New palladium α-diimine complexes containing dendritic wedges for ethene oligomerisation

The synthesis of new α-diimine ligands containing zero and first generation dendritic wedges is described. These ligands were reacted with (COD)PdCl2 to give the corresponding palladium α-diimine complexes. The resulting palladium complexes are active in the oligomerisation of ethene and the activity was compared to a related nickel complex.