Selective Oligomerization of Ethylene to Linear α-Olefins by Tetrahedral Cobalt(II) Complexes with 6-(Organyl)-2-(imino)pyridyl Ligands: Influence of the Heteroatom in the Organyl Group on the Catalytic Activity

The oligomerization of ethylene to α-olefins has been obtained by MAO activation of tetrahedral CoII complexes of iminopyridines substituted in the 6-position of the pyridine ring by thiophen-2-yl, furan-2-yl, or phenyl groups. An intriguing heteroatom effect has been noticed on both activity and selectivity, together with a change in the CoII spin state upon activation of the dichloride precursors with MAO.