Abstract: A novel iron complex bearing single imino-pyridyl ligand was prepared. Ethylene oligomerization was carried out by using the complex as pre-catalyst and methyl aluminoxane (MAO) as co-catalyst. The effects of reaction temperature, pressure, n(Al)/n(Fe) molar ratio, iron complex concentration and reaction time on catalytic activity and product distribution were investigated. The results showed that the novel iron complex/MAO used in ethylene oligomerization had high catalytic activity and high selectivity toward low carbon linear α–olefin.