A series of α-diimine Ni(II) complexes containing bulky phenyl groups, [ArN = C(Naphth)C = NAr]NiBr₂ (Naphth: 1,8-naphthdiyl, Ar = 2,6-Me₂-4-PhC₆H₂ (C1); Ar = 2,4-Me₂-6-PhC₆H₂ (C2); Ar = 2-Me-4,6-Ph₂C₆H₂ (C3); Ar = 4-Me-2,6-Ph₂C₆H₂ (C4); Ar = 4-Me-2-PhC₆H₃ (C5); Ar = 2,4,6-Ph₃C₆H₂ (C6)), were synthesized and characterized. Upon activation with either diethylaluminum chloride (Et₂AlCl) or modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), all Ni(II) complexes showed high activities in ethylene polymerization and produced highly branched amorphous polyethylene (up to 145 branches/1000 carbons). Interestingly, the sec-butyl branches were observed in polyethylene depending on polymerization temperature. Polymerization of 1-alkene (1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-decene and 1-hexadecene) with C1-MMAO at room temperature resulted in branched polyolefins with narrow Mw/Mn values (ca. 1.2), which suggested a living polymerization. The polymerization results indicated the possibility of precise microstructure control, depending on the polymerization temperature and types of monomers.
Keywords: 1-alkene; branched polyolefins; chain-walking polymerization; living polymerization; α-diimine Ni(II) complex.