The synthesis and X-ray structure of trans-NiCl2(1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene)2; attempts to polymerize olefins utilizing a nickel(II) complex of a sterically demanding N-heterocyclic carbene

The compound trans-NiCl2(IPr)2 (IPr=1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) is synthesized and characterized crystallographically. In combination with MAO, it is converted to an intermediate which catalyses the dimerization of ethylene but which not the polymerization of ethylene, propylene or 1-hexene.