Method for preparing a silica gel supported metallocene-alumoxane catalyst

摘要

This invention relates to a process for preparing a supported metallocene alumoxane catalyst for use in the slurry or liquid phase polymerization of olefins. The invention particularly relates to the use of silica gel containing from about 10 to about 50 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. The resulting material can either be used in this slurry state for slurry polymerization or can be used for liquid phase polymerization of olefins.