Novel Ni(Ⅱ)-based acetyliminopyridine complexes 1b, 2b, 3b (1-3b), which are synthesized from ligands 1a, 2a, 3a (1-3a) and [NiCl2(DME)], are suitable precursors for the catalysts that are necessary for ethylene oligomerization and polymerization reactions, activated by methylaluminoxane (MAO).The MAO-treated 1-3b presents an active catalytic center, which may oligomerize and polymerize ethylene to produce linear α-olefins and polyethylene, respectively. The molecular weight distributions of oligomers that are obtained are in good agreement with the Schulz-Flory rules for oligomers＞C4. The activity of oligomers show significant reliance on the structures of catalyst precursors.