Nickel (II) complexes supported by a fluorinated β‐diketiminate backbone ligand: synthesis, catalytic activity toward norbornene polymerization, and the oxygenated species

The reaction of the lithium salt of backbone fluorinated β‐diketiminate ligands, ArNC(CF3)CHC(CF3) NArLi, with trans‐[NiCl(Ph)(PPh3)2] gives nickel (II) complexes, ArNC(CF3)CHC(CF3)NAr(Ph) (PPh3)Ni (Ar = 2, 6‐Me2C6H3: 1; 2, 6‐iPr2C6H3: 2). When activated by methylaluminoxane (MAO), both complexes polymerize norbornene rapidly via a vinyl‐type polymerization mechanism. Treatment of nickel complex 1 with oxygen gives rise to intramolecular aerobic hydroxylation. The oxygenated species 3 was characterized by X‐ray crystallography.