Synthesis, structures and ethylene polymerization activity of chromium(III) complexes with N,O,N′-tridentate ligands

This paper reports the synthesis and characterization of four neutral chromium(III) complexes bearing N,O,N′-tridentate ligands, [LCrCl3], (L = 2-[(2-pyridylmethoxy)methyl]pyridine, 1; L = 8-(2-pyridylmethoxy)quinoline, 2; L = 8-[(2-pyridylmethoxy)methyl]quinoline, 3; L = 8-(quinolin-8-ylmethoxy)quinoline, 4). Molecular structures of 1–3 have been determined by X-ray crystallography, which show that L1 and L3 exhibit facial configuration in 1 and 3 while L2 adopts meridional arrangement in 2. The ethylene polymerization experiments show that complexes 1–4 are moderately active precatalysts for ethylene polymerization with activation with MAO.

Graphical abstractFour neutral chromium(III) complexes bearing N,O,N′-tridentate ligands have been synthesized and characterized. Three molecular structures have been determined by X-ray crystallography, which show that two molecular structures exhibit facial configuration while the other adopts meridional arrangement. The ethylene polymerization experiments show that four complexes are moderately active precatalysts for ethylene polymerization with activation with MAO.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Four chromium(III) complexes with N,O,N′-tridentate ligands were synthesized. ► Molecular structures of three complexes were determined by X-ray crystallography. ► These complexes were found to be moderately active precatalysts for ethylene polymerization.