Synthesis,crystal structure and catalytic performance of bis (imino)pyridyl nickel complexes

Two new Ni(II) complexes of 2,6-bis1-(2,6-diethylphenylimino)ethyl]pyridine (L¹), 2,6-bis1-(4-methylphenylimino)ethyl]pyridine (L² ) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Complex Ni(L¹)Cl₂?·?CH₃CN (1), exhibits a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry, whereas complex Ni(L¹)(CH₃CN)Cl₂ (2), is six-coordinate with a geometry that can best be described as distorted octahedral. The catalytic activities of complexes 1, 2, Ni{2,6-bis1-(2,6-diisopropyl-phenylimino)ethyl]pyridine} Cl₂?·?CH₃CN (3), and Ni{2,6-bis1-(2,6-dimethylphenylimino) ethyl]pyridine}Cl₂?·?CH₃CN (4), for ethylene polymerization were studied under activation with MAO.