A single-site olefin polymerization catalyst and method of making it are disclosed. The catalyst comprises an activator and an organometallic complex. The complex comprises a Group 3 to 10 transition or lanthanide metal, M, and at least one indenoindolyl ligand that is .pi.-bonded to M. The key ligand is made in two steps from readily available indanones and aryl hydrazines. Reaction of its anion with a source of the metal completes a remarkably simple synthetic route to a new family of single-site olefin polymerization catalysts.