Methods of preparing a catalyst utilizing hydrated reagents

A pre-catalyst composition comprising:

• a) a chrominated-silica support comprising silica wherein an amount of silica is in a range of from about 70 wt. % to about 95 wt. % based upon a total weight of the silica support and chromium in an amount of from about 0.1 wt. % to about 5 wt. % based upon the amount of silica;
• b) a titanium-containing compound wherein an amount of titanium is in a range of from about 0.1 wt. % to about 20 wt. % based upon the amount of silica;
• c) at least two carboxylic acids wherein an equivalent molar ratio of titanium-containing compound to carboxylic acids is in a range of from about 1:1 to about 1:4;
• d) a nitrogen-containing compound with a molecular formula containing at least one nitrogen atom wherein an equivalent molar ratio of titanium-containing compound to nitrogen-containing compound is in a range of from about 1:0.5 to about 1:10;
• and
• f) a peroxide-containing compound wherein an equivalent molar ratio of titanium-containing compound to peroxide-containing compound is in a range of from about 1:1 to about 1:20.

A pre-catalyst composition comprising:

• a) a silica support comprising silica wherein an amount of silica is in a range of from about 70 wt. % to about 95 wt. % based upon a total weight of the silica support;
• b) a chromium-containing compound wherein an amount of chromium is in a range of from about 0.1 wt. % to about 5 wt. % based upon the amount of silica;
• c) a titanium-containing compound wherein an amount of titanium is in a range of from about 0.1 wt. % to about 20 wt. % based upon the amount of silica;
• d) a carboxylic acid wherein an equivalent molar ratio of titanium-containing compound to carboxylic acid is in a range of from about 1:1 to about 1:4;
• e) a peroxide-containing compound wherein an equivalent molar ratio of titanium-containing compound to peroxide-containing compound is in a range of from about 1:1 to about 1:20;
• and
• f) an acidic phenol wherein an equivalent molar ratio of titanium-containing compound to acidic phenol is in a range of from about 1:1 to about 1:5.

A pre-catalyst composition comprising:

• a) a silica support comprising silica wherein an amount of silica is in a range of from about 70 wt. % to about 95 wt. % based upon a total weight of the silica support;
• b) a chromium-containing compound wherein an amount of chromium is in a range of from about 0.1 wt. % to about 5 wt. % based upon the amount of silica;
• c) a titanium-containing compound wherein an amount of titanium is in a range of from about 0.1 wt. % to about 20 wt. % based upon the amount of silica;
• d) one or more carboxylic acids wherein an equivalent molar ratio of titanium-containing compound to carboxylic acids is in a range of from about 1:1 to about 1:4;
• e) one or more nitrogen-containing compounds wherein an equivalent molar ratio of titanium-containing compound to nitrogen-containing compounds is in a range of from about 1:0.5 to about 1:10;
• f) one or more peroxide-containing compounds wherein an equivalent molar ratio of titanium-containing compound to peroxide-containing compounds is in a range of from about 1:0.5 to about 1:50;
• and
• g) one or more acidic phenols wherein an equivalent molar ratio of titanium-containing compound to acidic phenols is in a range of from about 1:1 to about 1:5.

A pre-catalyst composition prepared by a method comprising:

• a) preparing an acidic mixture comprising a solvent and at least two components selected from the group consisting of one or more carboxylic acids, one or more acidic phenols, one or more peroxide-containing compounds and one or more nitrogen-containing compounds;
• b) contacting the acidic mixture with a chromium-containing compound, a titanium-containing compound and a silica support to form an addition product wherein:
• (i) an equivalent molar ratio of titanium-containing compound to the one or more carboxylic acids, when present in the acidic mixture, is from about 1:1 to about 1:4,
• (ii) an equivalent molar ratio of titanium-containing compound to the one or more acidic phenols, when present in the acidic mixture, is from about 1:1 to about 1:5,
• (iii) an equivalent molar ratio of titanium-containing compound to one or more peroxide-containing compounds, when present in the acidic mixture, is from about 1:1 to about 1:20;
• and
• (iv) an equivalent molar ratio of titanium-containing compound to the one or more nitrogen-containing compounds, when present in the acidic mixture, is in a range of from about 1:0.5 to about 1:10;
• and
• c) drying the addition product by heating to a temperature in a range of from about 50° C. to about 150° C. and maintaining the temperature in the range of from about 50° C. to about 150° C. for a time period of from about 30 minutes to about 6 hours to form a pre-catalyst.