Integrating Catalyst and Co‐Catalyst Design in Olefin Polymerization Catalysis: Transferable Dianionic Ligands for the Activation of Late Transition Metal Polymerization Catalysts

Treatment of nickel and palladium α‐diimine catecholate complexes with alkylaluminum catecholates leads to active ethylene polymerization catalysts. Comparison of the catalytic activities achieved with combinations of α‐diimine catecholate or halide complexes as catalyst precursors with different activators (MMAO or alkylaluminum catecholates) reveals that the presence of the catecholate ligand in both catalyst components is beneficial for achieving high activity levels at very low M/Al ratios.