Imine-based vanadium catalysts for α-olefin polymerization

Advances over the last decade in the development of vanadium-based pro-catalysts bearing ligands containing the imine functionality are discussed in terms of their synthesis, characterization and their ability to oligmerize/polymerize a-olefins. The chapter is organized by ligand type, considering initially ligands which chelate (bi- and tri-dentate) only through nitrogen centres, before discussing those binding via nitrogen and oxygen (bi-, tri- and tetra-dentate), those with nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur donors (penta- and hexa-dentate) and finally a number of ligand systems which are either mono-dentate or for which the term imine can be more loosely applied, such as the heterocycle pyridine.