Ni(II) complexes bearing 2-aryliminobenzimidazole: synthesis, structure and ethylene oligomerization study

A series of nickel complexes bearing 2-aryliminobenzimidazole ligands were synthesized. Single-crystal X-ray analysis of complex 2 shows the nickel center adopts a distorted square-pyramidal geometry. Treatment of the complexes with methylaluminoxane (MAO) leads to active catalysts for ethylene oligomerization.