One-pot synthesis of spherical periodic mesoporous organosilica supported catalyst bearing Ni(II) α-diimine complexes for ethylene polymerization

Spherical periodic mesoporous organosilica (SPMO) supported catalyst bearing covalently tethered Ni(II) α-diimine complex has been successfully prepared in one-pot protocol reducing tedious and sensitive preparation steps. The SPMO-supported catalyst showed high activities (>106 g-PE mol-Ni−1 h−1 bar−1) in the presence of various cocatalysts such as methylaluminoxane and common alkyl aluminums like ethylaluminum sesquichloride, methylaluminum dichloride and diethylaluminum chloride. The thermal stability of the catalyst was enhanced to a great extent by heterogenization and the resulting polyethylenes showed uniform morphology replicating catalyst shape.