A cavity-shaped cis-chelating P,N ligand for highly selective nickel-catalysed ethylene dimerisation

The presence of a permethylated alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) cavity in a chelating P,N ligand promotes exclusive formation of 1 : 1 ligand/metal complexes. In MX2 complexes, one of the two halido ligands is forced to reside inside the CD hollow while the second one is pointing outside. Unlike its cavity-free analogue, a Ni(ii) complex of the CD ligand is a highly selective precatalyst for ethylene dimerisation (96% C-4 selectivity with up to 95% of 1-butene within the C-4 fraction).