ALUMINUM PHOSPHATE-SUPPORTED GROUP 6 METAL AMIDE CATALYSTS FOR OLIGOMERIZATION OF ETHYLENE

1 . A catalyst composition for the preparation of oligomeric derivatives of olefin monomers, comprising a Group 6 metal amide complex or compound, a Group 1, 2, 12, 13 or 14 metal hydrocarbyl composition or compound, and a solid support comprising aluminum phosphate.

2 . The catalyst composition of claim 1 wherein the Group 6 metal amide complex corresponds to the following formula: M(NR 1 2 ) r X v-r

wherein M is a Group 6 metal;

R 1 independently in each occurrence is a secondary or tertiary alkyl group of from 3 to 20 carbons, a cycloalkyl group of from 5 to 20 carbons, an aryl or alkylaryl group of from 6 to 20 carbons, or a tri(C 1-20 )hydrocarbylsilyl group, and optionally two R 1 groups on the same or adjacent amide groups may be joined together thereby forming a heterocycloaliphatic ring, or an alkyl-, aryl-, cycloalkyl-, or trihydrocarbylsilyl-substituted derivative thereof;

X is an anionic ligand of up to 20 atoms not counting hydrogen, and optionally one or more X groups and/or one or more NR 1 2 groups may be joined together to form an aliphatic or aromatic ring,

r is a number greater than 0 and less than or equal to v, and

v is the valence of M.

3 . The catalyst composition of claim 1 wherein the metal hydrocarbyl composition or compound is trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, or tri-isobutylaluminum.

4 . The catalyst composition of claim 2 wherein the metal hydrocarbyl composition or compound is trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, or tri-isobutylaluminum.

5 . The catalyst composition of claim 1 wherein the aluminum phosphate is substantially amorphous and corresponds to the formula: Al x P y O 4 where x+y=2 and x is >0.2.

6 . The catalyst composition of claim 5 wherein the aluminum phosphate has a P/Al molar ratio from 0.92 to 1.0.