Cationic palladium(II)–acetylacetonate complexes bearing α-diimine ligands as catalysts in norbornene polymerization

•Pd(II)–acetylacetonate complexes bearing α-diimine ligands were synthesized.•Addition polymerization of norbornene was studied upon Pd(II)/BF3·OEt2 activation.•A new class of alkylating agent free Pd–diimine catalyst systems is proposed.

A variety of palladium(II)–acetylacetonate complexes bearing α-diimine ligands were synthesized by the reaction of [Pd(acac)(MeCN)2]BF4 with N⁀N ligands. When activated with BF3·OEt2, these complexes provide access to a new class of alkylating agent free Pd–diimine catalyst systems. Catalyst screening for the vinyl addition polymerization of norbornene showed their high activities of 102–104 kgpol molcat− 1 h− 1.

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