Kaminsky catalyst (isotactic)

Other names: dichloridobis(η⁵-indenyl)hafnium

C₂₀H₁₈HfCl₂

15/50 common

This dichlorobis(η⁵-indenyl)hafnium is a kind of Kaminsky catalyst used for the production of isotactic polyolefins, which means that all produced substrate sites have the same stereochemistry. Its structure consists of a hafnium center coordinated to two pentahaptic indenyl ligands and two chloride ligands, forming a constrained geometry complex that enforces stereoregular polymerization. When activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO), it enables precise control over polymer microstructure, yielding highly crystalline isotactic polymers which may have superior mechanical properties in some contexts . This advancement, pioneered by Walter Kaminsky, significantly improved the efficiency and control of Ziegler-Natta catalysis in industrial polymer production.