Ethylene polymerisation by Ni–diphosphine azine complexes

The properties of [NiX(PR₂CH₂C(Bu^t)?NN?C(Bu^t)CH₂PR₂)]⁺ complexes (where X = Br, and R = cyclohexyl (Cy), isopropyl (Prⁱ), tert‐butyl (Bu^t), phenyl (Ph); X = Cl or I, and R = cyclohexyl) as catalysts for the polymerisation of ethylene were evaluated with or without the co‐catalysts methylaluminoxane (MAO), diethylaluminium chloride, trimethylaluminium or tri(isobutyl)aluminium. Their efficiency depends on the characteristics of the halogen (X) and the R group of the diphosphine azine ligand. Bromide (X) strongly enhances the catalytic properties of the complexes within the R order Cy > Prⁱ > Ph > Bu^t. Temperature, co‐catalyst ratio (Al/Ni) and complex concentration also influence the catalytic activity. The best results were obtained with [NiBr{PCy₂CH₂C(Bu^t)?NN?C(Bu^t)CH₂PCy₂}]Br activated by MAO (A = 25.8 kg (mol Ni)^?1 bar^?1 h^?1). The polymers were characterised using NMR and differential scanning calorimetry as branched polyethylenes, the number of branches increasing with the temperature of polymerisation. The molecular weights of the polymers were estimated using NMR. A proposal for the catalyst active precursor is made on the basis of experimental data and molecular orbital calculations. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Reactivity of Lanthanide Complexes with Bulky Silylallyl Ligands

The synthesis of new lanthanide allyl complexes of enhanced stability and solubility in saturated hydrocarbons based on silyl-substituted allyl ligands is reported. Thus the potassium salt K(CH₂CHCHSiMe₃) ( 1 ) reacts with YCl₃ in tetrahydrofuran to give the tris-allyl complex Y(CH₂CHCHSiMe₃)₃ ( 2 ), while K(CH₂CHCHSiMe₂^tBu) ( 3 ) affords Y(CH₂CHCHSiMe₂^tBu)₃(THF)_1.5 ( 4 ). Slow re-crystallization of 4 from light petroleum in the presence of tert-butylcyanide led to multiple insertion to give the sec-amido complex Y{NHC(^tBu)(CH)₃SiMe₂^tBu}₂{η₂-NHC(^tBu)CH=CHCH₂SiMe₂^tBu)CH(CHCHSiMe₂^tBu)C^tBuNH}(THF)·(CH₃CH(Me)(CH₂)₂CH₃) ( 5 ), which was crystallographically characterized. The reaction of ScCl₃(THF)₃ with two equivalents of Li{1,3-C₃H₃(SiMe₃)₂} in tetrahydrofuran gives the bis-allyl complex {1,3-C₃H₃(SiMe₃)₂}₂Sc(μ-Cl)₂Li(THF)₂ ( 6 ), while the analogous reaction of K{1,3-C₃H₃(SiMe₃)₂} ( 7 ) with either LaCl₃ or YCl₃ in tetrahydrofuran affords the bis-allyl complexes MCl{1,3-C₃H₃(SiMe₃)₂}₂(THF)_x (8, M = La, x = 1; 9, M = Y, x = 0). An attempt to prepare the similar neodymium complex gave the mono-allyl complex NdI₂{1,3-C₃H₃(SiMe₃)₂}(THF)_1.25 ( 10 ). The reactions of 8 and 9 with triisobutyl aluminum in benzene-d₆ show allyl exchange between lanthanide and aluminum. Complexes 8 , 9 , and 10 have been tested with a variety of activator systems as catalysts for the polymerization of 1,3-butadiene.     

Homopolymerization of styrenic monomers and their copolymerization with ethylene using group 4 non-metallocene catalysts

Homopolymerization of styrenic monomers (St, p-Me-St, p-tBu-St, p-tBuO-St) and their copolymerization with ethylene, with the use of [(^tBu2O₂NN′)ZrCl]₂(μ-O) ( 1 ) and (^tBu2O₂NN′)TiCl₂ ( 2 ), where ^tBu2O₂NN′ = Me₂N(CH₂)₂N(CH₂-2-O⁻-3,5-tBu₂-C₆H₂)₂, is explored in the presence of MMAO and (iBu)₃Al/Ph₃CB(C₆F₅)₄. The ethylene/styrenic monomers copolymerization with 1 /MMAO produces exclusively copolymers with high activity and good comonomer incorporation whereas the other catalytic systems yield mixtures of copolymers and homopolymers. The use of p-alkyl styrene derivatives instead of styrene raises the catalytic activity, comonomer incorporation and molecular weights of the copolymers. Complex 2 exhibits higher activity in homopolymerization of styrenic monomers than 1 irrespective of the kind of the activator employed. A clear dependence is observed for the molecular weight and catalyst activity against the kind of the styrenic monomer. The obtained polymers were atactic and only the complex 2 , when activated by MMAO, promoted the highly syndiospecific polymerization of p-Me-St and p-tBu-St. Poly(p-tBuO-St) exhibits fiber-forming properties.     

Isobutylaluminum aryloxides as metallocene activators in Homo‐ and copolymerization of olefins

The article describes that sterically hindered isobutylaluminum aryloxides with bulky ^tBu substituents at 2,6‐ positions of aryl fragment, i.e. (2,6‐di‐^tBu,4‐R‐C₆H₂O)AlⁱBu₂ (R = H ( 1‐DTBP ), Me ( 1‐BHT ), ^tBu ( 1‐TTBP )) and (2,6‐di‐^tBu,4‐R‐C₆H₂O)₂AlⁱBu (R=H( 2‐DTBP ), Me( 2‐BHT )) can serve as cocatalysts for metallocene complexes. Isobutylaluminum aryloxides have been applied for activation of rac‐Et(2‐MeInd)₂ZrMe₂ in homopolymerization of ethylene, propylene, copolymerization of ethylene and propylene, and terpolymerization of ethylene, propylene, and 5‐ethylidene‐2‐norbornene at Al/Zr = 300 mol/mol. The type of R substituent at 4‐position has a significant effect on catalyst activity. The catalytic system with 1‐TTBP showed the highest activity in all homo‐ and copolymerization processes. Diisobutylaluminum aryloxides provide much higher activity to the systems in all polymerization processes and stronger ability for propylene incorporation in copolymer than diaryloxides. The activities of the systems with isobutylaluminum aryloxides are similar or exceed that of the system with MAO as activator as have shown for propylene polymerization. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43276.     

Tungsten and Molybdenum 2,4,6‐Trimethylbenzylidyne Complexes as Robust Pre‐Catalysts for Alkyne Metathesis

A series of 2,4,6‐trimethylbenzylidyne tungsten and molybdenum complexes was prepared from the tribromides mer‐[MesCMBr₃(dme)] ( 9a , M=W; 9b , M=Mo, dme=1,2‐dimethoxyethane). Successive reaction of complexes 9 with lithium or potassium hexafluoro‐tert‐butoxide and lithium 1,3‐di‐tert‐butylimidazolin‐2‐imide, (Im^t‐BuN)Li, afforded the imidazolin‐2‐iminato complexes [MesCM{OC(CF₃)₂Me}₂(Im^t‐BuN)] ( 10a , M=W; 10b , M=Mo), whereas the reactions of 9 with three equivalents of LiOSi(O‐t‐Bu)₃ or KOC(CF₃)₃ gave [MesCM{OSi(O‐t‐Bu)₃}₃] ( 11a , M=W; 11b , M=Mo) and [MesCM{OC(CF₃)₃}₃] ( 12a , M=W; 12b , M=Mo), respectively. For comparison, the benzylidyne complex [PhCMo{OSi(O‐t‐Bu)₃}₃] ( 7b ) was also prepared, and its molecular structure together with those of 10a , 10b , 11b , 12a and 12b were established by X‐ray diffraction analysis. Complexes 10 and 11 were employed as pre‐catalysts for the alkyne metathesis of the test substrate 3‐pentynyl benzyl ether ( 13 ) at low catalyst loadings (1 mol%) in the presence of molecular sieve (5 Å). Comparative studies of these 2,4,6‐trimethylbenzylidyne species (MesCM) with their benzylidyne analogues (PhCM) revealed that the increased steric bulk renders the former more stable and manageable in air in solid form for shorter periods of time, but at the expense of a slower initiation, which requires higher temperatures or longer reaction times.

     

Migratory insertion reaction in alkenyl ruthenium(II) complexes containing a trifluoroacetate ligand. X-ray structure of the Ru(η2- O2CCF3)(η1-OCCHCHtBu)(CO)(PPh3)2 complex

Reaction of compound Ru(O₂CCF₃)(CHCH^tBu)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ with CO gives the η¹-alkeneacyl complex Ru(O₂CCF₃)(OCCHCH^tBu)(CO)(PPh₃)₂, which is in equilibrium with the dicarbonyl Ru(O₂CCF₃)(CHCH^tBu)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ derivative in CH₂Cl₂ solution. The η¹-acyl form involves an η¹-coordination of the O₂CCF₃ ligand, whereas the dicarbonyl form contains the carboxylate ligand η²-coordinated to the metal. The same mixture of carbonylated compounds can be obtained from the reaction of Ru(CHCH^tBu)Cl(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ with Na[O₂CCF₃] in a CH₂Cl₂/MeOH solution. These reactions reveal the significance of ancillary bidentate ligands for the η-nature of the acyl–metal bond. The molecular structure of the complex Ru(O₂CCF₃)(OCCHCH^tBu)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ was established by X-ray diffraction study of a monocrystal obtained from a CH₂Cl₂/MeOH solution of the mixture of carbonylated compounds.     

The first complex of the pentameric phosphazane macrocycle [{P(μ-NtBu)}2(μ-NH)]5 with a neutral molecular guest: Synthesis and structure of [{P(μ-NtBu)}2(μ-NH)]5(CH2Cl2)2

The reaction of [{P(μ-N^tBu)}₂(μ-NH)}₅I]⁻[Li(thf)₄]⁺([1 · I]⁻[Li(thf)₄]⁺) with NaOMe in CH₂Cl₂ gives the title compound [{P(μ-N^tBu)}₂(μ-NH)]₅(CH₂Cl₂)₂ [1 · (CH₂Cl₂)₂] the first adduct containing this type of macrocyclic phosph(III)azane host and a neutral guest.     

Synergistic Solvent Extraction of Lanthanides(III) with Mixtures of 4-benzoyl-3-methyl-1-phenylpyrazol-5-one and Some Novel Carbamoyl- and Phosphorylmethoxymethylphosphine Oxides

The solvent extraction of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and Y from weak acidic hydrochloric acid solutions into an organic phase containing 4-benzoyl-3-methyl-1-phenylpyrazol-5-one (HP) and neutral tridentate organophosphorus ligands R₂P(O)CH₂OCH₂C(O)NBu₂ R = Bu (I), R = Ph (II) and R₂P(O)CH₂OCH₂P(O)R¹₂ R = R¹ = Bu (III); R = Bu, R¹ = Ph (IV); R = R¹ = Ph(V) has been studied. A considerable synergistic effect was observed in the presence of HP in the organic phase containing tetraoctyldiglycolamide (TODGA) and neutral organophosphorus ligands I - V. A successive replacement of C(O)NAlk₂ groups in the diglycolamide extractant molecule by P(O)Ph₂ groups leads to an increase in the extraction efficiency of Ln(III) ions when toluene was used as diluent. Phosphoryl-containing podand I possess a higher extraction efficiency towards Ln(III) ions than TODGA. The extraction equilibrium was investigated and the equilibrium constants were calculated. It was found that the lanthanide(III) ions are extracted as LnLP₃ and LnL₂P₃ complexes with mixtures of HP and I in toluene from weak acidic solutions.     

The Kinetic Stability of Cationic Benzyl Titanium Complexes that Contain a Linked Amido-Cyclopentadienyl Ligand: The Influence of the Amido-Substituent on the Ethylene Polymerization Activity of “Constrained Geometry Catalysts”

Cationic benzyl titanium complexes [Ti(η⁵: η¹-C₅Me₄SiMe₂NR')-(CH₂Ph)]⁺ were cleanly formed by the reaction of the dibenzyl titanium complexes [Ti(η⁵: η¹-C₅Me₄SiMe₂NR')(CH₂Ph)₂] with B(C₆F₅)₃ and [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] in bromobenzene. NMR spectroscopic studies suggest that the benzyl titanium cations contain a fluxional η²-coordinated benzyl ligand. Kinetic analysis showed that the benzyl titanium cations decompose according to first-order kinetics and that the amido substituents R' (R' = Me, ⁱPr, ^tBu) in the linked amido-cyclopentadienyl ligand influence the lability of these benzyl titanium cations. The order of the kinetic stability of the benzyl titanium cations was found for both anions to follow the order R' = Me > ⁱPr > ^tBu. The benzyl titanium cations generated with [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] were found to undergo faster decomposition than those generated with B(C₆F₅)₃. The ethylene polymerization activity order for both systems was found to be the reverse: R' = ^tBu > ⁱPr > Me. The decomposition of the benzyl titanium cations was suggested to occur via C—H activation with concomitant toluene elimination.     

Entry to alkynylplatinum(IV) chemistry using hypervalent iodine(III) reagents,and the synthesis of triphenyl{4,4′-bis(tert-butyl)-2,2′-bipyridine}iodoplatinum(IV)

The reaction of phenyl(alkynyl)iodine(III) triflates with diorganoplatinum(II) complexes provides a general route for the synthesis of a new class of alkynylplatinum(IV) complexes containing Pt^IVR₂(CCR²) groups, e.g., the 4,4^′-bis(tert-butyl)-2,2^′-bipyridine complexes PtIR₂(CCSiMe₃)(Bu^t₂bpy) (R=Me, Ph); IPh₂(OTf) reacts with PtPh₂(Bu^t₂bpy) to form the first archetypal triarylplatinum(IV) complex PtIPh₃(Bu^t₂bpy).     

Ionic liquid electrolytes based on multi-methoxyethyl substituted ammoniums and perfluorinated sulfonimides: Preparation, characterization, and properties

New functionalized ionic liquids (ILs), comprised of multi-methoxyethyl substituted quaternary ammonium cations (i.e. [N(CH₂CH₂OCH₃)_4−n(R)_n]⁺; n = 1, R = CH₃OCH₂CH₂; n = 1, R = CH₃, CH₂CH₃; n = 2, R = CH₃CH₂), and two representative perfluorinated sulfonimide anions (i.e. bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (FSI⁻) and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI⁻)), were prepared. Their fundamental properties, including phase transition, thermal stability, viscosity, density, specific conductivity and electrochemical window, were extensively characterized. These multi-ether functionalized ionic liquids exhibit good capability of dissolving lithium salts. Their binary electrolytes containing high concentration of the corresponding lithium salt ([Li⁺] >1.6 mol kg⁻¹) show Li⁺ ion transference number (tLi⁺) as high as 0.6-0.7. Their electrochemical stability allows Li deposition/stripping realized at room temperature. The desired properties of these multi-ether functionalized ionic liquids make them potential electrolytes for Li (or Li-ion) batteries.     

Aluminum,gallium and indium thiobenzoates: synthesis,characterization and crystal structures

Compounds R₂M[S(O)CPh] [where R?=?^tBu, M?=?Al (1); R?=?^tBu, M?=?Ga (2); R?=?Me, M?=?Ga (3)] have been synthesized in reactions of R₃M with thiobenzoic acid in a 1:1 molar ratio of reagents. The reaction of Me₃Ga with three equivalents of thiobenzoic acid yielded the compound Ga[S(O)CPh]₃ (4), in which thiobenzoate moieties act as bidentate SO ligands. In the presence of Et₃N, InCl₃ reacted with thiobenzoic acid with formation of an ionic compound {In[S(O)CPh]₄}^?(HNEt₃)⁺ (5). The thiobenzoate ligands are bonded with the metallic center via the sulfur atoms only. The compounds 4 and 5 have been structurally and thermally studied. The thermal decomposition pathways of compounds 4 and 5 are proposed.     

Synthesis, Spectroscopic Characterization and Structures of Tributyltin(IV) 4-[((E)-1-{2-hydroxy-5-[(E)-2-(aryl)-1-diazenyl]phenyl}methylidene)amino]benzoates. Toxicity Studies on the Second Larval Instar of the Anopheles stephensi Mosquito Larvae

A series of tributyltin(IV) complexes of 4-[((E)-1-{2-hydroxy-5-[(E)-2-(aryl)-1-diazenyl]phenyl}methylidene)amino]benzoates have been investigated by ¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR, IR and ¹¹⁹Sn M?ssbauer spectroscopic techniques in combination with elemental analyses. Single crystal X-ray crystallography of Bu₃Sn[O₂CC₆H₄{N=C(H)C₆H₃-2-OH(N=NC₆H₄CH₃-4)}-p] reveals a distorted tetrahedral structure which is further supported by ¹¹⁹Sn M?ssbauer data. Toxicity studies of the tributyltin(IV) complexes along with their ligands 4-[((E)-1-{2-hydroxy-5-[(E)-2-(aryl)-1-diazenyl]phenyl}methylidene)amino]benzoic acids on the second larval instar of the Anopheles stephensi mosquito larvae are also reported.     

Ethylene/1‐octadecene copolymerization using [η5:η1‐C5Me4‐4‐R1‐6‐R‐C6H2O]TiCl2 catalysts

Copolymerization of ethylene with 1‐octadecene was studied using [η⁵:η¹‐C₅Me₄‐4‐R₁‐6‐R‐C₆H₂O]TiCl₂ [R₁ = ^tBu (1), H (2, 3, 4); R = ^tBu (1, 2), Me (3), Ph (4)] as catalysts in the presence of Al(i‐Bu)₃ and [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄]. The effect of the concentration of comonomer in the feed and Al/Ti molar ratio on the catalytic activity and molecular weight of the resultant copolymer were investigated. The substituents on the phenyl ring of the ligand affect considerably both the catalytic activity and comonomer incorporation. The 1 /Al(i‐Bu)₃/[Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] catalyst system exhibits the highest catalytic activity and produces copolymers with the highest molecular weight, while the 2 /Al(i‐Bu)₃/[Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] catalyst system gives copolymers with the highest comonomer incorporation under similar conditions. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Extraction of lanthanides(III) from Perchlorate Solutions with Carbamoyl- and Phosphorylmethoxymethylphosphine Oxides and Tetrabutyldiglycolamide

The solvent extraction of Ln(III) ions from perchlorate aqueous solutions into an organic phase containing neutral polyfunctional organophosphorus ligands R₂P(O)CH₂OCH₂C(O)NBu₂ R = Bu (I), R = Ph (II) and R₂P(O)CH₂OCH₂P(O)R¹₂ R = R¹ = Bu (III); R = Bu, R¹ = Ph (IV); R = R¹ = Ph(V) has been studied. Their extraction behavior was compared with that of tetrabutyldiglycolamide (TBDGA), tetrabutylmethylenediphosphine dioxide (VI), P,P-dibutyl-P’P’-diphenylmethylenediphosphine dioxide (VII), tetraphenylmethylenediphosphine dioxide (VIII), dibutyl-N,N-dibutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (IX) and diphenyl-N,N-dibutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (X). The extraction equilibrium was investigated, and the equilibrium constants were calculated. It was found that the lanthanide(III) ions are extracted with the studied extractants from perchlorate solutions as LnL₃(ClO₄)₃ complexes. In the NaClO₄ media, TBDGA was found to possess a higher extraction efficiency towards Ln(III) ions than other neutral donor ligands studied. A successive replacement of the C(O)NBu₂ groups in the diglycolamide extractant molecule by phosphoryl ones leads to a decrease in the extraction efficiency of Ln(III) ions. In the NaClO₄ media, compounds II, IV and V with phenyl radicals at the P(O) group demonstrate a lower extraction efficiency towards Ln(III) ions than their butyl-substituted analogs. In contrast, phenyl-substituted diphosphine dioxides VIII, VII and carbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (X) extract Ln(III) ions more effectively than their butyl-substituted analogs VI and IX. The extraction of Ln(III) ions from HClO₄ solutions is accompanied by HClO₄ interaction with neutral donor extractants, which leads to a decrease of the free extractant concentration in the organic phase. By this reason, an increase in the HClO₄ concentration higher than 0.1 M is accompanied by a decrease of the Ln(III) extraction with TBDGA. In the 3 M HClO₄ system, diphosphine dioxide VIII outperforms TBDGA at the Ln(III) extraction.     

Substituierte Alkinyle als axiale Liganden an häminähnlich gebundenem Eisen(III) - Einordnung in eine spektrochemische Serie

Substituted Alkinyles as Axial Ligands at Hemine Like Bound Iron(III) - Incorporation into a Spectrochemical Series . Substituted lithium alkynyles Li CC R (R = ^tBu, Ph, p-Cl C₆H₄, Me₃Si, ⁱPr₃Si, Ph₃Si) react with the hemine like macrocyclic iron(III) complex 6,13-di(ethoxycarbonyl)-5, 14-dimethyl-1, 4, 8, 11-tetraazatetradeca-4,6,12,14-tetraenato[2⁻]iron(III)-iodide (formula 2 ;) in tetrahydrofuran to form anionic low-spin di-adducts [fe(CC R)₂]⁻. The incorporation of the alkynyles into a spectrochemical series of the axial ligands (studied by the sharp equatorial-ligand-to-metal CT absorption band) results in the wavelength-sequence (nm): OH⁻ (≈︁ 510) « N₃⁻ (≈︁ 625) < ^tBu CC⁻ (664) < NH₃ (666) < Ph CC⁻ (692) < Ph NH₂ (695) < Me₃Si CC⁻ (698) < SCN⁻ (713) < Ph₃Si C  C⁻ (716) < CN⁻ (739) < 4-picoline (759) < pyridine (765) < nicotinamide (776) < methylnicotinat (788) < pyrazine (798) and points to a significant π-acceptor ability of the silyl substituents.     

Developing a fulvene route to C1-bridged “constrained geometry” Ziegler catalyst systems

6-dimethylamino-6-methylfulvene (7) was converted to the [(C₅H₄)–CMe₂–NMe₂]⁻ ligand system (8) by treatment with methyllithium. Its reaction with MCl₄ (M = Zr, Ti) followed by treatment with CH₃Li gave the respective [(C₅H₄)–CMe₂–NMe₂]₂M(CH₃)₂ complexes (12). Their reaction with B(C₆F₅)₃ led to reactive metallocene cation complexes that instantaneously underwent CH activation at a N–CH₃ group to yield the metallacyclic cation complexes 15. (tert-butylaminomethyl)fluorene was prepared by the addition of tert-butylisocyanate to fluorenyllithium followed by hydride reduction. Deprotonation by a variety of bases gave rise to a series of competing and consecutive reactions to yield several unusually structured products, among them a fluorenyl-anellated η⁵-1-azapentadienyl anion equivalent (25) and [(flu)-CH₂–NCMe₃]Li₂ (23). An improved way of generating synthetically useful C₁-linked [Cp–C₁(R) _n –NR¹]^2- dianion equivalents was developed starting from 6-amino-6-methylfulvene (26). N-silylation followed by double deprotonation with, e.g., lithium diisopropylamide cleanly furnished the respective [(C₅H₄)–C(=CH₂)–NSiMe₃]^2- dianion 33 (isolated as the dilithio derivative). Its reaction with Cl₂Zr(NEt₂)₂ in THF gave [η⁵:κ-N-(C₅H₄)–C(=CH₂)–NSiMe₃]Zr(NEt₂)₂ 36. Activation of 36 with methylalumoxane in toluene led to the formation of a C₁-linked “constrained geometry” Ziegler catalyst that polymerized ethylene similarly as the [(C₅Me₄)SiMe₂NCMe₃]ZrCl₂ derived literature system. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthesis of pentavalent imidovanadium complexes and their catalyses for the polymerization of ethylene and propylene

Imidovanadium complexes with cyclopentadienyl (Cp) ligands—(Cp)V(?NC₆H₄Me‐4)Cl₂ (1), (Cp)V(?N^tBu)Cl₂ (2), and (^tBuCp)V(?N^tBu)Cl₂ (3; ^tBuCp = tert‐butylcyclopentadienyl)—were synthesized through the reaction of imidovanadium trichloride with (trimethylsilyl)cyclopentadiene derivatives. The molecular structure of 3 was determined by X‐ray crystallography. The monocyclopentadienyl complex 1 exhibited moderate activity in combination with methylaluminoxane [MAO; 10.3 kg of polyethylene (mol of V)^?1 h^?1 atm^?1], whereas similar complexes with bulky ^tBu groups, 2 and 3, were less active. (2‐Methyl‐8‐quinolinolato)imidovanadium complexes, V(?NR)(O ?N)Cl₂ (R = C₆H₃ⁱPr₂‐2,6 (4) or n‐hexyl (5), O ?N = 2‐methyl‐8‐quinolinolato), were obtained from the reaction of imidovanadium trichloride with 2‐methyl‐8‐quinolinol. Upon activation with modified MAO, complex 4 showed moderate activities for the polymerization of ethylene at room temperature. The complex 5/MAO system also exhibited moderate activity at 0°C. The polyethylenes obtained by these complexes had considerably high melting points, which indicated the formation of linear polyethylene. Moreover, the 5/dried MAO system showed propylene polymerization activities and produced polymers with considerably high molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 1008–1015, 2005     

A new imine ligand avoiding imine–enamine rearrangement and cyclometallation: Synthesis and coordination of Me3C6H2CH2NCHtBu

The new imine ligand (E)-2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂CH₂NCH^tBu (1) has been prepared from 2,4,6-trimethylbenzylamine and trimethylacetaldehyde. In this imine, the ortho-positions of the benzyl group are blocked by methyl groups, and there are no β-hydrogen atoms susceptible for imine–enamine rearrangement. Thus, reaction with [PdCl₂(C₆H₅CN)₂] leads to the complex trans-[PdCl₂(2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂CH₂NCH^tBu)₂] (2) that cannot undergo cyclopalladation. The single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of trans-[PdCl₂(2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂CH₂NCH^tBu)₂] (2) confirms the trans-coordination of the imine ligands in this square-planar complex.     

Control of both molecular weight and comonomer response of ethylene polymerization via utilization of alkyl branches at the para-xylene bridge of new dinuclear constrained geometry catalysts

We synthesized a series of four dinuclear constrained geometry catalysts (DCGCs) containing alkyl-substituted para-xylene bridges [TiCl₂{N(^tBu)Si(Me)₂}C₉H₅]₂[(CH₂){(R)₂C₆H₂}(CH₂)]: 13 (R = hydrogen), 14 (R = isopropyl), 15 (R = n-hexyl), and 16 (R = n-octyl). The structures and compositions of the synthesized complexes were conveniently identified by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and elemental analysis (EA). In order to determine the effect of steric and electronic properties of various alkyl branches on the xylene group, ethylene homo and copolymerization experiments by use of these metallocenes have been conducted. Dow CGC ([Me₂Si (μ⁵-Me₄Cp)N^tBu]TiCl₂) has been used as the control catalyst for comparison. It was found that the activity of Catalyst 13 was highest and the activities of the new DCGCs were much higher than that of Dow CGC. Polyethylene having more than 1,000,000 g/mol of molecular weight that may be classified as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been able to be successfully produced from the new DCGCs. Most importantly it was demonstrated that the control of polymerization properties of DCGCs was determined by the nature of the alkyl substituent at para-xylene bridge. Catalyst 14 having isopropyl substituent at the bridge produced the longest polymer with the lowest catalytic activity. On the other hand, DCGCs 15 and 16 exhibited the greatest comonomer reactivity to make ethylene/styrene copolymers with the highest styrene contents.