Novel neutral phenylnickel phosphine compounds bearing iminoaryl-substituted cyclopentadienyl ligand: Synthesis, characterization and their styrene polymerization behaviors

Four neutral phenylnickel phosphine compounds linked iminoaryl-substituted cyclopentadienyl ligand of the type [NiL(PPh3)Ph] have been synthesized and characterized. All these complexes exhibit high catalytic activity in catalyzing styrene polymerization under the action of MAO and afford bimodal polystyrene.