A series of unsymmetrical a-diimine nickel complexes with various backbones and substituted aniline moieties were synthesized and characterized. The crystallographic analysis of the nickel complexes confirmed the existence of meso-and rac-configuration in solid structure. Nickel complexes after activation by MAO were screened for ethylene polymerization to evaluate backbone substituent effect on synthesis of bimodal PE. Acenaphthyl nickel complex with planar backbone afforded a bimodal PE with a broad polydispersity, whereas camphyl nickel complex with rigid and bulky backbone afforded a monomodal PE with a narrow polydispersity. Steric effect of aniline moiety for acenaphthyl nickel complex was also examined, and bimodal PE with dominant high-molecular-weight fraction was obtained by modifying substituents on aniline moiety.
