| abstract |
This invention relates to a supported catalyst composition useful in the polymerization of olefins and to a method for its production. The invention particularly relates to the use of undehydrated silica gel containing from about 6 to about 20 percent by weight adsorbed water as the catalyst support material. The catalyst is formed by first reacting a trialkylaluminum compound with a metallocene, and subsequently reacting the resulting material with the undehydrated silica gel. The resulting supported metallocene-alumoxane catalyst has a level of activity comparable to that of conventionally made supported catalysts which are achieved at active metal loadings which are reduced from the loadings used in the previously known metallocene-alumoxane catalysts by at least 20%, and preferably 50%. |