Preparation of partially hydrogenated rac-ansa-metallocene complexes

A process for the production of new partially hydrogenated metallocene complexes comprises reaction of optionally bridged transition metal complexes with cyclopentadienyl derivatives and at least partial hydrogenation with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. A process for the production of partially hydrogenated metallocene complexes (I) comprises reaction of optionally bridged transition metal complexes of formula (1) with cyclopentadienyl derivatives of formula (2) at -78 to +250 degreesC, optionally in the presence of radicals or radical initiators to form a complex of formula (3) and at least partial hydrogenation with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. M = Ti, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, a Group 3 element or a lanthanide; X = F, Cl, Br, I, H, 1-10C alkyl, 6-15C aryl, (1-10C)alkyl-(6-20C)aryl, -OR10 or -NR10R11; n = 1-4; R1-R8, R', R = H, halo, 1-20C alkyl, 3-8 membered cycloalkyl optionally substituted by 1-10C alkyl, 6-15C aryl, (1-10C)alkyl-(6-20C)aryl, and neighboring R2-R7 optionally form 4-15C optionally unsaturated cyclic groups, -Si(R9)3, -OR10, -SR10, -N(R10)2 or -P(R10)2, optionally substituted by heteroatoms; R9 = 1-20C alkyl, 3-6C cycloalkyl or 6-15C aryl optionally substituted by heteroatoms; R10 = 1-10C alkyl, 6-15C aryl, 3-10C cycloalkyl, alkylaryl or Si(R)3; R11 = 1-10C alkyl, 6-15C aryl, 3-10C cycloalkyl or alkylaryl; Y, Y1 = formula (4)-(9), =BR12, =AlR12, -Ge-, -Sn-, -O-, -S-, =SO, =SO2, =NR12, =CO, =PR12 or =P(O)R12; R12 = H, halo, 1-10C (fluoro)alkyl, 6-10C (fluoro)aryl, 1-10C alkoxy, 2-10C alkenyl, 7-40 C arylalkyl, alkylaryl or arylalkenyl or two R12 groups together with the atoms they are bonded to form a ring; M1 = Si, Ge or Sn; m = 0-3; T = formula (10)-(12); T' = formula (13)-(15); R13, R13', R14, R14' = H, halo, 1-20C alkyl, 3-8 membered cycloalkyl optionally substituted by 1-10C alkyl, 6-15C aryl, (1-10C)alkyl-(6-20C)aryl, -OR10, -SR10, -N(R10)2, -P(R10)2 or Si(R9)3; Z' = -(Q(R15)(R16))q-; Q = Si, Ge, Sn or C; R15, R16 = 1-10C alkyl, 3-10C cycloalkyl or 6-15C aryl; q = 1-4; R17-R20, R17'-R20' = 1-20C alkyl, 3-8 membered cycloalkyl optionally substituted by 1-10C alkyl, 6-15C aryl or alkylaryl whereby neighboring groups optionally form 4-15C cyclic groups or Si(R11)3; M2 = alkali- or alkaline earth metal cation; and p = 1 or 2. An Independent claim is also included for racemic metallocene complexes of formula (3) where the olefinic bonds of groups (10-(15) are hydrogenated.