Living Polymerization of Ethylene with a Titanium Complex Containing Two Phenoxy-Imine Chelate Ligands

The presence of fluorine atoms in the ligand transforms titanium–salicylidene complex (see picture) into an effective catalyst for the living polymerization of ethylene. The catalyst displays very high activities (maximum turnover frequency 24 300 min−1 atm−1) and creates high molecular weight polyethylene (Mn>400 000) with extremely narrow polydispersities (Mw/Mn<1.20) at very high polymerization temperatures (25–50°C).