Ethylene polymerization by the thermally unique 1-[2-(bis(4-fluoro phenyl)methyl)-4,6-dimethylphenylimino]-2-aryliminoacenaphthylnickel precursors.

A series of 1-[2-(bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl)-4,6-dimethylphenylimino]-2-aryliminoacenaphthylene derivatives together with the corresponding nickel bromide complexes was synthesized and characterized. Representative complexes C2 and C5 were characterized by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction, revealing a distorted tetrahedral geometry. Upon activation with either methylaluminoxane (MAO) or ethylaluminum sesquichloride (EASC), all nickel complexes exhibited high activities towards ethylene polymerization, producing polyethylene with a relatively low degree of branching and narrow polydispersity. Complex C1 maintained good activity at elevated reaction temperatures, which indicates significant thermal stability of the active species.