Synthesis of high molecular weight polyethylene using iminopyridyl nickel catalysts.

A series of iminopyridyl Ni(ii) catalysts containing both the dibenzhydryl and the naphthyl moieties can polymerize ethylene with high activity and high thermal stability, generating polyethylene with a molecular weight of up to one million. In α-olefin polymerization, semicrystalline polymers with high melting temperatures are generated.