Abstract: | A series of nickel complexes LNiCl2 (C1–C16), where L represents 2-benzoimidazol-8-alkylquinoline and its derivatives, were prepared as potential catalysts for the oligomerization of ethylene. The molecular structure of a representative complex C2·CH3CH2OH was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Upon treatment with diethylaluminium chloride (Et2AlCl), all nickel complex pre-catalysts exhibited good activities in the oligomerization of ethylene. Furthermore, in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO), the nickel pre-catalysts were suitable for vinyl polymerization of norbornene. |