Process for the preparation of an olefin polymerization catalyst

Abstract

An improved process for the preparation of a catalyst for the polymerization of ethylene, and an improved process for preparing an ethylene polymer therewith. An improved supported chromium-containing catalyst is prepared by reacting (1) a chromium chelate of a 1,3-diketo compound and (2) a vanadium chelate or a vanadyl chelate of a 1,3-diketo compound, separately or jointly with (3) an organometallic compound of an element from Group II or III of the periodic system, jointly contacting the resulting reaction products of (1) and (2) with (3) with an inert inorganic supporting material so as to deposit such reaction products thereon, whereafter the supporting material containing the reaction products is heated in a non-reducing atmosphere at a temperature of between 200.degree. and 1200.degree. C. The 1,3-diketo compounds of (1) and (2) are the same or different, and have the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different, R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 being an alkyl group of 1-10 carbon atoms, and R.sub.2 being selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group with 1-10 carbon atoms, and a hydrogen atom. The catalyst so prepared can be used either alone, or together with an organo-metallic compound of an element of Group II or III of the periodic system, in the polymerization of polyethylene or in the copolymerization of polyethylene with up to 15 mole percent of one or more .alpha.-alkenes having 3 to 15 carbon atoms.