Synthesis of a Ni Complex Chelated by a [2.2]Paracyclophane-Functionalized Diimine Ligand and Its Catalytic Activity for Olefin Oligomerization

A diimine ligand having two [2.2]paracyclophanyl substituents at the N atoms (L1) was prepared from the reaction of amino[2.2]paracyclophane with acenaphtenequinone. The ligand reacts with NiBr₂(dme) (dme: 1,2-dimethoxyethane) to form the dibromonickel complex with (R,R) and (S,S) configuration, NiBr₂(L1). The structure of the complex was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. NiBr₂(L1) catalyzes oligomerization of ethylene in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) co-catalyst at 10–50 °C to form a mixture of 1- and 2-butenes after 3 h. The reactions for 6 h and 8 h at 25 °C causes further increase of 2-butene formed via isomerization of 1-butene and formation of hexenes. Reaction of 1-hexene catalyzed by NiBr₂(L1)–MAO produces 2-hexene via isomerization and C12 and C18 hydrocarbons via oligomerization. Consumption of 1-hexene of the reaction obeys first-order kinetics. The kinetic parameters were obtained to be ΔG^‡ = 93.6 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔH^‡ = 63.0 kJ mol⁻¹, and ΔS^‡ = −112 J mol⁻¹deg⁻¹. NiBr₂(L1) catalyzes co-dimerization of ethylene and 1-hexene to form C8 hydrocarbons with higher rate and selectivity than the tetramerization of ethylene.