Accessing multiple polyethylene grades via a single redox-active olefin polymerization catalyst

Abstract

The ability to control catalytic activity via redox-activity has had a significant impact on the field of polymerization catalysis. Herein, we describe the synthesis of three unique Ni-based olefin polymerization catalysts bearing redox-active α-diimine ligands. We will demonstrate that catalysts bearing butanedione- or glyoxal-derived ligands display little to no differentiation as a function of redox-state. However, in stark contrast we will show that the catalyst bearing an acenaphthenequinone-derived ligand is capable of producing either medium-density or very-low-density polyethylene based purely on its ligand-based redox-state. This ability to access more than one polyethylene grade via a single redox-active catalyst is unprecedented.