Abstract: | A new β‐ketoimine ligand was prepared through traditional condensation of 2‐acetylcyclohexanone with 1‐naphthylamine. Consequently, the new moisture‐ and air‐stable bis(β‐ketoamino)nickel(II) complex Ni[2‐CH3C(O)C6H8(NAr)]2 (Ar = naphthyl) was synthesized and characterized. The solid‐state structures of the ligand and complex have been determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Additionally, the new complex is a highly active catalyst precursor for polymerization of norbornene in combination with methylaluminoxane. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |