Synthesis, characterization and catalytic behaviors of water-soluble phosphine-sulfonato nickel methyl complexes bearing PEG-amine labile ligand

Two novel water-soluble phosphine-sulfonato nickel (II) methyl complexes [(P^O)NiMeL] (P^O = κ2-P,O-2-(2-MeO-C6H4)2PC6H4SO3, L = H2N(CH2CH2O)nMe, n = ca. 52, 2a; n = ca. 16, 2b) have been prepared and characterized by 1H, 31P NMR and elemental analysis, and their reactivity towards ethylene was studied.