Oligomerisation of Ethylene to Linear alpha-Olefins by Tetrahedral Cobalt(II) Precursors Stabilised by Benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl-Susbstituted (Imino)pyridine Ligands

On activation by MAO, 2-(imino)pyridine cobalt dichlorides bearing a benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl substituent in the 6-position of the pyridine ring oligomerise ethylene to a-olefins with turn-over-frequencies as high as 1.5106 mol of C2H4 converted (mol of Co x h)-1 and productivities as high as 3769 kg of oligomers (mol of Co x h x bar)-1. Aldimine precursors are more active than ketimine analogues, yet ketimines give higher molecular weight oligomers.