Catalyst composition comprising ruthenium and a treated silica support component and processes therefor and therewith for preparing high molecular weight hydrocarbons such as polymethylene

1. A composition comprising ruthenium and a treated silica support component wherein said treated silica support component is prepared by a process comprising contacting a silica support component and a treating agent and further wherein said contacting is selected from the group consisting of impregnation, mixing, and combinations thereof; wherein said catalyst composition comprises a weight ratio of total silicon dioxide to ruthenium in the range of from about 0.01:1 to about 20:1; wherein said treating agent comprises an organosilicon compound having the following formulas:

SiR y X 4−y,

(R w X 3−w Si) 2 .Z,

[SiR m OX 2−m ] n ,

[SiR m X 2−m ] n , and combinations of any two or more thereof,

wherein:

y=1 to 4;

w=1 to 3;

m=1 to 2;

n>2, preferably >5, and more preferably in the range of from 10 to 5,000,000;

R=alkyl, aryl, H, alkoxy, aryloxy, arylalkyl, alkylaryl; when y≧2 or w≧2 or m=2,

R can be same or different and is independently selected from the groups listed;

X=halide; and

Z=oxygen or imino or alkylimino or alkanoylimino.

2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said silica support component is selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide, silica, colloidal silica, silica gel, silicon, silicon carbide, silicon monoxide, silicon nitride, silicon tetraboride, silicon tetrabromide, silicon tetrachloride, and combinations thereof.

3. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said treating agent is selected from the group consisting of tetraalkyl orthosilicates, poly(alkylaryl)siloxanes, and combinations thereof.

4. A composition according to claim 3 wherein said treating agent is selected from the group consisting of tetraethyl orthosilicate, poly(methylphenyl)siloxane, and combinations thereof.