Patent ID: 7666960

Claim:
In a process for the copolymerization of ethylene with a C 3-8 α-olefin comonomer utilizing a transition metal-containing catalyst and organoaluminum cocatalyst, to modify short-chain branching characteristics, the improvement comprising conducting the copolymerization in an inert hydrocarbon medium in the presence of a mixed modifier comprised of a conjugated diene containing 4 to 12 carbon atoms and an alkoxysilane of the formula R′ 4-y Si(OR) y where y is 2 or 3, R is an alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and R′ is a C 1-10 alkyl or C 6-10 aryl group; said conjugated diene present in an amount from about 100 to 5000 ppm based on the weight of the hydrocarbon and said alkoxysilane present in an amount from about 1 to 50 ppm based on the weight of the hydrocarbon.