Bis-phenoxy-ether ligands for group IV polyolefin catalysis

A catalyst system comprising one or more metal-ligand complexes according to formula (I):

• where:
• M is a metal chosen from titanium, zirconium, or hafnium, the metal having a formal oxidation state of +2, +3, or +4;
• each dotted line represents an optional dative bond between O and M;
• each X is a monodentate or bidentate ligand independently chosen from unsaturated (C2-C50)hydrocarbon, unsaturated (C2-C50)heterohydrocarbon, (C1-C50)hydrocarbyl, cyclopentadienyl, substituted cyclopentadienyl, (C4-C12)diene, halogen;
• n is 2;
• the metal-ligand complex has 6 or fewer metal-ligand bonds;
• L is (C1-C10)hydrocarbylene or a bond;
• R1 R2, R3, R4, R9, R10, R11, and R12 is independently selected from the group consisting of —H, (C1-C40)hydrocarbyl, (C1-C40)heterohydrocarbyl, and halogen atom;
• R5a and R5b and R8a and R8b is selected from —H, (C1-C40)hydrocarbyl, (C6-C40)heterohydrocarbyl, and halogen atom, wherein R5a and R5b can optionally combine together to form a cyclic structure, and R8a and R8b can optionally combine together to form a cyclic structure;
• R6 and R7 is independently selected from —H, (C1-C50)hydrocarbyl, and (C1-C50)heterohydrocarbyl, wherein R6 and R7 can optionally combine together to form a cyclic structure;
• and
• R13 and R14 is independently selected from (C1-C40)hydrocarbyl and (C1-C40)heterohydrocarbyl.