ABSTRACT:Vinyl-addition polymerization of norbornene was accomplished by two novel dinuclear diimine nickel dichloride complexes in combination with methylaluminoxane (MAO). The activities were moderate. The catalyst structure, Al/Ni molar ratio, solvents, and polymerization temperature all affected the catalytic activities. The obtained polynorbornenes were characterized by 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, FTIR, DSC, WAXD, and intrinsic viscosity measurements. The vinyl-addition polymers were amorphous but with a short-range order and high packing density. The polynorbornenes showed glass transition temperatures (T g ) above 240°C and decomposed above 400°C. The catalyst structure and polymerization conditions have effects on the molecular weight and the microstructure of the polymers. The nickel complex with bulkier substituents in the ligand produced polynorbornene with a higher packing density and higher regularity and, therefore, with higher T g .