Novel Catalytic System for Ethylene Oligomerization: An Iron(III) Complex with an Anionic N,N,N Ligand

We report a novel iron(III)-based catalytic system formed by the addition of an anionic N,N,N ligand to an iron(III) precursor. The complex has been characterized by FT-IR, mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction. This precatalyst proved to form a stable, active species for the selective oligomerization of ethylene. Up to 66 wt % of butenes was obtained with a selectivity of 98% in 1-butene.