Ruthenium complexes with ferrocene-based P,C,P pincer ligand

First ruthenium complexes with a ferrocene-based pincer ligand were synthesized. The cyclometallation of 1,3-bis[(di-tert-butylphosphino)methyl]ferrocene with RuCl₂(DMSO)₄ in 2-methoxyethanol afforded the RuCl(CO)[{2,5-(Bu^t ₂PCH₂)₂C₅H₂}Fe(C₅H₅)](RuCl(CO) ) complex (5). Complex 5 reversibly binds CO to form the RuCl(CO)₂ complex (6). The analogous reaction in the presence of NaBAr′₄ (Ar′ = 3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃) produced the cationic complex {Ru(CO)₂ }BAr′₄ (7). The structures of complexes 5 and 7 were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The X-ray diffraction study revealed an agostic interaction between one of the C-H bonds of the axial (exo-oriented with respect to the ferrocene iron atom) tert-butyl group and the Ru atom in complexes 5 and 7. Dedicated to Academician G. A. Abakumov on the occasion of his 70th birthday. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1695–1701, September, 2007.     

New unsymmetrical μ-phenoxo bridged binuclear copper(II) complexes

A series of binuclear Cu^II complexes [Cu₂XL] ⁿ⁺ having two copper(II) ions bridged by different motifs (X = OH^–, MeCO₂ ^–, or Cl^–) have been prepared using the ligands: H₂L¹ = 4-methyl-2-[N-(2-{dimethylamino}ethyl-N-methyl)aminomethyl]-6-[(prolin-1-yl)methyl]phenol, H₂L² = 4-nitro-2-[N-(2-{dimethylamino}ethyl-N-methyl)aminomethyl]-6-[(prolin-1-yl)methyl]phenol, H₂L³ = 4-methyl-2-[N-(2-{diethylamino}ethyl-N-ethyl)aminomethyl]-6-[(prolin-1-yl)methyl]phenol and H₂L⁴ = 4-nitro-2-[N-(2-{diethylamino}ethyl-N-ethyl)aminomethyl]-6-[(prolin-1-yl)methyl]phenol. The complexes have been characterized by spectroscopic, analytical, magnetic and electrochemical measurements. Cryomagnetic investigations (80–300 K) revealed anti-ferromagnetic exchange between the Cu^II ions (–2J in the range –50 to –182 cm^–1). The strength of anti-ferromagnetic coupling lies in the order: OAc > OH > Cl. Cyclic voltammetry revealed the presence of two redox couples, assigned to Cu^II/Cu^II/Cu^II/Cu^I/Cu^I/Cu^I. The first reduction potential is sensitive to electronic effects from the aromatic ring substituents and steric effect on the donor nitrogens (side arm) of the ligand systems.     

Preparation and Structures of Several Complexes Containing Carbon-Rich Ligands Attached to Polynuclear Metal Carbonyls

Several new gold-containing cluster complexes have been prepared from the reactions of gold alkynyl complexes, L _n M-C _x -Au(PPh₃), (x = 3, 4, 6) with Ru₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂. The bis-cluster complex 1,4-{AuRu₃(CO)₉(PPh₃)(μ₃-C₂)}₂C₆H₄ was obtained from Ru₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ and 1,4-{(Ph₃P)Au(C≡C)}₂C₆H₄. The complexes Ru₃(μ-H){μ₃-C₂C≡C[Ru(PP)Cp′]}(CO)₉ [PP = (PPh₃)₂, Cp′ = Cp; PP = dppe, Cp′ = Cp*] were also obtained as minor by-products and synthesised independently from Ru(C≡CC≡CH)(PP)Cp′. A reaction between Co₃{μ₃-CC≡CC≡CAu(PPh₃)}(μ-dppm)(CO)₇ and Ru₃(CO)₁₂ afforded {(Ph₃P)(OC)₉AuRu₃}C≡CC≡CC{Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} 7. Related complexes AuRu₃{μ₃-C₂C≡[M(CO)₂Tp]}(CO)₉(PPh₃) (M = Mo 8, W 9) were obtained from {Tp(OC)₂M}≡CC≡C{Au(PPh₃)}, while the mixed metal cluster complexes MoM₂(C₂Me)(CO)₈Tp (M = Ru 13, Fe 14) were obtained from M(≡CC≡CSiMe₃)(CO)₂Tp (M = Mo, W) with Fe₂(CO)₉ and Ru₃(CO)₁₂, respectively. Reactions of the Mo carbyne complex with Co₂(LL)(CO)₆ [LL = (CO)₂, μ-dppm] or nickelocene afforded complexes 15–17 in which Co₂ and Ni₂ fragments, respectively, had coordinated to the C≡C triple bond. XRD structural determinations of 7, 8, 14, 16 and {Tp(OC)₂W}≡CC≡CC≡{Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} (18-W) are reported. In memoriam: F. Albert Cotton (1930–2007).     

A kinetic investigation into the rate of chloride substitution from chloro terpyridine platinum(II) and analogous complexes by a series of azole nucleophiles

The substitution kinetics of the complexes [Pt(terpy)Cl]Cl·2H₂O (PtL1), [Pt(^tBu₃terpy)Cl]ClO₄ (PtL2), [Pt{4′-(2′′′-CH₃-Ph)terpy}Cl]BF₄ (PtL3), [Pt{4′-(2′′′-CF₃-Ph)terpy}Cl]CF₃SO₃ (PtL4), [Pt{4′-(2′′′-CF₃-Ph)-6-Ph-bipy}Cl] (PtL5) and [Pt{4′-(2′′′-CH₃-Ph)-6-2′′-pyrazinyl-2,2′-bipy}Cl]CF₃SO₃ (PtL6) with the nucleophiles imidazole (Im), 1-methylimidazole (MIm), 1,2-dimethylimidazole (DIm), pyrazole (Pyz) and 1,2,4-triazole (Trz) were investigated in a methanolic solution of constant ionic strength. Substitution of the chloride ligand from the metal complexes by the nucleophiles was investigated as a function of nucleophile concentration and temperature under pseudo first-order conditions using UV/Visible and stopped-flow spectrophotometric techniques. The reactions follow the rate law k_\textobs = k₂ [ \textNu ] + k _{- 2} k_{\text{obs}} = k_{2} \left[ {\text{Nu}} \right] + k_{ - 2} . The results indicate that changing the nature or distance of influence of the substituents on the terpy moiety affects the π-back-donation ability of the chelate. This in turn controls the electrophilicity of the metal centre and hence its reactivity. Electron-donating groups decrease the reactivity of the metal centre, while electron-withdrawing groups increase the reactivity. Placing a strong σ-donor cis to the leaving group greatly decreases the reactivity of the complex, while the addition of a good π-acceptor group significantly enhances the reactivity. The results indicate that the metal is activated differently by changing the surrounding atoms even though they are part of a conjugated system. It is also evident that substituents in the cis position activate the metal centre differently to those in the trans position. The kinetic results are supported by DFT calculations, which show that the metal centre is less electrophilic when a strong σ-donor is cis to the leaving group and more electrophilic when a good π-acceptor group is part of the ring moiety. The temperature dependence studies support an associative mode of activation. An X-ray crystal structure of Pyz bound to PtL3 was obtained and confirmed the results of the DFT calculations as to the preferred N-atom as a binding site.     

Fluxional rearrangement in congested ruthenium(II) complexes containing pyrimidine- and/or pyridine-based dithioether ligands

The solvento species obtained by the treatment of cis-RuCl₂(N,N-L)₂ [L = di-2-pyridyl sulfide (dps), di-2-pyrimidyl sulfide (dprs)] with AgPF₆, reacted with dithioethers L′ [L′ = 2,6-bis(2-pyridylthiomethyl)pyridine (pytmp), 2,6-bis(2-pyrimidylthiomethyl)pyridine (prtmp) and 2,6-bis{2-(4-methyl)pyrimidylthiomethyl} pyridine (mprtmp)] to afford the compounds [Ru(N,N-L)₂(N,S-L′)][PF₆]₂. The ¹H NMR spectra indicate that L′ is chelated through S and N atoms with the formation of a four-membered ring. As a consequence, the ruthenium and sulfur atoms are stereogenic centers with ∆ and Λ and (R) and (S) configurations, respectively. NMR spectra, at low temperatures, show that two invertomers, of similar abundance, as enantiomeric couples ∆S, ΛR and ∆R, ΛS are present. In the methylene region, four AB systems are observed that in both the species contain two non-equivalent methylene groups. Variable-temperature NMR spectra and EXSY experiments show that the sulfur inversion produces an exchange between the invertomers. The one-dimensional band-shape analysis of the exchanging methylene signals showed that the energy barriers for the process are in the 43–52 kJ mol⁻¹ range. The possible mechanisms of the sulfur inversion are discussed.     

Synthesis,crystal structures,and catalytic property of dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes with hydrazones

Two new dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes, [MoO₂(L₁)] _n · 0.5 _n CH₃OH (I) and [MoO₂(L₂)(CH₃OH)] (II), where L1 and L₂ are the dianionic form of N′-[1-(4-diethylamino-2-hydroxyphenyl)methylidene]isonicotinohydrazide and N′-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzylidene)-3-methylbenzohydrazide, respectively, were prepared and structurally characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods and single-crystal X-ray determination. For complex I, a polymeric structure is obtained, which is linked by coordination of the pyridine N atoms to the Mo atoms of other [MoO₂(L₁)] units. Complex II is a mononuclear molybdenum compound. In both complexes, the Mo atoms are in octahedral coordination. The catalytic properties of the complexes indicate that they are efficient catalysts for sulfoxidation.     

Studies on mono- and dinuclear bisoxime copper complexes with different coordination geometries

Two new mono- and dinuclear Cu(II) complexes, namely [CuL¹]·0.5H₂O (1) and [(Cu₂(L²)₂)(DMF)]·0.5DMF (2) (H₂L¹ = 1,2-bis{[(Z)-(3-methyl-5-oxo-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazolidin-4(4H)-yl)(phenyl)]methylene-aminooxy}ethane; H₂L² = 1,3-bis{[(Z)-(3-methyl-5-oxo-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazolidin-4(4H)-yl)(phenyl)] methyleneaminooxy}propane), have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The unit cell of complex 1 contains two crystallographically independent but chemically identical [CuL¹] molecules and one crystalline water molecule, showing a slightly distorted square-planar coordination geometry and forming a wave-like pattern running along the a-axis via hydrogen bonding and π···π stacking interactions. Complex 2 has a dinuclear structure, comprising two Cu(II) atoms, two completely deprotonated phenolate bisoxime (L²)²⁻ moieties (in the form of enol), and both coordinated and hemi-crystalline DMF molecules. Complex 2 has square-planar and square-pyramidal geometries around the two copper centers, whose basic coordination planes are almost perpendicular and form an infinite three-dimensional supramolecular network structure involving intermolecular C–H···N, C–H···O, and C–H···π(Ph) hydrogen bonding and π···π stacking interactions of neighboring pyrazole rings.     

Two new oxamido-bridged trinuclear complexes [Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>M] (M = Mn(II), Co(II)): synthesis,structures, and magnetic properties

By using the macrocyclic oxamido-copper complex CuL (H₂L = 2,3-dioxo-5,6:13,14-dibenzo-9,10-(O)cyclohexyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclo-tetradeca-7,12-diene) as precursor, two new trinuclear complexes with the formulas [(CuL)₂Mn(ClO₄)₂] (1) and [(CuL)₂Co(ClO₄)₂] (2) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. H-bonds are found between the molecules, which link adjacent trinuclear units together to form a unique one-dimensional structure. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility for the complexes was analyzed by means of the Hamiltonian leading to J = −14.66 cm⁻¹ and J = −22.9 cm⁻¹ for 1 and 2, respectively. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Synthesis and cytotoxic activities of transition-metal complexes of a binaphthyl-linked bipyridine ligand

A binaphthyl-linked bipyridyl compound, 1,1′-bis(6-methyl-6′-oxymethylenyl-2,2′-bipyridine)binaphthyl, (L) has been synthesised and used as a ligand for the formation of Cu(II), Ni(II), and Co(II) complexes. The ligand and its transition-metal complexes were characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. The complexes were also investigated for cytotoxic activity. The cytotoxicity of complexes, CuL(ClO₄)₂, NiL(ClO₄)₂(H₂O), CoL(ClO₄)₂, were tested in vitro applying seven well-characterized human tumor cell lines, MCF7, EVSA-T, WIDR, IGROV, M19 MEL, A498, H226, and the microculture sulforhodamine B (SRB) test. All complexes show a very high cytotoxicity (ID₅₀ < 250 ng/ml) in these cell lines.     

Studies of Thermochemical Properties of a New Ionic Liquid Prepared by Mixing 1-Methyl- 3-Pentylimidazolium Chloride with InCl3

A new ionic liquid, PMIInCl₄, was prepared by mixing 1-methyl-3-pentylimidazolium chloride (PMIC) with InCl₃. The molar enthalpies of solution of PMIC and PMIInCl₄ in water to form solutions at various molalities were determined at 298.15 K using an isoperibol calorimeter. Using Pitzer's electrolyte solution model, the molar enthalpies of solution of PMIC and PMIInCl₄ at infinite dilution, Δ_sol H^_m, and Pitzer's ion-interaction parameters β_MX ^(0)L, β_MX ^(1)L and C_MX ^ϕL, were derived. The values of the apparent relative molar enthalpy L and relative partial molar enthalpy of the solutes (PMIC and PMIInCl₄), , were subsequently calculated. Using the values of Δ_sol H^_m of PMIC, PMIInCl₄ and InCl₃, the enthalpy change, Δ_r<H=−38.19kJ·;mol^-1, was calculated for the reaction PMIC + InCl₃ → PMIInCl₄     

三个二羧酸配体配位聚合物的合成、结构表征和荧光性质

以羧酸配体2,2''-（1,4-亚苯基双（亚甲基））双（硫二基）二苯甲酸（H₂L¹）和2,2''-（2,3,5,6-四甲基-1,4-亚苯基）双（亚甲基）双（硫二基）二苯甲酸（H₂L²）分别与金属盐反应,通过溶剂热方法合成了3个配位聚合物：{[Ni（L¹）（H₂O）₄]·2H₂O}_n （1）、[Zn（L¹）（DMA）₂]_n （2）和[Co（L²）（DMF）₂]_n （3）,其中DMA=N,N-二甲基乙酰胺,DMF=N,N-二甲基甲酰胺。对配合物1~3进行了单晶X射线衍射、元素分析、红外光谱、热重分析、粉末X射线衍射和固体紫外可见光谱测试和表征。单晶X射线衍射表明：3个配合物均为一维锯齿形链状结构,并通过氢键作用形成三维骨架,且配体均表现为反式构象。此外,对配合物2固态荧光性质进行了研究。     

Stereo-dynamics study of O + HCl → OH + Cl reaction on the <Superscript>3</Superscript>A″, <Superscript>3</Superscript>A′, and <Superscript>1</Superscript>A′ states

Using three accurate potential energy surfaces of the ³A″, ³A′, and ¹A′ states constructed recently, we present a quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) calculation for O + HCl (v = 0, j = 0) → OH + Cl reaction at the collision energies (E _col) of 14.0–20.0 kcal/mol. The three angular distribution functions—P(q_r ) P(\theta_{r} ) , P(j_r ) P(\varphi_{r} ) , and P(q_r ,j_r ) P(\theta_{r} ,\varphi_{r} ) , together with the four commonly used polarization-dependent differential cross-sections, \frac2ps \fracds₀₀ dw_t , \frac2ps \fracds₂₀ dw_t , \frac2ps \fracds_{22 +} dw_t , \textand \frac2ps \fracds_{21 -} dw_t {\frac{2\pi }{\sigma }}\,{\frac{{d\sigma_{00} }}{{d\omega_{t} }}},\,{\frac{2\pi }{\sigma }}\,{\frac{{d\sigma_{20} }}{{d\omega_{t} }}},\,{\frac{2\pi }{\sigma }}\,{\frac{{d\sigma_{22 + } }}{{d\omega_{t} }}},\,{\text{and}}\,{\frac{2\pi }{\sigma }}\,{\frac{{d\sigma_{21 - } }}{{d\omega_{t} }}} are exhibited to get an insight into the alignment and the orientation of the product OH radical. There is a similar behavior of the tendency scattering direction for the two triplet electronic states (³A″ and ³A′)—backward scattering dominates, however, forward scattering prevails for the case of ¹A′ state. Also, obvious differences have been found in the stereo-dynamical information, which reveals the influences of the potential energy surface and the collision energy. The degrees of polarization and the influence of the collision energy on the stereo-dynamics characters of the title reaction are both demonstrated in the order of ³A′ > ³A″ > ¹A′.     

Crystal structural characterization of three chlorosalicylato titanocene compounds

Abstract  Three chlorosalicylato titanocene compounds, namely [(MeCp)₂Ti(O,O′)(OCC₆H₃-5-Cl)]₂ (1), [(MeCp)₂Ti(O,O′)(OCC₆H₂-3,5-Cl₂)] (2) and [(MeCp)₂Ti(O,O′)(OCC₆H-3,5,6-Cl₃)] (3) have been synthesized via the reaction of (MeCp)₂TiCl₂ [MeCp = η⁵-(CH₃)C₅H₄] with the corresponding substituted chlorosalicylic acids in aqueous-organic systems in high yields and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and ¹H NMR spectra. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows that geometries at titanium (IV) atoms are distorted tetrahedrons and the exhibited frameworks are constructed through weak interactions, which are H-bonding, π–π stacking and C–H···π interactions. Additional weak interactions, such as Cl···Cl interactions in compound 1, are also present, which help to form and stabilize crystalline materials. It is noticeable that the discriminating framework structures of three compounds due to their weak interactions existing conspicuous changes which result from the number of chlorine atoms on substituted chlorosalicylates. Graphical Abstract  Three to four coordinated chlorosalicylato titanocene compounds, [(MeCp)₂Ti(O,O′)(OCC₆H₃-5-Cl)]₂ (1), [(MeCp)₂Ti(O,O′)(OCC₆H₂-3,5-Cl₂)] (2) and [(MeCp)₂Ti(O,O′)(OCC₆H-3,5,6-Cl₃)] (3) have been synthesized in aqueous-organic system in high yields. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows that geometries at titanium (IV) atoms are distorted tetrahedrons and the exhibited frameworks are constructed through weak interactions. The number of chlorine atoms on substituted chlorosalicylates has an effect on their framework structures.      

Synthesis,crystal structure,and antibacterial activity of mononuclear nickel(II) and cobalt(III) Schiff-base complexes

Four new mononuclear complexes, [Ni(L¹)(NCS)₂] (1), [Ni(L²)(NCS)₂] (2), [Co(L¹)(N₃)₂]ClO₄ (3), and [Co(L²)(N₃)₂]ClO₄ (4), where L¹ and L² are N,N′-bis[(pyridin-2-yl)methylidene]butane-1,4-diamine and N,N′-bis[(pyridin-2-yl)benzylidene]butane-1,4-diamine, respectively, have been prepared. The syntheses have been achieved by reaction of the respective metal perchlorate with the tetradentate Schiff bases, L¹ and L², in presence of thiocyanate (for 1 and 2) or azide (for 3 and 4). The complexes have been characterized by microanalytical, spectroscopic, single crystal X-ray diffraction and other physicochemical studies. Structural studies reveal that 1–4 are distorted octahedral geometries. The antibacterial activity of all the complexes and their constituent Schiff bases have been tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.     

Cycloaddition of C60 fullerene to stable 2-RSO2-benzonitrile oxides

The interaction of stable 2-RSO₂-benzonitrile oxides1a−c (R=Ph, Bu^t, or PhMeN) with C₆₀ fullerene proceeds at the double (6,6)-bond of fullerene as the [3+2] cycloaddition to form the corresponding isoxazolines2a−c. The molecular structure of compound2b was established by X-ray structural analysis. The interaction of C₆₀ fullerene with 2-(5-methyl-4-nitrothiophene)carbonitrile sulfide, which was obtained by thermolysis of 5-(5′-methyl-4′-nitro-2′-thienyl)1,3,4-oxathiazol-2-one, affords only unstable products. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 118–126, January, 1997.     

ESR study of paramagnetic derivatives of sterically hindered di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-quinone with the tetrathiafulvalene bridge

The paramagnetic derivatives of 4,4′,7,7′-tetra-tert-butyl-2,2′-bis-1,3-benzodithiol-5,5′,6,6′-tetraone (1), viz., radical anion salts of the alkali metals (Li, Na, K) and cobaltocenium cations, chelated mono-o-semiquinone complexes with different metal fragments (Tl, TlMe₂, SnPh₃, Mn(CO)₄, Mn(PPh₃)(CO)₃), a number of copper(I) complexes with sterically hindered phosphines as well as binuclear heterometallic derivatives of triphenylantimony(V) o-semiquinone-catecholate with the analogous paramagnetic centers, were studied by ESR spectroscopy. The reaction of di-o-quinone 1 with sodium amalgam resulted in the formation of all reduced forms including quinone-semiquinone, disemiquinone, semiquinone-catecholate, and dicatecholate. A radical cation with the unpaired electron localized on the tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) fragment, which resulted from the oxidation of di-o-quinone 1, was detected by ESR spectroscopy.     

S,N‐Chelated organotin(IV) compounds containing 6‐phenylpyridazine‐3‐thiolate ligand—structural,antibacterial and antifungal study

A series of tri‐ and diorganotin(IV) compounds containing potentially chelating S,N‐ligand(s) (L^SN, where L^SN is 6‐phenylpyridazine‐3‐thiolate) were prepared and structurally characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. X‐ray diffraction techniques were used for determination of the structure of compounds containing one [(L^SN)Ph₂SnCl], two [(n‐Bu)₂Sn(L^SN)₂] and the combination of two L^SN and one L^CN [(L^CN)(n‐Bu)Sn(L^SN)₂] (where L^CN is {2‐[(CH₃)₂NCH₂]C₆H₄}‐) ligands. The coordination number of the tin atom varies from five to seven and is dependent on the number of chelating ligands present. The formation of the five‐membered azastanna heterocycle is favored over the formation of four‐membered azastannathia heterocycle in compounds containing both types of ligands. The di‐n‐butyl‐substituted compounds are the most efficient ones in inhibition of growth of yeasts, molds and G⁺ bacteria strains. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

三个二羧酸配体配位聚合物的合成、结构表征和荧光性质

以羧酸配体 2,2''-(1,4-亚苯基双(亚苯基))双(硫二基)二苯甲酸(H₂L¹)和 2,2''-(2,3,5,6-四甲基-1,4-亚苯基)双(亚甲基）双(硫二基)二苯甲酸(H₂L²)分别与金属盐反应,通过溶剂热方法合成了 3个配位聚合物：{[Ni(L¹)(H₂O)₄]·2H₂O}_n (1)、[Zn(L¹)(DMA)₂]_n(2)和[Co(L²)(DMF)₂]_n (3),其中DMA=N,N-二甲基乙酰胺,DMF=N,N-二甲基甲酰胺。对配合物1~3进行了单晶X射线衍射、元素分析、红外光谱、热重分析、粉末X射线衍射和固体紫外可见光谱测试和表征。单晶X射线衍射表明：3个配合物均为一维锯齿形链状结构,并通过氢键作用形成三维骨架,且配体均表现为反式构象。此外,对配合物2固态荧光性质进行了研究。     

An α-Diimine-Nickel(II) catalyst bearing an electron-withdrawing substituent for olefin polymerization

A Br-substituted α-diimine ligand, bis[N,N′-(4-bromo-2,6-dimethylphenyl)imino]-2,3-butadiene L1, and its corresponding Ni(II) complex, {bis[N,N′-(4-bromo-2,6-dimethylphenyl)imino]-2,3-butadiene} dibromonicke [NiBr ₂ (L1)], have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure of the free ligand (L1) was determined by X-ray crystallography. Two α-diimine-Ni(II) catalysts, {bis[N,N′-(2,4,6-dimethylphenyl)imino]-2,3-butanedione} dibromonickel [NiBr ₂ (L2)] and {bis[N,N′-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)imino]-2,3-butanedione} dibromonickel [NiBr ₂ (L3)], were also synthesized and characterized for comparison. The complex [NiBr ₂ (L1)], when activated by diethylaluminum chloride, produces the most active catalytic system for the polymerization of ethylene among the three complexes. NMR analysis shows that the degree of branching of polyethylene increases in the presence of electron-withdrawing groups under the same reaction conditions.