Abstract: A vanadium-containing catalyst system particularly suited to the polymerization of blow moldable olefin polymers. The catalyst system includes a supported, first catalyst component prepared by contacting preheated silica, with (1) a compound or complex which includes at least one carbon to magnesium covalent bond and (2) a compound which includes at least one carbon to Group III metal covalent bond. The sequence of contact of the silica with compound or complex (1) and compound (2) is optional. However, unless the compound or complex (1) and the compound (2) contact the silica simultaneously, the product of this contact is next contacted with whichever of compound (1) or (2) does not initially contact the silica. The product of the step of contacting with compounds (1) and (2) is contacted with a vanadium compound which includes at least one halogen atom. Finally, the product of the vanadium compound contacting step is contacted with an alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a supported tungsten-based catalyst composition useful for the dimerization of alpha-olefins including ethylene. More particularly, the catalyst composition of the instant invention comprises an organic or inorganic support material that is contacted with a tungsten salt and an organic amine compound.