Synthesis of inorganic MgCl2-alcohol adduct via recrystallization method and its application in supported organometallic catalysts for the polymerization of ethylene with 1-hexene

MgCl2-alcohol adduct for use as a catalyst support was prepared by the recrystallization method using alcohol as the dissolution material. The alcohol contents in the support are an important factor in catalysts impregnation. The prepared support was modified by treatment with alkylaluminum compounds. In terms of the treatment of the prepared support, triisobutylaluminum was an excellent pretreatment material. The polymerization of ethylene with 1-hexene was performed over homogeneous and heterogeneous metallocene catalysts. The molecular weight (Mw) and molecular weight distribution (MWD) of copolymers produced by the heterogeneous catalyst were higher and broader than those by homogeneous catalyst. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.