Direct evidence for a coordination–insertion mechanism of ethylene oligomerization catalysed by neutral 2,6-bisiminopyridine iron monoalkyl complexes

Abstract

¹H NMR studies on ethylene oligomerization catalysed by the neutral monoalkyl complex [Fe(Me)(^iPrBIP)] allow direct observation of alkyl iron intermediates as well as reversible ethylene coordination to the metal center, providing for the first time experimental evidence for a coordination–insertion mechanism of iron-catalysed ethylene upgrade reactions.