Nickel (II) complexes with β-enaminoketonato chelate ligands: Synthesis, solid-structure characterization and reactivity toward the addition polymerization of norbornene

Based on two β-enaminoketonato ligands [ArNC(CH3)C(H)C(CF3)OH] (L1, Ar = 2,6-Me2C6H3; L2, Ar = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3), their mono(β-enaminoketonato)nickel (II) complexes [(ArNC(CH3)C(H)C(CF3)O)Ni(Ph)(PPh3)] (1, Ar = 2,6-Me2C6H3; 3, Ar = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3) and bis(β-enaminoketonato)nickel (II) complexes [(ArNC(CH3)C(H)C(CF3)O)2Ni] (2, Ar = 2,6-Me2C6H3; 4, Ar = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3) have been synthesized and characterized. The molecular structures of complex 1, 2 and 4 have been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analyses. After being activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO) these catalytic precursors 1–4 could polymerize norbornene to afford addition-type polynorbornene (PNB). Interestingly, catalytic activities and PNB productivity were greatly enhanced due to the introduction of strong electron-withdrawing group – trifluoro methyl into the ligands. Catalytic activities, polymer yield, Mw and Mw/Mn of PNB have been investigated under various reaction conditions.