Transition metal complexes bearing 2,6-bis(imino)pyridyl : Synthesis, structure, ethylene polymerization/ oligomerization studies

A series of new complexes {2,6-bis[1-((2-methyl-4-methoxyphenyl)imino)ethyl]pyridine}Cl2 [M=Fe(II) (2), Co(II) (3), Ni(II) (4), Cu(II) (5), Zn(II) (6)] have been synthesized. At 25°C, using 500 equiv of methylaluminoxane (MAO), the activities of Fe(II), Co(II) catalysts can reach 4.02 ×106 g/mol-Fehatm for ethylene polymerization and 3.98×105 g/mol-Cohatm for ethylene oligomerization. The effects of polymerization conditions such as reaction temperature, Al/M molar ratio and time on the activity of catalyst have been explored.