Nine-Membered Titanacyclic Complexes Based on an Ethylene-Bridged Bis(phenolato) Ligand:  Synthesis, Structure, and Olefin Polymerization Activity

Tetravalent titanium complexes containing the ethylene-linked bis(phenolato) ligand ebmp exhibit a C₂-symmetric conformation according to single-crystal X-ray structural analyses. In solution, a fluxional process equivalent to an enantiomerization is detected. Upon activation with methylaluminoxane, these complexes copolymerize ethylene and styrene with remarkably high incorporation of styrene.