Ethylene Polymerization and Copolymerization with Polar Monomers Using Nickel Complexes Bearing Anilinobenzoic Acid Methyl Ester Ligand

Neutral nickel complexes containing an anilinobenzoic acid methyl ester ligand are prepared and applied for the ethylene polymerization and copolymerization with polar monomers. The complex C2 containing isopropyl substituent on the aniline ligand conducts ethylene polymerization with high activity and good thermal stability. Most importantly, the catalyst promotes the copolymerization of ethylene and polar monomers with high activity (up to 277 kg·mol(−1)·h(−1)), affording ester-functionalized semicrystalline polyethylene with reasonable polar monomer content (up to 3.20 mol %).