Nickel catalysts with single alkali ions for homopolymerization and copolymerization

A catalyst having a structure selected from Formula (1) and Formula (2):

• wherein in Formula (1) and Formula (2):
• Ar is 2,6-dimethoxyphenyl;
• L is an optionally substituted phenyl group;
• X is selected from hydrogen, an electron donating group, and an electron withdrawing group,
• Y and Z are each independently selected from hydrogen, an electron donating group, and an electron withdrawing group, provided that Y and Z are not both hydrogen;
• and
• R1, R2, and R3 are each independently selected from optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted alkyl, and optionally substituted cycloalkyl.