Synthesis, structural analysis of the hetero-bimetallic complexes MMe[(O-2,4-tBu2C6H2-6-CH2)2(μ2-O-2,4-tBu2C6H2-6-CH2)N][Me2Al(μ2-OiPr)] [M = Zr, Hf] and their use in catalysis for ethylene polymerisation

Abstract

The synthesis and structural analysis of the hetero-bimetallic M-Al complexes MMe[(O-2,4-(t)Bu2C6H2-6-CH2)2(μ2-O-2,4-(t)Bu2C6H2-6-CH2)N][Me2Al(μ2-O(i)Pr)] [M = Zr, Hf], prepared from M(O(i)Pr)[{(O-2,4-(t)Bu2C6H2)-6-CH2}3N] by treating with 1.0 equiv. of AlMe3, have been explored: these complexes exhibited catalytic activities for ethylene polymerisation in n-octane in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO). The Zr-Al analogue showed high catalytic activities affording polymers with unimodal molecular weight distributions.