Method for producing highly productive supported ionic catalyst for gas phase polymerization

Abstract

A process for the production of an ionic transition metal catalyst in supported form than is highly productive under gas phase olefin polymerization conditions. In the process a an aluminum alkyl is added to a suitable solvent after which a neutral metallocene compound is added to the solution under stirring in a quantity that provides for a ratio of Al to transition metal of at least 25:1. To this metallocene-aluminum alkyl solution is next added an ionic compound the anionic portion of which is a non-coordinating anion under stirring until all materials are dissolve. The ionic compound is added in a quantity that provides for a ratio of NCA to transition metal of at least 1:1. Next the support particles are added to the solution and thereafter the solution is heated to at least 40° C. and held at this elevated temperature for at least 0.5 hour. Thereafter the solvent is removed and the supported catalyst is dried under vacuum.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.