Zwitterionic Nickel(II) Catalyst for CO–Ethylene Alternating Copolymerization

A zwitterionic nickel(II) catalyst has been discovered to display an initial catalytic activity comparable to that of cationic palladium catalysts for alternating copolymerization of carbon monoxide and ethylene. This demonstrates the absence of a severe dormant state in the present zwitterionic system, in contrast to the cationic nickel(II) catalysts. However, the highly active catalyst is short-lived. Stoichiometric decomposition of the catalyst under carbon monoxide suggests that the insufficient stability of the tetraphenylborate motif in the ligand framework with respect to electrophilic attack is likely a culprit for catalyst deactivation.