Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic ethylene oligomerization of pyridine-imine palladium complexes

Two neutral five-membered pyridine-imine palladium complexes with the bulky dibenzhydryl (CH(Ph)(2)) substituted aniline were synthesized and fully characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and X-ray crystal diffraction. Well-defined cationic palladium complexes were further obtained by treatment of chloromethylpalladium complexes with sodium tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate (NaBArF) in CH3CN. Cationic palladium complexes were capable of catalyzing ethylene oligomerization without any cocatalysts. The influences of catalyst structure, reaction temperature, and ethylene pressure on ethylene oligomerization were studied in detail. The introduction of bulky benzhydryl (CH(Ph)(2)) on the ortho position of the aniline moiety enhanced catalytic activity, thermal stability of the catalyst, and molecular weight of the obtained products. Highly branched oligomers with molecular weights of 600-800 g/mol and narrow polydispersities (1.03-1.12) were produced.