Abstract: Method for the polymerization of alpha-olefins, e.g., ethylene and its higher homologs, to produce high molecular weight polymers by contacting the alpha-olefin or an alpha-olefin mixture to be polymerized with a catalyst formed from a mixture of a first and second component, the first component essentially consisting of a dialkyl, diaryl organoaluminum compound, or aluminum hydride, and preferably a dialkyl aluminum halide, e.g., diethyl aluminum chloride, and the second component essentially consisting of a salt, freshly precipitated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB, VB, VIB or VIII of the Periodic System, and most preferably a salt, such as titanium chloride.

Abstract: Alpha olefins are polymerized alone or in admixture at comparatively low pressures to produce polymers employing a two-component catalyst wherein one component is an organozinc or organomagnesium compound, e.g. zinc diethyl, magnesium diphenyl, propyl magnesium chloride, etc. The other component is a salt, oxide or hydroxide of a metal of Group IV-B, V-B or VI-B of the Periodic System, including thorium and uranium.