Positional heterogenization effect in salicylaldimine nickel catalyzed ethylene polymerization

Abstract Heterogenization of nickel‐based olefin polymerization catalysts has received increasing attention in recent years. In this contribution, positional heterogenization effect in salicylaldimine nickel catalyzed ethylene polymerization is studied. The salicylaldimine nickel pre‐catalysts bearing anchor groups are synthesized, characterized, and investigated in heterogeneous catalytic ethylene polymerization. The anchoring groups are installed at different positions, including the 4‐position of the salicylaldehyde moiety and the 4‐position of the aniline moiety. It is shown that the positions of the anchoring groups have significant effects on heterogeneous ethylene polymerization catalyzed by SiO 2 ‐supported salicylaldimine nickel catalysts. This provides a strategy worth considering for the design of high‐performance heterogeneous catalysts in the future.