New Olefin Polymerization Catalysts
Author(s) -
Murphy Vince,
Bei Xiaohong,
Boussie Thomas R.,
Brümmer Oliver,
Diamond Gary M.,
Goh Christopher,
Hall Keith A.,
Lapointe Anne M.,
Leclerc Margarete,
Longmire James M.,
Shoemaker James A.W.,
Turner Howard,
Weinberg W. Henry
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
the chemical record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.61
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1528-0691
pISSN - 1527-8999
DOI - 10.1002/tcr.10025
Subject(s) - polymerization , workflow , catalysis , olefin polymerization , throughput , polyolefin , computer science , process engineering , chemistry , materials science , nanotechnology , polymer , engineering , organic chemistry , database , operating system , layer (electronics) , wireless
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. © 2002 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Chem Rec 2: 278–289; 2002: Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com) DOI 10.1002/tcr.10025