ω-Phenylalkyl substituted amido functionalized ansa half-sandwich complexes of titanium and zirconium and metallacycles thereof as catalyst precursors for homogeneous ethylene polymerization

The preparation and characterization of ω-phenylalkyl substituted ansa half-sandwich dichloride complexes of titanium and zirconium is described. These complexes react with butyllithium to give metallacycles via a CH activation reaction on the ortho position of the phenyl group. All complexes were used as catalyst precursors for homogeneous ethylene polymerization. The effect of the catalyst structure on the polyethylene properties is discussed.