Patent ID: 6034024
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: C08F,Y10S

Abstract:
A process of preparing a supported olefin polymerization catalyst, said process comprising:a) heating a methylalumoxane solution in which the solvent is an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent at a temperature of at least 35.degree. C. for at least 0.5 hour in an inert, dry atmosphere; andb) combining heat-treated methylalumoxane from a), a catalyst support, and a metallocene olefin polymerization catalyst to form a supported olefin polymerization catalyst, the methylalumoxane and the catalyst support being combined at a temperature of from 25 to 250.degree. C. and a pressure of from 5 to 500 psig;with the proviso that the time and the temperature used in the heating in a) are such that the supported olefin polymerization catalyst formed in b) has composition provides, when used in forming a supported metallocene catalyst, a supported increased activity as compared to a supported metallocene catalyst produced in the same way from the same amounts of the same components except that heating pursuant to a) is not used, the methylalumoxane of said solution having been produced before said heating in a) by partial hydrolysis of trimethylaluminum in a mixture consisting of (i) trimethylaluminum in an organic solvent and (ii) free water.