Polymerisation of Ethylene and Alpha-Olefins with Pyridino-Iminophenol Complexes

An active catalyst system comprising:

• a metallic complex of formula I:
• wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, are each independently selected from hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbyl having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or inert functional group and two or more of those groups can themselves be linked together to form further ring or rings;
• M is a metal Group 3 to 10 of the Periodic Table;
• Y is O or NR*, R* being selected from alkyl or aryl having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms;
• each X is the same or different and is selected from halogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy or alkoxy;
• m is zero or an integer from 1 to 3;
• and (n+1) is the valence of M;
• an activating agent selected from an aluminum or boron-containing complex;
• and
• optionally a scavenger, a transfer agent or combinations thereof.

A method for preparing an active catalyst system comprising:

• reacting a ligand of formula II
• with a metallic salt MXn+1 in a solvent, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, are each independently selected from hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbyl having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or inert functional group and two or more of those groups can themselves be linked together to form further ring or rings;
• M is a metal Group 3 to 10 of the Periodic Table;
• Y is O or NR*, R* being selected from alkyl or aryl having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms;
• each X is the same or different and is selected from halogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy or alkoxy;
• m is zero or an integer from 1 to 3;
• and (n+1) is the valence of M;
• adding an activating agent exhibiting ionising action and selected from an aluminum or boron-containing complex or adding an activating support;
• optionally adding or scavenger and/or a transfer agent;
• and
• retrieving an active oligomerisation or polymerisation catalyst system.