New synthetic route to methylaluminoxane for ethylene polymerisation in the presence of zirconocene

A facile synthetic route to MAO based on the reaction between benzoic acid and TMA in presence of catalytic amount of commercial MAO is described. The formation of MAO involves the alkylation of benzoic acid along with the formation of -O-Al- bonds. Study of ethylene polymerisation with racEt(Ind)(2)ZrCl2 shows that this aluminoxane is as efficient as commercial MAO in activating the catalyst. To cite this article: H. Cramail et al., C R. Chimie 5 (2002) 49-52 (C) 2002 Academic des sciences / Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.