Bimetallic Effects on Ethylene Polymerization in the Presence of Amines: Inhibition of the Deactivation by Lewis Bases

Dinickel complexes supported by terphenyl ligands appended
with
phenoxy and imine donors were synthesized. Full substitution of the
central arene blocks rotation around the aryl–aryl bond and
allows for the isolation of atropisomers. The reported complexes perform
ethylene polymerization in the presence of amines. The inhibiting
effect of polar additives is up to 250 times lower for the syn isomer
than the anti isomer. Comparisons with mononuclear systems indicate
that the proximity of the metal centers leads to the observed inhibitory
effect on the deactivation of the catalysts.