Synthesis, characterization, and ethylene polymerization of 1-[2,4-bis(bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl)naphthylimino]-2-aryliminoacenaphthylnickel bromides: influences of polymerization parameters on polyethylenes

A series of 1-[2,4-bis(bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl)naphthylimino]-2-aryliminoacenaphthylene derivatives (L1–L5) was prepared and used to react with (DME)NiBr2 to form the title complexes (C1–C5). The organic compounds were characterized by 1H/13C NMR measurements, FT-IR spectra and elemental analysis. Meanwhile, the nickel complexes were analyzed by FT-IR spectra, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction of the representative complex C1, which indicated a distorted tetrahedral geometry around the nickel center. Upon activation with diethylaluminum chloride (Et2AlCl), all the title nickel complexes were highly active for ethylene polymerization, resulting in polyethylenes with high molecular weights ranging from 0.86–5.58 × 105 g mol−1 and narrow polydispersity (1.22–1.99). Moreover, significant influences of polymerization parameters on the resultant polyethylenes were examined and are discussed.