Transition metal phthalocyanine and porphyrin complexes as catalysts for the polymerization of alkenes

Vanadium phthalocyanine and porphyrin complexes, in conjunction with methylaluminoxane (MAO) or EtAl[Cl.sub.2] cocatalyst, have been found to catalyze the homopolymerization of ethene. In addition, the copolymerization of ethene with propene and 1-decene was achieved with the vanadium phthalocyanine complex and MAO. Nickel phthalocyanine complex was also found to catalyze the polymerization of ethene in the presence of MAO. However, only dimerization was observed when EtAlpCl.sub.2] was used as the cocatalyst. Key words: phthalocyanine, porphyrin, polymerization, copolymerization, ethene, propene, 1-decene.