The new ligand L1 [2-[(E)-2,6-diisopropylphenyl-phenyimino]-2H-acenaphthylen-(1E)-ylidene]-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-amine was prepared by stepwise addition of 2,6-diisopropylaniline and 2,4,6 trimethylaniline to acenaphthenequinone. The L1NiBr2 complex crystallized as a pseudo tetrahedral monomer, as determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. This new catalyst L1NiBr2 and 3 related catalysts, bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)acenaphthenediimineNiBr2 (L2NiBr2), [(N,N'-bis-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-phenanthrene-9,10-diylidendiamineNi-η3-C3H4COOCH3)]+.{B[C6H3(CF3)2]4-} [(L3Ni-η3-C3H4COOCH3)]+.{B[C6H3(CF3)2]4-} and N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-N'-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-phenanthrene-9,10-diylidenediamineNiBr2 (L4NiBr2) were tested for activity in ethylene polymerization. The super-bulky α-diimine nickel catalysts [(η3- L3NiC3H4COOCH3)]+.{B[C6H3(CF3)2]4-} and L4NiBr2 successfully produced higher molecular weight polyethylene with a high level of linearity compared to the less bulky α-diimine nickel catalysts (L1NiBr2 and L2NiBr2). The super bulky α-diimine backbone helped to compress the reaction space and therefore impede the ethylene insertion to active centre of the catalyst. For this reason, the catalyst activity for super- bulky backbone ligands (L3 and L4) is lower than for their analogous less-bulky backbone ligands (L1 and L2). In general, for both backbones, the nickel catalysts with all-isopropyl substituents produced higher molecular weight polyethylene with less linearity compared to the nickel catalysts with methyl substituents. Moreover, for the acenaphthene backbone, the nickel catalysts with all isopropyl substituents (L2NiBr2) got a higher activity compared to the nickel catalysts with methyl substituents (L1NiBr2). A similar catalyst activity trend was not observed for phenanthrene backboned catalysts. In contrast, L4NiBr2 showed a higher activity compared to [(η3- L3NiC3H4COOCH3)]+.{B[C6H3(CF3)2]4-} For all catalysts, the majority of branches, as characterized by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, were methyl branches. Polymers with a high level of branches showed a sharp intensity in the loss modulus measured by dynamic mechanical analysis due to a high level of interfacial chains. A reduction in catalyst activity was observed with all nickel catalysts when supported on silica. However, supporting nickel catalysts helps to improve the linearity of the polymer. The same ligands L3 and L4 were used with palladium and successfully produced two new catalysts [L3PdCH3NCCH3]+.{B[C6H3(CF3)2]4-} and [L4PdCH3NCCH3]+.{B[C6H3(CF3)2]4-. Catalyst [L3PdCH3NCCH3]+.{B[C6H3(CF3)2]4-} was more active and produced higher molecular weight and less branched polymer than catalyst [L4PdCH3NCCH3]+.{B[C6H3(CF3)2]4-} in the polymerization of ethylene.

Seven β-triketimine nickel complexes C1-C7 with composition [L1-7Ni(μ-Br)2NiL1- 7][BArF4]2, where L1 = HC{C(Me)=N(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)}3, L2 = HC{C(Me)=N(2,6- Me2C6H3)}3, L3 = HC{C(Me)=N(2,4-Me2C6H3)}3, L4 = HC{C(Me)=N(2-MeC6H4)}3, L5 = HC{C(Me)=N(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)}2{C(Me)=N(2,6-Me2C6H3)}, L6 = HC{C(Me)=N(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)}{C(Me)=N(2,6-Me2C6H3)}2, and L7 = HC{C(Me)=N(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)}{C(Me)=N(2,6-iPr2C6H3)}2 were synthesized from the interaction of nickel(II) bromide with L1-7 in the presence of NaBArF (BArF = [(3,5- (CF3)2C6H3)4B]−). These complexes were then fully characterized by single-crystal X- ray diffraction (XRD), MALDI-MS and elemental analysis. From XRD results, they were found to be five-coordinated dimeric bromide-bridged species [LNi(μ- Br)2NiL][BArF]2. The geometry at nickel was distorted square pyramidal, with the τ parameter in the range 0.05 to 0.28. In addition, an enamine-diimine nickel complex C8: (L2-NiBr2) was synthesized from triketimine ligand L2 and nickel dibromide in THF, thus lacking the weakly co-ordinating BArF anion. This complex was found to be pseudotetrahedral, where only two of the three imine nitrogen atoms co-ordinated. These two nitrogen atoms and two bromine atoms formed the coordination shell of Ni(II). The six-membered ring [Co-N1-C2-C3-C4-N2] adopted a boat conformation. These complexes (C1-C7) were screened in the polymerization of ethylene monomer using methylaluminoxane (MAO) as cocatalyst in toluene as solvent at 30°C. It was observed that the steric and electronic variations conferred on the complexes by ligands L1-7 had a strong influence on the activity and also on the properties of the produced polyethylene. The catalytic activity decreased in the order C2 > C1 > C6 > C5 > C7 in the range 3229 to 271 kg PE (mol Ni)-1 h-1 for a standard set of conditions (3 bar ethylene, 30 ̊C, Al:Ni 2000), while the catalysts C3 and C4, bearing only a single ortho substituents, were inactive under identical conditions. Those conditions also had strong influences on catalyst activity and polymer properties: Al:Ni ratio in the range 500 to 3000 maximized activity at 2000. For the polymerization temperature in the range 20 to 50 °C, the activity was maximized at 30 °C, while the number of branches increased with temperature while Mn decreased due to increased chain transfer. Increasing the polymerization pressure resulted in fewer branches while the molecular weight increased because of high concentration of ethylene monomer. The effect of the nature of the counterion on polymerization activity and on the polymer properties was investigated when ethylene was polymerized by C8 (N,N-Ni) and C2 (N,N,N-Ni). It was found that polyethylene produced by C8 had significantly greater crystallinity (Tm 59 ̊C, 35 branches per 1000 carbons) than that produced by C2 (Tm 36 ̊C, 53 branches per 1000 carbons). The presence of the weakly nucleophilic counterion (BArF) as in C2, may have facilitated chain walking, resulting in a branched polymer, whereas [MeMAO]- (C8) was a slightly more nucleophilic counterion impeding chain walking. Furthermore, activity was also much greater for C2 than for C8. This is the first report of an anion effect on branching.

Neste trabalho, estudaram-se a síntese, a caracterização e a atividade catalítica na polimerização do etileno dos compostos organolantanídeos contendo ou não os ligantes pirazol (HPz) ou trifenilfosfina (PPh3), visando contribuir para a aplicação de organolantanídeos como catalisadores na polimerização de olefinas. A síntese dos compostos organolantanídeos foi feita em etapas, partindo-se dos brometos ou cloretos de lantanídeos anidros. Na primeira etapa, os compostos organolantanídeos LnX2Cp, X = Cl- ou Br-, Cp = ciclopentadienil e Ln = Sm, Tb, foram obtidos pela reação de LnCl3 ou LnBr3 anidros com NaCp em tetrahidrofurano, com razão molar de 1:1 (Ln:NaCp). A segunda etapa envolveu a sintese de SmBr2Cp(HPz)2, TbBr2CpHPz, LnCl2CpHPz, Ln = Sm, Tb e LnX2CpPPh3, X = Cl-, Br- e Ln = Sm, Tb, pela reação de LnX2Cp com os ligantes HPz ou PPh3 em tolueno, com razão molar apropriada. A análise elementar, a termogravirnetria, espectroscopia na região do infravermelho e a ressonância magnética nuclear de 1H foram as técnicas utilizadas para caracterizar os compostos. Estas classes de compostos organolantanídeos apresentaram atividade catalítica da ordem de 4,0 gPE mmolLn-1h-1bar-1, a polimerização do etileno (3 bar, 70°C) com a relação Al/Ln de 2000, usando como co-catalisador o polimetilaluminoxano. O polietileno obtido apresentou grau de cristalinidade de 39%. / In attempt to contribute to the application of organolanthanides as catalysts for olefin polymerization, we report the synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity in ethylene polymerization ofthe organolanthanide compounds containing or not the ligands triphenylphosphine (PPh3) and pyrazole (HPz). The synthesis of the organolanthanide compounds was performed in steps, from lanthanide chlorides or bromides. In the first step the organolanthanide compounds LnX2Cp, X = Cl- or Br-, Cp = cyclopentadienyl and Ln = Sm, Tb, were prepared by the reaction of anhydrous LnCl3 or LnBr3 with NaCp in tetrahydrofuran, with molar ratio of 1:1 (Ln:NaCp). The second step involved the synthesis of SmBr2Cp(HPz) 2, TbBr2CpHPz, LnCl2CpHPz, Ln = Sm, Tb and LnX2CpPPh3, X = Cl-, Br- and Ln = Sm, Tb, by the reaction of LnX2Cp with the HPz or PPh3 ligands in toluene, with appropriate molar ratios. Elemental analysis, thermogravimetry, infrared spectroscopy and 1H NMR were the techniques used to charcterize the compounds. These classes of organolanthanide compounds showed catalytic activity ca. 4.0 gPE mmolLn-1h-1bar-1, in ethylene polymerization (3 bar, 70°C) with Al/Ln ratio of 2000, using polymethylaluminoxane as cocatalyst. the resulting polyethylene presented crystallinity of 39%.

Neste trabalho, estudaram-se a síntese, a caracterização e a atividade catalítica na polimerização do etileno dos compostos organolantanídeos contendo ou não os ligantes pirazol (HPz) ou trifenilfosfina (PPh3), visando contribuir para a aplicação de organolantanídeos como catalisadores na polimerização de olefinas. A síntese dos compostos organolantanídeos foi feita em etapas, partindo-se dos brometos ou cloretos de lantanídeos anidros. Na primeira etapa, os compostos organolantanídeos LnX2Cp, X = Cl- ou Br-, Cp = ciclopentadienil e Ln = Sm, Tb, foram obtidos pela reação de LnCl3 ou LnBr3 anidros com NaCp em tetrahidrofurano, com razão molar de 1:1 (Ln:NaCp). A segunda etapa envolveu a sintese de SmBr2Cp(HPz)2, TbBr2CpHPz, LnCl2CpHPz, Ln = Sm, Tb e LnX2CpPPh3, X = Cl-, Br- e Ln = Sm, Tb, pela reação de LnX2Cp com os ligantes HPz ou PPh3 em tolueno, com razão molar apropriada. A análise elementar, a termogravirnetria, espectroscopia na região do infravermelho e a ressonância magnética nuclear de 1H foram as técnicas utilizadas para caracterizar os compostos. Estas classes de compostos organolantanídeos apresentaram atividade catalítica da ordem de 4,0 gPE mmolLn-1h-1bar-1, a polimerização do etileno (3 bar, 70°C) com a relação Al/Ln de 2000, usando como co-catalisador o polimetilaluminoxano. O polietileno obtido apresentou grau de cristalinidade de 39%. / In attempt to contribute to the application of organolanthanides as catalysts for olefin polymerization, we report the synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity in ethylene polymerization ofthe organolanthanide compounds containing or not the ligands triphenylphosphine (PPh3) and pyrazole (HPz). The synthesis of the organolanthanide compounds was performed in steps, from lanthanide chlorides or bromides. In the first step the organolanthanide compounds LnX2Cp, X = Cl- or Br-, Cp = cyclopentadienyl and Ln = Sm, Tb, were prepared by the reaction of anhydrous LnCl3 or LnBr3 with NaCp in tetrahydrofuran, with molar ratio of 1:1 (Ln:NaCp). The second step involved the synthesis of SmBr2Cp(HPz) 2, TbBr2CpHPz, LnCl2CpHPz, Ln = Sm, Tb and LnX2CpPPh3, X = Cl-, Br- and Ln = Sm, Tb, by the reaction of LnX2Cp with the HPz or PPh3 ligands in toluene, with appropriate molar ratios. Elemental analysis, thermogravimetry, infrared spectroscopy and 1H NMR were the techniques used to charcterize the compounds. These classes of organolanthanide compounds showed catalytic activity ca. 4.0 gPE mmolLn-1h-1bar-1, in ethylene polymerization (3 bar, 70°C) with Al/Ln ratio of 2000, using polymethylaluminoxane as cocatalyst. the resulting polyethylene presented crystallinity of 39%.

Density functional theory is used to study the physico-chemical effects of two metallic thin films separated by distances in a range of 4-10 amperes. In this condition, the electrons from the metallic thin film surfaces tunnel through the energy barrier existing between the separated thin films, creating an electronic distribution in the gap between films. The characteristics and features of this electronic distribution, such as energy, momentum, and number of electrons, can be traced by quantum mechanical analyses. These same features can be tuned by varying metallic thin film properties like thickness, separation between films, and film chemical nature. The possibility to tune the physical properties of the electrons located in the gap between thin films makes the studied systems promising for applications that range from catalysis to nano-electronics. Molecular oxygen, water, and ethylene were located in the gap between thin films in order to study the physical and chemical effects of having those molecules in the gap between thin films. It was observed that the electron structure in the gap modifies the geometric and electronic structure of those molecules placed in the gap. In the case of molecular oxygen, it was found that the dissociation energy can be tuned by changing the separation between thin films and changing the chemical nature of the surface and overlayer of the thin film. For water, it was found that by tuning the chemical nature of the surface and sub-surface of both metallic thin films, molecular water dissociation can occur. When ethylene was located in the gap between Ti/Pt thin films, the molecule converts in an anion radical adopting the geometry and structure of the activated monomer necessary to initiate chain polymerization. Regarding magnetism, it was found that by the surface interaction between Ti/Pt and Pt thin films, the magnetic moment of the system decreases as the separation between thin films decreases. The phenomenon was explained by changes observed in the number of electronic states at the Fermi level and in the exchange splitting as a function of separation between films. Finally, a system that resembles a p-n junction was proposed and analyzed. The system is a junction of two metallic thin films with different electronic density in the gap between surfaces. These junctions can be the building blocks for many electronic devices.

The synthesis and electropositive metal (Y, Lu, La, Zr, Hf) chemistry of two rigid dianionic xanthene-based ligands, 4,5-bis(2,4,6-triisopropylanilido)- -2,7-di-tert-butyl-9,9-dimethylxanthene (XN2) and 4,5-bis(2,4,6-triisopropylphenylphosphido)- 2,7-di-tert-butyl-9,9-dimethylxanthene (XP2) have been explored. The reaction of the pro-ligand H2XN2 with [Y(CH2SiMe2R)3(THF)2] (R = Me or Ph) produced the monoalkyl yttrium complexes [(XN2)Y(CH2SiMe3)- (THF)].(O(SiMe3)2)x (3, x = 1-1.5) and [(XN2)Y(CH2SiMe2Ph)(THF)].(O- (SiMe3)2) (4). Neutral 3 reacted with excess AlMe3 to yield [(XN2)Y{(m- Me)2AlMe2}(THF)].O(SiMe3)2 (5.O(SiMe3)2), which is thermally robust, and transfer of the XN2 ligand to aluminum was not observed. However, [(XN2)- AlMe].(O(SiMe3)2)0.5 (6.(O(SiMe3)2)0.5) was synthesized via the reaction of H2XN2 with AlMe3. Compounds 3, 5 and 6 were characterized by X-ray crystallography, and neutral 3, while being poorly active for ethylene polymerization, was highly active for both intra- and inter-molecular hydroamination with a variety of substrates. The synthesis of the pro-ligand H2XP2 was achieved via reduction of 4,5-bis(2,4,6-triisopropylphenylchlorophosphino)-2,7-di-tert-butyl-9,9-dimethylxanthene (XP2Cl2; 7). Double deprotonation of H2XP2 (8) with excess KH yielded the potassium salt, [K2XP2(DME)2.5] (9), which when stirred in THF followed by recrystallization from hexanes, produced the tetrametallic complex, [K4(XP2)2(THF)4] (10) featuring a central K4P4 cage. The reaction of [K2XP2(DME)2.5] (9) with [YI3(THF)3.5] yielded a mixture of products including [(XP2)YI(THF)2] (11) and tris(2,4,6-triisopropylphenylphosphinidene) (P3Tripp3); pure 11 could be isolated in low yield by extraction with a minimum volume of hexanes or O(SiMe3)2. In the solid state, complex 11 reveals a face-capped trigonal bipyramidal geometry at yttrium, in which the xanthene backbone is planar and adopts a large angle (85 degrees) between the P(1)/C(4)/C(5)/P(2) and P(1)/Y/P(2) planes. Due to the successful synthesis and hydroamination catalysis achieved with the XN2 ligand in combination with yttrium, the chemistry of XN2 was further explored using both smaller (Lu) and larger (La) rare earth elements. The alkane elimination reaction of H2XN2 with [Lu(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2], followed by crystallization from O(SiMe3)2, yielded [(XN2)Lu(CH2SiMe3)(THF)].(O- (SiMe3)2)1.5 (12.(O(SiMe3)2)1.5). By contrast, lanthanum complexes of the XN2 dianion were prepared by salt metathesis; treatment of H2XN2 with excess KH in DME produced the dipotassium salt, [K2(XN2)(DME)x] (2; x = 2-2.5), and subsequent reaction with [LaCl3(THF)3] afforded [{(XN2)LaCl- (THF)}x].(O(SiMe3)2)0.25x (13.(O(SiMe3)2)0.25x; x = 1 or 2) after crystallization from O(SiMe3)2. Compound 13.(O(SiMe3)2)0.25x reacted with two equivalents of LiCH2SiMe3, to form the dialkyl-`ate' complex, [Li(THF)x][(XN2)- La(CH2SiMe3)2].Toluene.LiCl (14.Toluene.LiCl; x = 3). Both 12 and 14 (x = 4) were structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography, and were evaluated as catalysts for intramolecular hydroamination. While compound 14 showed poor activity, the neutral lutetium alkyl complex, 12, is highly active for both intramolecular hydroamination and more challenging intermolecular hydroamination. Like the yttrium analogue, 3, reactions with unsymmetrical alkenes yielded Markovnikov products. Additionally, it is noteworthy that the activity of 12 surpassed that of 3 in the reaction of diphenylacetylene with 4-tert-butylbenzylamine. The reaction of H2XN2 with [Zr(NMe2)4], followed by crystallization from O(SiMe3)2, yielded [(XN2)Zr(NMe2)2].(O(SiMe3)2)0.5 (15.(O(SiMe3)2)0.5). The zirconium dimethyl complex [(XN2)ZrMe2] (16) was accessed via two routes; either by treatment of 15.(O(SiMe3)2)0.5 with excess AlMe3, or by reaction of 15.(O(SiMe3)2)0.5 with excess Me3SiCl, affording [(XN2)ZrCl2] (17), followed by the subsequent reaction of 17 with 2 equivalents of MeLi. The reaction of 16 with one equivalent of B(C6F5)3 or [CPh3][B(C6F5)4] yielded cationic [(XN2)- ZrMe][MeB(C6F5)3] (18) and [(XN2)ZrMe(arene)][B(C6F5)4] (19; arene = n6-benzene, n6-toluene or bromobenzene), respectively. Both 18 and 19 are active for ethylene polymerization under 1 atm of ethylene at 24 and 80 degree Celcius in toluene, with activities ranging from 23.5{883 kg/(mol.atm.h), yielding polymers with weight average molecular weights (Mw) of 71{88 kg/mol and polydispersities (Mw/Mn) of 3.94-4.67. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Pincer ligands are defined as meridionally-coordinating tridentate ligands, and are typically mono-, di- or tri-anionic. This thesis is focused on the synthesis and reactivity of rigid dianionic pincer ligands with an NON- or POP-donor array, with particular emphasis on rare earth and group 4 transition metal complexes. This work explores the effect that these rigid ligands have on the reactivity of the resulting metal complexes and the thermal stability of the solid state structures. Both neutral and cationic mono alkyl complexes have been isolated, and several are highly active catalysts for intra- and intermolecular hydroamination or ethylene polymerization.

Two main areas are considered in this manuscript. The first describes the synthesis of group 10 metal complexes incorporating the water-soluble 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA) ligand and the second deals with the preparation of Cr(salen)X catalysts for the copolymerization of CO2 and epoxides. In the first topic, the synthesis of nickel(II) and palladium(II) salicylaldiminato complexes incorporating PTA has been achieved employing two preparative routes. Upon reacting the original ethylene polymerization catalyst developed by Grubbs and coworkers (Organometallics, 1998, 17, 3149), (salicylaldiminato)Ni(Ph)PPh3, with PTA using a homogeneous methanol/toluene solvent system resulted in the formation of the PTA analogs in good yields. Alternatively, complexes of this type may be synthesized via a direct approach utilizing (TMEDA)M(CH3)2 (M = Ni, Pd), the corresponding salicylaldimine, and PTA. Polymerization reactions were attempted using the nickel-PTA complexes in a biphasic toluene/water mixture in an effort to initiate ethylene polymerization by trapping the dissociated phosphine ligand in the water layer, thereby, eliminating the need for a phosphine scavenger. Unfortunately, because of the strong binding ability of the small, donating phosphine (PTA) as compared to PPh3, dissociation did not occur at a temperature where the complexes are not subjected to decomposition. Additionally, the unexplored PTA derivative, 3,7-diacetyl-1,3,7-triaza-5-phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (DAPTA), prepared by the literature procedure, was fully characterized by NMR and X-ray analysis. DAPTA is found be similar to its parent (PTA) in coordination mode and binding strength, as supported by its representative group 6 and group 10 complexes The second main topic involves the copolymerization of CO2 and epoxides (i.e., cyclohexene oxide (CHO)) for the formation of polycarbonate using Cr(salen)X (X = Br, OPh) catalysts with one equivalent of PR3 as the co-catalyst. The use of these catalysts and cocatalysts results in the most active chromium-based catalytic systems to date. The . hr-1highest activities observed are on the order of 109 mol CHO consumed . mol Cr-1 using PCy3 as the co-catalyst, and is clearly seen in the in situ monitoring of copolymer formation. An advantage of these systems involves the lack of cyclic carbonate production and high CO2 incorporation (>99%) within the polymer.

Le présent travail de thèse décrit le développement de systèmes actifs de polymérisation d’oléfines basés sur des métaux de fin de transition (nickel et fer) supportés sur des nanomatériaux. Le chapitre I décrit l’état de l’art des systèmes catalytiques supportés ou non pour la polymérisation d’oléfines. Dans le chapitre II, nous décrivons la polymérisation de l’éthylène en utilisant des catalyseurs de nickel contenant un groupement –NH2 pour leur immobilisation covalente sur nanotubes de carbone ; montrant l’influence positive de l’immobilisation : les catalyseurs ainsi supportés sont en effet à la fois plus actifs et conduisant à des polymères de plus haut poids moléculaire. Dans le chapitre III, des complexes de fer contenant un groupement pyrène sont décrits et immobilisés sur nanotubes de carbone par interaction non covalente π-π. Dans ce cas, à la fois les systèmes homogènes et leurs analogues supportés catalysent la réaction de polymérisation de l’éthylène avec des activités particulièrement élevées. Il a également pu être mis en évidence l’importante influence du support carboné sur les performances du système catalytique ainsi que sur la structure des polymères obtenus. Différents types de complexes de nickel contenant un ligand imino-pyridine et différents groupes polyaromatiques ont été synthétisés et leur utilisation en polymérisation de l’éthylène est décrite dans le chapitre IV. L’influence de l’addition de faibles quantités de matériaux nanocarbonés (nanotubes de carbone ou graphène) au milieu réactionnel a ainsi été étudiée. Le graphène s’est dans ce cas révélé particulièrement bénéfique sur les performances du catalyseur. Enfin, le chapitre V décrit la polymérisation de l’isoprène à l’aide de catalyseurs de fer contenant des groupements polyaromatiques permettant leur immobilisation à la surface de nanoparticules de fer. Ces systèmes ont ensuite pu être confinés dans des nanotubes de carbone. Les systèmes catalytiques décrits sont particulièrement actifs produisant des polyisoprènes à température de transition vitreuse élevée et avec une haute sélectivité trans-1,4-polyisoprène. / This present thesis deals with the development of active olefin polymerization catalysts based on late transition metal (nickel and iron) imino-pyridine complexes supported on nanomaterial. Chapter I gives a comprehensive literature review of unsupported and supported ethylene polymerization catalyst. In Chapter II we report the ethylene polymerization studies using nickel complexes containing an –NH2 group for covalent immobilization on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) of the corresponding precatalysts. Comparison of the homogeneous catalysts with their supported counterparts evidenced higher catalytic activity and higher molecular weights for the polymers produced. In Chapter III, iron complexes containing a pyrene group have been synthesized and immobilized on MWCNTs through non-covalent π-π interactions between pyrene group and surface of MWCNTs. Activated by MMAO, both the iron complexes and immobilized catalysts show high activities for ethylene polymerization. It was possible to evidence that MWCNTs have a great influence on the catalytic activity and on the structure of the resulting polyethylenes. Imino-pyridine nickel complexes containing various kinds of aromatic groups have been synthesized in Chapter IV and polymerization conditions in the presence and in the absence of nanocarbon materials, such as MWCNTs or few layer graphene (FLG), are discussed. For those nickel catalysts bearing 1-aryliminoethylpyridine ligands, the presence of MWCNTs in the catalytic mixture allows the formation of waxes of lower molecular weight and polydispersity, whereas the presence of FLG proved to be beneficial for the catalytic activity. In Chapter V, isoprene polymerization catalyzed by iron complexes containing polyaromatic groups and non-covalently supported on nanoparticles and confined into the inner cavity of MWCNTs (Cat@NPs and Cat@NPs@MWCNTs) are investigated. Iron complexes show excellent activity for the isoprene polymerization and produced high glass temperature polyisoprene with a high trans-1,4-polyisoprene selectivity. Polymer nanocomposites are produced by supported catalysts and, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) evidenced efficient coating of the resulting polyisoprene around the oxygen sensitive iron nanoparticles.