Preparation of spherical MgCl2 supported bis(imino)pyridyl iron(II) precatalyst for ethylene polymerization

Novel spherical MgCl2-supported iron-based catalyst systems for ethylene polymerization are developed, without the use of MAO or borate activators, starting from an adduct of magnesium chloride and ethanol. The activity and the resultant polymer properties are strongly dependent on the method of supported catalyst preparation. Polyethylene having spherical particle morphology is obtained with high catalyst activity.