Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 July 2013
The synthesis of titanium and zirconium complexes ligated by bidentate “salicylaldimine-like” N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) is reported. These complexes are rare examples of group IV transition metal NHC adducts. In the presence of methylaluminoxane these complexes are useful initiators for the polymerization of ethylene and the copolymerization of ethylene with norbornene and 1-octene. Linear high density polyethylene could be produced. The Ti complexes are also utilized to yield highly syndiotactic polystyrene.