Synthesis of Disentangled Ultra‐High Molecular Weight Polyethylene using Vanadium(V)‐Based Catalysts

Two known imido vanadium(V) trichloride complexes, [Cl 3 V=N–C 6 H 3 ‐2,6‐Me 2 ] ( 1 ) and [Cl 3 V=N–C 6 H 3 ‐2,6‐ i Pr 2 ] ( 2 ), both of which have escaped testing as ethylene polymerization catalyst precursors, were synthesized and their capacity to polymerize ethylene in the presence of the co‐catalyst MAO (methylaluminoxane) (Al:V ratio: 1000:1) at 10 °C is reported. The resulting polymers, from both catalysts, have molecular weights exceeding 1–2 million g / mol as suggested by the insolubility at high temperature and rheological measurements. According to the rheological and DSC annealing characterizations the synthesized Ultra‐High Molecular Weight PolyEthylene from both 1 and 2 show features of a high degree of disentanglement.