This invention provides a highly thermally stable, photoresponsive α-
diimine nickel complex, its synthesis method, and its applications, aiming to develop novel
olefin polymerization catalysts with both excellent
thermal stability and photoresponsive properties. The core photoresponsive switch of this type of
nickel complex is a rigid diphenylethylene derivative, which can achieve reversible
photoisomerization of the E / Z configuration under 365 nm and 405 nm
ultraviolet light irradiation: the E configuration has a relatively open coordination environment; after
light irradiation, the Z configuration has a more compact
spatial structure, which can form a dual regulatory mechanism: steric hindrance and potential
metal-
aryl π interactions. Due to this dual regulatory mechanism, the complex exhibits excellent
thermal stability at 150 °C. o Even at high temperatures, it still maintains a high value of 0.8 × 10⁻⁶. 6 g·mol ‑1 ·h ‑1 The
nickel complex of this invention exhibits enhanced catalytic activity and effectively inhibits
chain transfer and
chain walking reactions during high-temperature
polymerization. By synergistically enhancing
thermal stability through configurational tautomerism, and possessing both photoresponsive properties and high catalytic activity, it holds significant research value and broad application prospects in the precise synthesis of functionalized
polyolefin materials.