Supported catalysts for ethylene polymerization: studies with the magnesium diethoxide‐tin tetrachloride‐titanium tetrachloride/tetraisobutylalumoxane catalyst system

Abstract Supported titanium catalysts are prepared by the reaction of magnesium diethoxide with tin tetrachloride followed by treatment with titanium tetrachloride. The catalysts are characterized by compositional analysis and measurements of the specific surface area. The performance of the catalysts is evaluated for the polymerization of ethylene using tetraisobutylalumoxane as cocatalyst. The rate of polymerization decreases with increasing reaction time indicating a decay‐type kinetic profile. Catalyst composition and concentration of cocatalyst govern the performance of the system.