Novel polymer-supported β-diketonate nickel catalysts for α-olefin activation

Abstract

Styrene–divinylbenzene resins were used for the synthesis of different polymer‐bound β‐diketones, obtained by anchoring the chelating group through either the central or the lateral position. The heterogenized diketone ligand was subsequently reacted with Ni(COD)2 analogously to the corresponding homogeneous catalysts active in α‐olefin oligomerization. The heterogenized catalysts showed a good activity only when the central position of the chelate moiety was free. Heterogenization caused a significant change of selectivity: olefin oligomerization was accompanied by the formation of a large amount of polymeric products. This behavior is discussed in terms of steric effects caused by the bulky polymeric ligand. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.