Construction of C1-symmetric zirconium complexes by the design of new Salan ligands. Coordination chemistry and preliminary polymerisation catalysis studies.

The first synthesis of achiral and chiral [ONNO']-type Salan ligands featuring two different phenol arms, and the diastereoselective formation of the corresponding octahedral C1-symmetric zirconium complexes is described; the activity and isospecificity induction of the [ONNO']Zr(bn)2 complexes in 1-hexene polymerisation reflected those of the parent symmetric compounds.