Ethylene polymerization with iron‐based diimine catalyst supported on MCM‐41

A mesoporous molecular sieve MCM‐41 supported iron‐based diimine catalyst ( MC ) was prepared for the first time. The kinetic behavior of ethylene polymerization with MC was studied. The effects of Al/Fe molar ratio and various cocatalysts on the catalytic activity and properties of the polyethylene obtained were investigated. The results showed that good catalytic activities can be reached with cocatalyst methylaluminoxane (MAO) and triethylaluminium (TEA). Ethylene polymerization with MC gave polymers with higher molecular weight, melting temperature and onset temperatures of decomposition (T_onset) and better morphology than those obtained with the corresponding homogeneous catalyst. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry