Polymerizations of 1,3-dienes using in situ generated catalyst [(2-methallyl)Ni][B(Ar F ) 4 ], 6, (Ar F ¼ 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) as well as [(2-methallyl)Ni(mes)][B(Ar F ) 4 ], 14, (mes ¼ mesitylene) are reported. Highly sensitive complex 6 polymerizes butadiene (BD) at -30 C to yield polybutadiene with a M n of ca. 10 K and 94% cis-1,4-enchainment while less reactive isoprene (IP) was polymerized at 23 C to yield polyisoprene with M n ca. 7 K. Complex 6 was also shown to polymerize a functionalized diene, 2,3-bis(4-trifluoroethoxy-4oxobutyl)-1,3-BD, to polymer with M n ¼ 113 K. The stable and readily isolated arene complex 14 initiates BD and IP polymerizations at somewhat higher temperatures relative to 6 and delivers polymers with higher molecular weights. Complex [(allyl)Ni(mes)][B(Ar F ) 4 ], 13, catalyzes polymerization of styrene to yield polystyrene with high conversion, M n 's ¼ ca. 6 K and MWD ¼ 2. The p-benzyl complex [(g 3 -1-methylbenzyl)Ni(mes)] [B(Ar F ) 4 ], 19, was detected as an intermediate following chain transfer by in situ NMR studies.