The present invention relates to a process for the
polymerization and copolymerization of 1-olefins and to a catalyst to be used in said process wherein the catalyst comprises (1) a complex having formula (I) wherein M is Fe[II], Fe[III], Co[I], Co[II], Co[III], Mn[I], Mn[II], Mn[III], Mn[IV], Ru[II], Ru[III] or Ru[IV]; X represents an atom or group covalently or ionically bonded to the
metal M; T is the
oxidation state of the
metal; b is the valency of the atom or group X; and R 1 to R 7 are each independently selected from
hydrogen,
halogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl, substituted heterohydrocarbyl or SiR' 3 where each R' is independently selected from
hydrogen,
halogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl, substituted heterohydrocarbyl; and when any two or more of R 1 to R 7 are hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl or substituted heterohydrocarbyl, said two or more can be linked to form one or more cyclic substituents; (2) an activator which is an alkylalumoxane; and (3) a support material, wherein the
atomic ratio of
aluminium in the alkylalumoxane (2) to
transition metal M in (1) is from 6:1 to 25:1.