Imine Versus Amine Donors in Iron-Based Ethylene Polymerisation Catalysts

The synthesis and characterisation of iron(II) dichloro complexes containing neutral tridentate nitrogen ligands of the type 2-arylaminoalkyl-6-aryliminoalkylpyridine [2-ArNHCR(Me)-6-ArN=CR]C5H3N (R = H, Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3 or 2,4,6-Me3C6H2; R = Me, Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3)] and 2,6-bis(arylaminomethyl)pyridine [2,6-(ArNHCH2)2]C5H3N (Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3) are described and their activity in ethylene polymerisation is compared with their 2,6-bis(aryliminoalkyl)pyridine analogues.