Preparation of branched polyethene using a soluble zirconocene catalyst

[Me2C(Cp) (Ind)]ZrCl2 metallocene catalyst has been prepared and employed i n a study of ethene polymerization in the presence of the cocatalyst methyl aluminoxane. C-1 and C-2 signals are detected in the C-13 NMR spectra of th e resultant polymers; this reveals that the resultant polymer is a branched polyethene (polyethylene). The influence of polymerization temperature, ca talyst concentration and [Al]/[Zr] ratio on catalytic activities and polyme rization kinetics is investigated. A plausible mechanism for forming branch ed polyethene is suggested. (C) 2000 Society of Chemical Industry.