The syntheses and characterisation of tri-and bi-dentate coordinated chromium() and vanadium() complexes of the general compositionThe molecular structure of 3gЈ shows the chromium atom is quasi-octahedral, six-coordinate, the three coordinated chlorine atoms disposed mer in the coordination sphere. The electronic spectra of the chromium complexes exhibit d-d transitions typical of a pseudo-octahedral coordinated d 3 ion, falling into the region ν 1 4 A 2g 4T 2g 600-700 nm and ν 2 4 A 2g 4 T 1g (F) 430-470 nm, and 10Dq values between 14 400 and 16 700 cm Ϫ1 . In the presence of MMAO the complexes give active catalyst systems for the conversion of ethylene into 1-alkenes or polymers, with activities and selectivities depending on the electronic and steric factors of the ligand system and the metal centre, respectively.