Olefin polymerization process for preparing high density or linear low density polymers of controlled molecular weight distribution

Claim 1

A process for polymerizing at least one olefin comprising conducting the polymerization in the presence of a catalyst composition prepared by a method comprising the steps of: (I) preparing a catalyst precursor by a method comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a solid, porous carrier with an aluminum compound of the formula R.sub.k AlZ.sub.(3-k) (I) where R is a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group, Z is a halogen and k is 1, 2 or 3; (b) contacting the product of step (a) with a mixture containing a vanadium compound of the formula VO.sub.m X.sub.(n-2m) (II) where X is a halogen, m is 0 or 1 and n is 2, 3, 4 or 5, and a titanium compound of the formula TiX.sub.4 ' (III) where X' is a halogen; (c) contacting the product of step (b) with an ether selected from the group consisting of an alkyl ether having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkyl/aryl ether having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, or a silane ether of the formula R"Si(OR'").sub.m R.sub.(3-m).sup.IV (IV) where R", R'" and R IV are the same or different alkyl or aryl groups and m is 1, 2 or 3; (d) pre-activating the product of step (c) with a mixture of a halogenating agent and an aluminum compound of the formula R.sub.n 'AlX.sub.(3-n) " (V) where R' is a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group, X" is a halogen and n is 1, 2 or 3; and (II) activating the precursor by combining it with an olefin polymerization catalyst activator.