Catalytic effect of cobalt and iron complexes incorporating bis(2-aldiminoethyl)amine ligands on ethylene oligomerization

Complexes [MCl2 {CH3N (CH2CH2N = (CRR)-R-1)(2))}](3, M = Co, R-1 = H, R-1 = Ph; 4, M = Fe. R-1 = H, R-2 = Ph; 5, M = Co, R-1 = R-2 = Ph) were prepared and characterized by IR spectra and elemental analysis. The combination of each of complexes 3-5 with ethylaluminoxane (EAO), respectively, was found to be moderatety active for ethylene oligornerization to low carbon olefins. The activity of 113 kg oligomers . mol(-1) Co . h(-1) for complex 3(100 mol of EAO, 180 degreesC and 1.8 MPa ethylene) was observed with a selectivity of 93% to C4-10 olefins, of which 96% were linear C4-10 olefins. The catalytic properties of complexes 3-5 were compared with those of analogous P,P-coordinated complexes [MCl2{CH3N(CH2CH2PPh2)(2)}](1, M = Co; 2, M = Fe).