Titanium amidate complexes as active catalysts for the synthesis of high molecular weight polyethylene

A series of titanium and zirconium bis(amidate) complexes of the type L2MX2, where L is an amidate ligand, and X is either –NMe2 or –Cl, were prepared in 60%–83% yield and fully characterized. Multiple binding motifs are observed as the amidate ligand can bind in κ1- and κ2-modes. These complexes were then subjected to screening the catalytic polymerization of ethylene. All catalysts, after reaction with suitable co-catalyst, were functional for ethylene polymerization, though not for the copolymerization of ethylene and longer linear 1-alkenes. Polyethylene was formed in the range of 1000–4000 kDa, and with PDI values as low as 1.3. These long polymeric chains are considered as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).