Polymerization of ethene with zirconocene catalysts: an experimental and quantum chemical study of the influence of para-substituent in benzyl in bis{η5-(1-benzyl)indenyl}zirconium dichlorides

The meso- and rac-like isomers of bis{η5-(1-benzyl)indenyl}zirconium dichloride (5), bis{η5-(1-para-methoxybenzyl)indenyl}zirconium dichloride (6), bis{η5-(1-para-fluoro-benzyl)indenyl}zirconium dichloride (7) and bis{η5-(1-phenylethyl)indenyl}zirconium dichloride (8) were synthesized and isolated. Methylaluminoxane (MAO) activated diastereomers of complexes 5-8 were studied in ethene polymerization.