Abstract: A process for making a magnesium-containing supported titanium-containing, alpha-olefin polymerization or co-polymerization catalyst or catalyst component having a large particle size, semi-spherical particle shape and high resistance to attrition.

Abstract: A novel catalyst support and a method for preparation thereof, characterized by the presence of selected amounts of a hydrocarbon soluble magnesium-containing compound applied to the support relative to solvent, wherein a surface uniformly and essentially continuously moistened with the solvated magnesium compound is achieved in a condition of incipient precipitation to permit the formation of a regular essentially continuous distribution of the magnesium compound onto and conforming to the support material The drying process under these conditions is effective in maintaining to a high degree the effective surface area and pore volume of the material. The support containing the adsorbed magnesium is then dried in a controlled manner to essential incipient wetness conditions providing a regular spatial distribution of stacked reticular magnesium values at a level of one to five molecular monolayers on the support.

Abstract: Catalytic solids based on titanium trichloride complex, usable for the stereospecific polymerization of alpha-olefins, obtained by heat treatment, in the presence of a halogenated activating agent, of the liquid material resulting from bringing TiCl.sub.4, pretreated with an electron-donor compound, into contact with a composition (C) corresponding to the general formulaAlR.sub.p (Y) .sub.q X .sub.3-(p+q)in whichR represents a hydrocarbon radical or a hydrogen atom;Y represents a group chosen from --OR', --SR' and --NR'R", in which R' and R" each represent a hydrocarbon radical or a hydrogen atom;X represents a halogen;p is an arbitrary number such that 0<p<3; andq is an arbitrary number such that 0<q<3; the sum (p+q) being such that 0<(p+q).ltoreq.3.These catalytic solids of controllable porosity permit the production of a wide range of propylene polymers, in particular the propylene and ethylene copolymers known as "block" copolymers.

Abstract: A polymerization catalyst useful for the polymerization of olefins is prepared by contacting a metal dihalide compound having a metal selected from Group 2 and Group 12 of the Periodic Table and a transition metal compound which is a hydrocarbyloxide of a transition metal selected from Group 4 and Group 5 to thereby form a first catalyst component; contacting the first catalyst component with at least one organoaluminum precipitating agent to form a solid product; and contacting the solid product with an ester and then an activating agent to form a catalyst. Other aspects of the invention include a catalyst produced by the above described process and a polymerization process employing the thus produced catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a supported procatalyst intended for the polymerization of olefines, in which particles are formed of magnesium dihalide and alcohol, the particles are reacted with an organic compound of a metal from the groups I-III, the thus obtained particulate product is activated by means of a titanium and/or vanadium compound and optionally a donor, and optionally a prepolymerization is carried out for the activated particles. A problem of such a method is how to form particles of magnesium dihalogenide and alcohol having a structure advantageous for the polymerization of olefins. The problem has in the present invention been solved so that the particles are formed by spray crystallizing (spray freezing) a mixture of magnesium dihalide and alcohol to complex particles of magnesium dihalide and alcohol. The hydroxyl content of the particles so obtained is much greater than earlier, which results in a much more active procatalyst than the preceding ones.

Abstract: Olefin polymerization catalysts, processes for preparing the catalysts and processes for producing polyolefins utilizing the catalysts are provided. The catalysts are basically comprised of a pentadienyl derivative-transition metal complex adsorbed on an activated inorganic refractory compound.

Abstract: A solid component of a catalyst for the (co)polymerization of ethylene is composed of a silica carrier and a catalytically active part which includes titanium, magnesium, chlorine and also alkoxy groups, and is obtained: by suspending an activated silica in an ethanolic solution of magnesium chloride; by contact of the suspension with an alkoxy or halogen alkoxyde of titanium and with a silicon halide; by eliminating the ethanol from the resulting suspension in order to recover a solid matter; and by making this solid react with an aluminum alkyl chloride.

Abstract: A transition-metal catalyst component for a Ziegler catalyst system, obtainable by1) mixing an inorganic, oxidic carrier with a transition-metal starting component in an organic solvent,2) removing the solvent by evaporation,3) mixing the solid-phase intermediate from step (2) with3.1) an organoaluminum catalyst component of the formula AlR.sub.m X.sub.3-m, whereR is a C.sub.1 - to C.sub.18 -hydrocarbon radical,m is from 1 to 3, andX is OR, chlorine, bromine or hydrogen, and3.2) an organic carboxylate or an organosilicon compound or a mixture thereof in an organic solvent, and4) if desired, isolating the solid-phase intermediate by filtration, washing and drying,and the use thereof for the homopolymerization or copolymerization of ethene are described.

Abstract: A polymerization catalyst system is formed by combining an organometal compound and a transition metal compound to produce a catalyst A; and combining catalyst A and a catalyst B comprising a rare earth complex having a formula Cp.sub.n MX.sub.4-n.M'L.sub.x, wherein Cp is cyclopentadienyl or cyclopentadienyl substituted with an alkyl or alkyl silyl radical, M is yttrium, scandium or a rare earth metal having an atomic number in the range of 57 to 71, M' is an alkali metal, L is a suitable electron donor ligand, X is a halogen, n is 1 or 2, and x is a number corresponding to the value needed to form a stable complex.Optionally catalyst A is contacted with a rare earth metal halide.Optionally catalyst B is contacted with an alkali or alkaline earth metal alkyl.Optionally a hydrocarbyl aluminum compound can be contacted with catalyst B or with the catalyst system.

Abstract: A polymerization catalyst is formed by producing a solution of a Group IIA or Group IIB halide and an alcohol; contacting the solution with an organometallic compound to form a soluble complex; and contacting the soluble complex with a halide ion exchanging source. An ester or an anhydride can also be combined with the halide solution or the soluble complex. The catalyst thus produced can be combined with an organometallic cocatalyst.

Abstract: A solid catalyst component for ethylene (co)polymerization, consisting of a particulate silica support and a catalytically active part containing titanium, magnesium, chlorine and alkoxy groups is obtained by a) preparing a solution of magnesium chloride in ethanol; b) impregnating particulate silica with said solution; c) eliminating the unabsorbed ethanol from the suspension; d) eliminating absorbed ethanol from the solid; e) interacting the resultant solid with a titanium chloride, alkoxide or chloroalkoxide; and possibly interacting with an alkylaluminium chloride. In a preferred embodiment in stage e), a silicon halide is added to improve the catalyst activity.

Abstract: A process is provided for the synthesis of a solid Ziegler catalyst or of a transition metal solid constituent thereof, which entails preparing the solid catalyst or constituent thereof as a suspension in an inert liquid medium by contacting precursors or ingredients of the catalyst or of the constituent in the inert liquid medium in one or more steps, and drying the suspension, and collecting the catalyst or constituent thereof; and wherein the process is conducted in a single multi-function reactor having a longitudinal axis and which can pivot around an axis which intersects perpendicularly with this axis.

Abstract: Ziegler-Natta-type catalyst systems containing, as active constituents,a) a titanium-containing solid component which also contains magnesium, halogen and a carboxylic acid ester, and, as cocatalyst,b) an aluminum compound,wherein the carboxylic acid ester in the solid component is a diester of a carboxylic acid of the formula Ia or Ib ##STR1## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are identical or different and are hydrogen, C.sub.1 - to C.sub.15 -alkyl, C.sub.7 - to C.sub.15 -alkylaryl, or 5- to 7-membered cycloalkyl, which may itself carry C.sub.1 - to C.sub.10 -alkyl groups, are particularly suitable for the preparation of polypropylene and copolymers of propylene containing minor amounts of other .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated olefinic compounds having from 2 to 12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A catalytic component having controlled strucuture for use in combination with a cocatalyst for the polymerization of ethylene, and being the product of the process of subjecting a component consisting essentially of titanium, magnesium, and chlorine to a reduction treatment and after such treatment contacting the component with a transition metal chlorine-containing compound and process of polymerizing ethylene using such catalytic component to produce polymers having a broad molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: A polymerization catalyst is formed by combining a metal halide compound, a solvent, an effective amount of water to reduce fines and increase particle size, and a transition metal compound to form a first catalyst component and mixing the first catalyst component with a precipitating agent. After mixing the first catalyst component and the precipitating agent, the mixture can be heated to a temperature higher than the mixing temperature to reduce polymer fines. In the alternative prepolymer can be deposited on the catalyst(s) in an amount effective to reduce polymer fines. Optionally the catalyst can be treated with a halide ion exchanging source. The catalyst can also be combined with an organometallic cocatalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a supported polymerization catalyst in a multi-function reactor (1) which is equipped with a mixer (2) and at the bottom of which there is fitted a downward substantially conically converging sieve tray (3), possibly detachable, and in which there are carried out, as required for the preparation of the catalyst, an activation stage, i.e. the treatment of the catalyst support with a transition metal compound, washing stages using a suitable solvent, and drying stages using an inert gas, and possibly a prepolymerization of a suitable monomer by means of the obtained activated catalyst and a co-catalyst and possible other compounds, for example a polymerization medium.

Abstract: A process for preparing a solid catalyst component which comprises halogenating a magnesium compound in the formula MgRR.sup.1.nCO.sub.2 in which R and R.sup.1 are the same or different alkoxy or phenoxy groups and n is a number of from 0 to 2 with a halide of tetravalent titanium in the presence of dialkylester of a dihydric aromatic carboxylic acid and an inert hydrocarbon diluent by reacting at a temperature of from 120.degree. to 136.degree. C. and recovering the solid reaction product from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A solid catalyst component prepared under specific conditions by reacting with a reaction product which has been obtained by suspending diethoxymagnesium in an alkylbenzene and bringing the suspension into contact with titanium tetrachloride, phthaloyl dichloride at 80.degree.-125.degree. C.

Abstract: A catalyst useful for polymerizing olefins is prepared by contacting a highly porous magnesium-containing aluminum oxide support with an alcohol, then contacting the resulting solid with a mixture of titanium tetrachloride and dialkyl phthalate, and then contacting the resulting solid with additional titanium tetrachloride.

Abstract: A supported catalyst for polymerizing 1-olefins, for example, ethylene, is prepared by depositing a chromium compound and a titanium compound on a refractory oxide support which is substantially non-spherical, and which has a relatively broad particle size distribution range. The catalyst is preferably combined, either outside of the polymerization vessel or in situ, with a sufficient amount of at least one magnesium composition of the formula RMgR', where R and R' are the same or different and they are C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 hydrocarbyl groups, to provide a molar ratio of magnesium to chromium in the catalyst composition of about 0.01:1 to about 25:1. The resulting catalyst composition has good feedability and fluidization characteristics, and it produces resins of relatively high HLMI at relatively low temperatures.

Abstract: An olefin polymerization catalyst composition contains:(1) a zirconium compound, containing pi-bonded organic ligands of the formula:Cp.sub.m ZrA.sub.n X.sub.qwherein Cp is unsubstituted or substituted cyclopentadienyl, m is 1, 2 or 3, A is a halogen, hydrogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group, a metalloalkyl or a group of the following general formula: ##STR1## where R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl group, hydrogen, a halogen or a metalloalkyl group and n is 0, 1 or 2, X is a halogen, hydrogen or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group, providing that q+m+n=valence or Zr; and(2) a catalyst activator which contains a mixture of(i) an organoaluminum compound having the formula:R.sub.p 'AlX.sub.(k-p) ' or R.sub.3 'Al.sub.2 X.sub.3 'where R' is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group, p is 1 or 2, X' is a halogen and k is the valence of aluminum; and(ii) a dialkylmagnesium compound, preferably soluble in hydrocarbons, having the formula:MgR.sub.t " or MgR.sub.r "R.sub.(t-r) "where R" is a C.sub.2 -C.sub.

Abstract: Ziegler-Natta-type catalyst systems contain as active constituentsa) atitanium-containing solid component which contains titanium, magnesium, halogen and a norbornadienedicarboxylate of the formula I ##STR1## as electron donor, where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -alkyl or 5- to 7-membered cycloalkyl which in turn can carry C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -alkyl groups,b) an aluminum component andc) another electron donor component,and are particularly suitable for preparing polypropylene and copolymers of propylene with minor amounts of other .alpha.-olefins with 2 to 8 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A solid hydrocarbon-insoluble, alpha-olefin polymerization catalyst component with superior activity, stereospecificity and morphology characteristics comprising the product formed by A) forming a solution of a magnesium-containing species from a magnesium alkyl (or hydrocarbyl) carbonate or a magnesium carboxylate; B) precipitating solid particles from such solution by treatment with a transition metal halide; C) reprecipitating such solid particles from a mixture containing a cyclic ether; D) treating the reprecipitated particles with a transition metal compound and an electron donor; and E) drying the resulting solid particles such that the residual volatile hydrocarbon content is between 0.1 and 0.9 weight percent.

Abstract: A process as disclosed for improving the particle size of a olefin polymerization catalyst. The process involves combining the catalyst with an alkoxide-containing liquid comprising a transition metal alkoxide and an aluminum alkyl, causing said alkoxide and said aluminum alkyl to react for form a precipitate and then recovering the resulting solid. Also disclosed are the catalysts produced by such a process and the use of such catalysts in the polymerization of olefins.

Abstract: A process for preparing a transition metal component for a catalyst system wherein a specified aluminosiloxane derivative is reacted with a monohalopenated, alkylated, or alkoxylated compound of magnesium and the reaction product is chlorinated and reacted with a transition metal; a catalyst system comprising such transition metal component and a cocatalyst selected from organometallic compounds of a metal of Groups I through III of the Periodic Table; and the process of synthesizing olefin homopolymers and copolymers utilizing such catalyst system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a heterogeneous metallocene catalyst component from a suitably substituted metallocene of the sub-group 4 of the Periodic Table of the Elements and from poly(methylhydrogensiloxane) under the concomitant action of a catalyst. The metallocene component and a suitable aluminoxane can be used as catalyst for the polymerization of 1-olefins, cyclic olefins, diolefins and cyclic diolefins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a Ziegler-Natta type catalyst based on a vanadium compound precipitated on a MgCl.sub.2 spherical support. The catalyst preparation consists of contacting within a liquid hydrocarbon a vanadium-reducing agent chosen from organometallic compounds with a vanadium compound soluble in the liquid hydrocarbon containing at least one halogen and one alkoxy group, and with a support containing (i) MgCl.sub.2 free from Mg-C bond and (ii) an organic electron donor compound free from labile hydrogen. The support consists of spherical particles having a well-defined diameter and a narrow particle size distribution. The catalyst is particularly suitable for manufacturing in a gas phase process elastomeric copolymers of propylene.

Abstract: A supported, electron donor-complexed reduced vanadium.sup.(<3) /zirconium coimpregnated catalyst possessing enhanced activity, the methods of its manufacture and ethylene polymers of broad molecular weight distribution produced therewith.

Abstract: A vanadium catalyst component for the polymerization of 1-olefins and a process for making said catalyst component are disclosed. The catalyst component is prepared by fluoriding a support comprising silica. Use of the catalyst component provides a catalyst with increased activity, increased response to hydrogen for chain termination, increased response to comonomer for resin density reduction, and allows the molecular weight distribution of the polymers to be independently controlled by controlling the amount of fluorination and the fluorination temperature.

Abstract: A process for preparing a solid catalyst component which comprises halogenating a magnesium compound in the formula MgRR.sup.1.nCO.sub.2 l in which R and R.sup.1 are the same or different alkoxy or phenoxy groups and n is a number of from 0 to 2 with a halide of tetravalent titanium in the presence of dialkylester of a dihydric aromatic carboxylic acid and an inert hydrocarbon diluent by reacting at a temperature of from 120.degree. to 136.degree. C. and recovering the solid reaction product from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a Ziegler-Natta type catalyst based on vanadium and titanium compounds precipitated on a MgCl.sub.2 spherical support. The catalyst preparation consists of contacting within a liquid hydrocarbon a vanadium- and titanium-reducing agent chosen from organometallic compounds with a vanadium compound and a titanium compound, both soluble in the liquid hydrocarbon, in a molar ratio V/Ti from 70/30 to 99.5/0.5 and a support containing (i) MgCl.sub.2 free from Mg-C bond and (ii) an organic electron donor compound free from labile hydrogen. The support consists of spherical particles having a well-defined diameter and a narrow particle size distribution. The catalyst is particularly suitable for manufacturing in a gas phase process elastomeric copolymers of propylene.

Abstract: A catalyst useful in the polymerization of olefins is disclosed. The catalyst is produced by initially treating an inert inorganic compound to remove surface hydroxy groups. The thus treated inorganic compound is contacted with a hydrocarbon soluble magnesium compound in a second step. The product of this second step is contacted with a modifying compound selected from the group consisting of silicon halides, boron halides, aluminum halides, alkyl silicon halides, hexaalkyl disilazanes and mixtures thereof in a third step. The product of this third step is contacted a vanadium compound having the structured formula V(O).sub.s X.sup.1.sub.4-s, where X.sup.1 is halogen; and s is 0 or 1, a first titanium-containing compound having the structural formula Ti(OR.sup.2).sub.n X.sup.2.sub.m, where R.sup.2 is hydrocarbyl; X.sup.

Abstract: Silica supports for use in the production of catalysts for olefin polymerization, in particular where the surface is substantially free from reactive hydroxyl groups, comprise (RCOO).sub.2 Mg deposited on the surface of the silica and/or groups of the general formula R(CO.sub.2 MgO).sub.n linked to surface silicon atoms, where R is a hydrocarbon radical and n=1 to 6. Such supports are suitable for the production of stereospecific catalysts of high activity in the polymerization of olefins especially propylene.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of biaryl compounds is disclosed which comprises contacting an aryl halide with a tertiary-alkyl organometallic reagent (or the precursor components thereof) in the presence of a catalyst comprising a nickel compound and a coordinating ligand under conditions suitable for the formation of biaryl compound.In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, nickel(O) compounds are prepared from nickel(II) compounds by contacting a nickel(II) compound with a combination of an organophosphine and a bidentate nitrogen-containing coordinating ligand, and a tertiary-alkyl organometallic reagent (or the precursor components thereof) in an aprotic, non-polar, ether-containing solvent system for a time and under conditions suitable for the formation of nickel(0) compound.

Abstract: A high activity alumoxane-metallocene supported catalyst for the polymerization of 1-olefins prepared by reacting undehydrated silica gel with a mixture of trimethylaluminum and triisobutylaluminum to produce a silica-alumoxane product which is then reacted with a Group IVB and/or Group VB metallocene to produce an active catalyst which may be obtained in powder form, suitable for use in gas or slurry phase reactors, by a removal of solvents and drying.

Abstract: A catalyst component (X") obtained by treating an olefin polymerization catalyst (X) formed from (A) a solid titanium catalyst component comprising magnesium, titanium, halogen and an electron donor as essential ingredients, (B) an organoaluminum compound catalyst component, and as required, (C) an electron donor with an alpha-olefin by preliminarily polymerizing the alpha-olefin in an amount of 0.1 to 500 g per gram of the solid titanium catalyst component (A) in the presence of said catalyst (X), and contacting the treated catalyst (X') with at least 0.1 mole, per gram-atom of titaninum in the treated catalyst (X"), of oxygen. A process for producing the olefin polymerization catalyst component. A catalyst (Y) for olefin polymerization formed from [I] the above catalyst component (X"), [II] an organoaluminum compound catalyst component and as required [III] an electron donor. Also provided is a process for polymerizing olefins in the presence of the olefin polymerization catalyst (Y).

Abstract: A process for producing a trivalent titanium compound-containing solid catalyst for use in the polymerization of olefins which comprises treating, with an ester compound, a solid product obtained by reducing a titanium compound represented by the following general formula: ##STR1## (R.sup.1 represents hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, X represents halogen atom, and n represents a number satisfying 0<n.ltoreq.4) with an organomagnesium compound in the presence of an organic silicon compound having Si--O bond, and thereafter treating it with a mixture of an ester compound and titanium tetrachloride.

Abstract: A catalyst for the copolymerization of ethylene by the gas-phase fluidized-bed method is prepared by a process in which a titanium-containing and magnesium-containing active component, reacted with an alcohol as a complexing agent, is applied to a finely divided silica from homogeneous solution, in the presence of a polysiloxane, by evaporating the solvent, and the resulting homogeneous catalyst intermediate is then preactivated by treatment with the alkylaluminum compound and the Lewis base in an inert hydrocarbon solution, and the copolymers prepared using the above catalyst are employed for the production of films exhibiting little blocking.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for improving the productivity of a polymerization catalyst formed from a magnesium ethoxide. The process comprises treating the magnesium ethoxide with a silane alkoxide at or above the temperature at which any alcohol which may be bound to the ethoxide dissociates from the alkoxide prior to subjecting the magnesium ethoxide to metathesis.

Abstract: A supported alpha-olefin polymerization catalyst composition is synthesized by reacting (1) a slurry of a solid catalyst carrier in a non-polar solvent, e.g., hexane, with a dialkyl organomagnesium composition; (2) contacting the slurry of step (1) with a chlorinated alcohol; (3) contacting the slurry of step (2) with at least one transition metal compound; (4) removing the non-polar solvent to obtain a dry-flowing powder; and, (5) activating the powder with an activator. The resulting catalyst composition has high polymerization activity in the polymerization of C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alpha-olefins and exhibits very good higher (C.sub.3 -C.sub.10) alpha-olefin incorporation properties in the copolymerization of ethylene with the higher alpha-olefins.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making crystalline magnesium halide particles usable for preparing catalyst and usable in the polymerization of alpha olefins having the formula MgnEmXp * y ROH wherein y is a value greater than 0 and up to 12, and which comprises the steps of:contacting the components of a magnesium compound of the formula MgnEmXp, wherein Mg is the magnesium component, n is a value from 0.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing a supported metallocene alumoxane catalyst for use in the polymerization of olefins. The invention particularly relates to the use of silica gel containing from about 6 to about 20 percent by weight adsorbed water as the catalyst support material. It has been found that such silica gel may be safely added to a solution, of trialkylaluminum to form by direct reaction with the adsorbed water content of the silica gel catalyst support material the majority of the alumoxane component requirement of the catalyst system. An alkylalumoxane coated silica gel is formed to which a trimethylaluminum treated metallocene may be added and the resulting material dried to free-flowing powder. The dry free flowing powder may then be used as a supported metallocene alumoxane catalyst complex for gas phase or liquid phase polymerization of olefins.

Abstract: A catalyst component for polymerization catalyst of .alpha.-olefines, the polymerization catalyst comprising an organoaluminum compound, an electron donor, as well as the solid catalyst component which is obtained when a compound containing magnesium reacts with a titanium halogen compound. A method for producing the catalyst component is also provided. The catalyst component is manufactured by reacting with a titanium halogen compound in the presence of an internal electron donor, a solid catalyst component which has been produced by the steps of(a) reacting a magnesium alkyl compound with a chlorinating compound,(b) dissolving the chlorinated magnesium alkyl compound in alcohol, after possible washing,(c) adding into the solution, magnesium silicate which has not been calcinated,(d) adding the mixture obtained in step (c) into a cold medium, to precipitate the magnesium compound into and onto the magnesium silicate carrier, and(e) separating the thus-obtained solid carrier component.

Abstract: Solid catalyst components for use in the polymerization of olefins and having improved activity and selectivity are prepared by:(a) halogenating a magnesium compound containing at least one aryloxy, alkyl carbonate or alkyloxy group with a first halide of tetravalent titanium and a first electron donor;(b.sub.1) contacting the resulting halogenated product with a second halide of tetravalent titanium; and(c) washing a resulting treated halogenated product with an inert hydrocarbon liquid, wherein a second electron donor is used in step (a) or step (b.sub.1) and in that the product of step (b.sub.1) is contacted in a step b.sub.2 with a third halide of tetravalent titanium at a temperature of 40.degree. to 140.degree. C. and thereafter the treated product is washed in step (c).

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing a supported metallocene alumoxane catalyst for use in the gas phase polymerization of olefins. The invention particularly relates to the use of silica gel containing from about 6 to about 10 percent by weight adsorbed water as the catalyst support material. It has been found that such silica gel may be safely added to an aluminum trialkyl solution to form by direct reaction with the adsorbed water content of the silica gel catalyst support material the alumoxane component of the catalyst system. An alumoxane coated silica gel is formed to which a metallocene may be added and the resulting material dried to free flowing powder. The dry free flowing powder may then be used as a supported metallocene alumoxane catalyst complex for gas phase polymerization of olefins.

Abstract: A transition metal composition is obtained by reacting the magnesium salt of a cycloalkyl carboxylic acid with a transition metal compound, and optionally a Lewis Base compound. The product may be used to produce an olefin polymerization catalyst by addition of for example an aluminium trialkyl and the resulting catalyst has a high activity and stereospecificity in an olefin polymerization process.

Abstract: A catalyst system useful for the polymerization of ethylene and other .alpha.-olefins comprising (a) a silica-supported chromium oxide catalyst and (b) a dihydrocarbylboron monohydrocarbyloxide adjuvant. The catalyst system results in .alpha.-olefin polymers having a broadened molecular weight distribution in the high molecular portion.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for improving the morphology of a polymerization catalyst formed from a magnesium alkoxide with bound alcohol. The process comprises treating the magnesium alkoxide with an unreactive solvent at or above the temperature at which the alcohol dissociates from the alkoxide prior to subjecting the magnesium alkoxide to metathesis.

Abstract: An olefin, particularly alpha-olefin, supported catalyst composition, containing a transition metal or a compound thereof and an activator, has an average pore diameter of about 20 to about 300 Angstroms, at a substantially constant catalyst particle size for a given range of average pore diameters. The catalyst produces polymers having gradually decreasing molecular weight distribution with decreasing pore size of the catalyst at a constant particle size.

Abstract: A catalyst composition for polymerizing alpha-olefins is prepared by reacting a transition metal compound, e.g., titanium, with trimethylaluminum catalyst activator. In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst is supported on a porous refractory support and is prepared by additionally reacting a magnesium compound or an organomagnesium composition with the support.Also disclosed is a process for polymerizing alpha-olefins in the presence of the catalyst of the invention. The polymer products have higher bulk density and produce films of greater strength than polymers prepared with similar catalysts utilizing different alkyl-aluminum activators, e.g., triethylaluminum and triisobutylaluminum.