Cobalt-β-diimine complexes for ethylene oligomerization

Abstract This work describes the synthesis of cobalt-β-diimine complexes as well as their application as ethylene oligomerization catalyst precursors. The ligands differ from each other by substituents on the aromatic rings. The catalytic precursors were tested in ethylene oligomerization, using EASC (Ethylaluminium sesquichloride, Et 2 Al 2 Cl 3 ) as co-catalyst, and toluene as solvent and displayed TOF in the range of 0.8 to 34 s − 1 . The catalytic systems were selective in the C 4 -C 6 fraction, attaining 100% selectivity in C 4 . It was observed that the ligands nature strongly influence the catalytic activity.