Extremely substitution. labile chromium(III) alkyls of the type 2))(n)
CH(2)SiMe(3)](+)[B(3,5-(CF3)(2)-C6H3)(4)](-) (R=Me, Et, Pr-i; n=1, 2)
have been prepared; they are homogeneous catalysts for the polymerizat
ion of ethylene and, for the first time, alpha-olefins (propene, 1-hex
ene).