Synthesis of low molecular weight polyethylene waxes by a titanium BINOLate-ethylaluminum sesquichloride catalyst system

Homogeneous titanium (IV) complexes of chiral ligand Binol which can be synthesized conveniently from readily available starting materials in combination with alkyl aluminum sesquichloride (Et3Al2Cl3) as co-catalyst selectively polymerize ethylene at elevated temperatures to highly crystalline low molecular weight polyethylene waxes with narrow polydispersity. These specialty waxes have potential applications in surface coating and ink formulations.