abstract |
A process is disclosed for forming an aluminoxane composition comprising methylaluminoxane by mixing trimethylaluminum, or a mixture of trimethylaluminum and one or more other trihydrocarbylaluminum compounds, with an organoaluminum compound containing a trialkylsiloxide moiety and then oxygenating the mixture to form the aluminoxane. Oxygenation can be carried out by controlled hydrolysis or by treatment with an organic compound containing carbon-oxygen bonds, such as carbon dioxide. A preferred trialkylsiloxide moiety is of the formula -OSi(CH3)3, such as in a compound of the formula (CH3)2AlOSi(CH3)3. |