TETRAMERISATION OF ETHYLENE

A process for the tetramerisation of ethylene under solution phase conditions is carried out in the presence of an activated catalyst at a temperature above 80° C and up to a temperature of about 115°C. The activated catalyst is provided by combining a source of chromium a diphosphine ligating compound and optionally a catalyst activator or combination of catalyst activators. The process forms at least 30% 1 octene and a polyethylene co product that together with any other reaction products remains substantially dissolved in the liquid phase. The polyethylene co product has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of less than 200 000 g/mol a number average molecular weight (Mn) of less than 3 000 g/mol and a melt flow index of more than 20 g/10 minutes.