A series of 2-[1-(2,6-dibenzhydryl-4-chlorophenylimino)ethyl]-6-[1-(arylimino)ethyl]pyridine ligands (L1-L5) as well as the ligand 2,6-bis[1-(2,6-dibenzhydryl-4-chloro-phenylimino)ethyl]pyridine (L6) were synthesized and reacted with FeCl2 center dot 4H(2)O to afford the iron(II) dichloride complexes [LFeCl2] (Fe1-Fe6). All new compounds were fully characterized by elemental and spectroscopic analysis, and the molecular structures of the complexes Fe1, Fe2 and Fe4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, which revealed a pseudo-square-pyramidal geometry at iron. Upon activation with either MAO or MMAO, all iron pre-catalysts exhibited very high activity in ethylene polymerization with good thermal stability. To the best of our knowledge, the current system showed the highest activity amongst iron bis(imino)pyridine pre-catalysts reported to-date. The polymerization parameters were explored to determine the optimum conditions for catalytic activity, which were typically found to be 2500 eq. Al to Fe at 60 degrees C in the presence of MMAO, and 80 degrees C in the presence of MAO. The resultant polyethylene possessed a narrow molecular polydispersity index (PDI) consistent with the formation of single-site active species. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.