Synthesis, characterization, and ethylene oligomerization of 2,6-bis(imino)phenoxy cobalt complexes

A series of cobalt complexes bearing 2,6-bis(imino) phenoxy ligands were synthesized by treating the ligand 2,6-bis(imino) phenol with a molar equivalent of cobalt dichloride. These complexes were characterized by elemental analyses and IR spectroscopy. The structure of the resulting complex was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction; it crystallizes in the monoclinic space groupC2/c, with a 22.313(3) Angstrom, b 14.7078(15) Angstrom, c 17.7652(17) Angstrom, beta 107.96(7)degrees, and V 5546.0(10) Angstrom(3). The coordination geometry around the cobalt atom can be described in terms of a distorted tetrahedral bonded with one phenoxy oxygen, one imino nitrogen, and two chloride atoms. In the presence of a methylaluminoxane cocatalyst, this and related complexes displayed catalytic activities towards ethylene oligomerization.