Switching from ethylene polymerization to nonselective oligomerization over a homogeneous model catalyst: A triphenylsiloxy complex of chromium(VI)

► Bis(triphenylsilyl)chromate as a homogeneous model for UCC S-2 catalyst. ► Switching from ethylene polymerization to nonselective oligomerization with MAO. ► Even-numbered linear α-olefins and polyethylene with uni-/bimodal MWD as products. ► Activation reaction studied by NMR, ESR, radical trapping on C60, and MALDI-TOF. ► Alkyl radical and inactive [Cr(η6-arene)2]+ cation were identified during activation.