Nickel Catalyzed Copolymerization of Ethylene and Alkyl Acrylates.

Ni(II) complexes bearing an o-bis(aryl)phosphinophenolate ligand were synthesized as catalysts for copolymerization of ethylene and alkyl acrylates. When the P-bound aryl group was 2,6-dimethoxyphenyl group, one of the oxygen atoms in the methoxy groups coordinated to the nickel center on its apical position. This complex was a highly active catalyst without any activators to give highly linear and high molecular weight copolymers.