Imino- and Amido-Pyridinate d-Block Metal Complexes in Polymerization/Oligomerization Catalysis

This contribution is aimed at providing an overview of the oligomerization/ polymerization catalysis mediated by early and late transition metal complexes stabilized by imino- and amidopyridinate ligands. While late metals are often coordinated by imino-pyridyl moieties, earlier metals are generally stabilized by amido-pyridyl systems. The ability of the complexes described within this chapter at catalytic olefin upgrading is quite remarkable, ranging from the wellcontrolled olefin oligomerization to the production of high molecular weight isotactic polypropylene in high polymerization temperature processes. Particular attention has been paid to the ligand and complex syntheses as well as to unveil the role of the ligand substituents on the catalyst activity and selectivity.