Patent ID: 7300901

Claim:
A method for preparing a supported catalyst component for the production of hollow beads of polyethylene comprising: (a) providing a first component characterized by the formula: wherein R is an alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; (b) providing a porous functionalized bead of polystyrene characterized by the formula: wherein A is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having from 2 to 18 carbon atoms providing a flexible arm; (c) creating a covalent bond between the component of subparagraph (a) and the porous functionalized bead of subparagraph (b) to produce a complex characterized by the formula: providing a first alkyl- or aryl-amine characterized by the formula: R′—NH 2 (d) wherein: R′ is an alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a substituted aryl group, or a substituted aryl group having substituents having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; providing a second alkyl- or aryl-imine characterized by the formula: R″—NH 2 (e) wherein: R″ is an alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a substituted aryl group, or a substituted aryl group having substituents having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; provided that R″ may be the same or different as R′; (f) reacting the complex of subparagraph (c) with said first and second alkyl- or aryl-amines of subparagraphs (d) and (e) to produce a bis-imine complex characterized by the formula: wherein R, R′ and R″ are as defined above and R′ and R″ may be the same or different; and (g) reacting the bis-imine of subparagraph (f) with ferric chloride in a solvent to produce a catalyst component characterized by formula: wherein R, R′ and R″ are as defined above.