Cobalt and nickel complexes bearing 2,6-bis (imino) phenoxy ligands: syntheses, structures and oligomerization studies

A series of new cobalt and nickel complexes LMX2 (M = Co, X = Cl; M = Ni, X = Br) bearing 2, 6-bis(imino)phenoxy ligands were synthesized. The solid-state structures of 1 and 4 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. Treatment of the complexes LMX2 with methylaluminoxane (MAO) leads to active catalysts for oligornerization of ethylene with catalytic activities in the range of 1.2 x 10(5)-2.1 x 10(5) g mol(-1) h(-1) atm(-1) for Ni complexes, and similar to10(3) g mol(-1) h(-1) atm(-1) for Co complexes. The oligomers were olefins from C-4 to C-16. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.