An iron-based catalyst of 2,6-bis-{1-(2-methylphenylimino)ethyl}pyridine iron dichloride was prepared. The ligand was prepared using 2,6-diacetylpyridine as the starting chemical under controlled conditions. The preparation procedure was followed using C-13-NMR, H-1-NMR, FT-IR, MS (mass spectroscopy), and elemental analysis methods. The homogeneous polymerization of ethylene was carried out using the prepared catalyst in toluene media. Methyl aluminoxane (MAO) was used as a cocatalyst. The effect of the [Al] : [Fe] molar ratio, polymerization temperature, and monomer pressure of 202,000 to 454,500 Pa on the polymerization behavior were studied. The highest activity of the catalyst was obtained at 30 C, the activity decreased with increasing temperature, while increasing pressure linearly increased its activity. The molecular weight distribution of the polyethylene obtained was 1.25 to 1.72. A weight average molecular weight of 7.1 x 10(4) and 1.5 x 10(3) were obtained. The crystallinity of the polymer was about 19% and its melting point was about 65 degrees C. 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.