Ni2 +-template mechanism to the nonsymmetrical Salen-type Schiff-base Ni2 + complex with effective catalysis on styrene polymerization

Upon one-pot reaction of the mono-imine Schiff-base precursor HL1 (HL1=(E)-2-((2-aminophenylimino)methyl)-4,6-di-tert-butyl-phenol), Ni(OAc)2·4H2O and salicylaldehyde, the Ni2+-template mechanism to the in situ formed nonsymmetrical Salen-type Schiff-base H2L-based complex [Ni(L)] (1) is identified with an intermediate of [Ni(L1)(μ1-OAc)]. Moreover, within following nonsymmetrical Salen-type Schiff-base Ni2+ complexes, the complex 1 is shown to effectively catalyze the solution polymerization of styrene in the presence of MAO (methylaluminoxane).