Synthesis, Characterization, and Highly Selective Ethylene Dimerization to 1‐Butene of [O⁻NX]Ni(II) Complexes

Abstract

Abstract A series of nickel(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized. Molecular structure analysis exhibits that a square planar geometry around nickel is adopted. Upon activation with MAO, these nickel(II) complexes are efficient in catalyzing the ethylene dimerization, providing 1‐butene with an activity of up to 1.4×10 7 g/(mol·h·atm). The heteroatoms of the sidearm in the complexes were proved to have great impact on the activity and selectivity of 1‐butene.