Switchable living nickel(II) α-diimine catalyst for ethylene polymerisation

Design and synthesis of a Ni(II) “sandwich” α-diimine complex (1) resulted in a switchable catalyst for the living polymerisation of ethylene over a range of temperatures and pressures. Varying these conditions produced a well-defined tetrablock copolymer comprising branched and highly linear polyethylenes. This copolymer improved the toughness of a phase separated LDPE/HDPE blend by nonreactive interfacial compatibilisation.