Chiral cis-iron(ii) complexes with metal- and ligand-centered chirality for highly regio- and enantioselective alkylation of N-heteroaromatics

Iron-catalyzed highly regio- and enantioselective organic transformations with generality and broad substrate scope have profound applications in modern synthetic chemistry; an example is herein described based on cis-Fe^II complexes having metal- and ligand-centered chirality. The cis-β Fe^II(N₄) complex [Fe^II(L)(OTf)₂] (L = N,N′-bis(2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta-[b]quinoline-5-yl)-N,N′-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2-diamine) is an effective chiral catalyst for highly regio- and enantioselective alkylation of N-heteroaromatics with α,β-unsaturated 2-acyl imidazoles, including asymmetric N1, C2, C3 alkylations of a broad range of indoles (34 examples) and alkylation of pyrroles and anilines (14 examples), all with high product yields (up to 98%), high enantioselectivity (up to >99% ee) and high regioselectivity. DFT calculations revealed that the “chiral-at-metal” cis-β configuration of the iron complex and a secondary π–π interaction are responsible for the high enantioselectivity.

A cis-β Fe^II complex having metal- and ligand-centered chirality catalyzes highly regio- and enantioselective alkylation of indoles (at the N1, C2, or C3 position), pyrroles and anilines with α,β-unsaturated 2-acyl imidazoles (48 examples, up to 99% ee).     

Copolymerization of isoprene with ethylene catalyzed by cationic half‐sandwich fluorenyl scandium catalysts

Isoprene polymerization and copolymerization with ethylene can be carried out by using cationic half‐sandwich fluorenyl scandium catalysts in situ generated from half‐sandwich fluorenyl scandium dialkyl complexes Flu'Sc(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF)_n, activator, and AlⁱBu₃ under mild conditions. In the isoprene polymerization, all of these cationic half‐sandwich fluorenyl scandium catalysts exhibit high activities (up to 1.89 × 10⁷ g/mol_Sc h) and mainly cis?1,4 selectivities (up to 93%) under similar conditions. In contrast, these catalysts showed different activities and regio‐/stereoselectivities being significantly dependent on the substituents of the fluorenyl ligands in the copolymerization of isoprene with ethylene under an atmosphere of ethylene (1 atm) at room temperature, affording the random copolymers with a wide range of cis?1,4‐isoprene contents (IP content: 64 ? 97%, cis?1,4‐IP units: 65 ? 79%) or almost alternating copolymers containing mainly 3,4‐IP‐alt‐E or/and cis?1,4‐IP‐alt‐E sequences. Moreover, novel high performance polymers have been prepared via selective epoxidation of the vinyl groups of the 1,4‐isoprene units in the IP‐E copolymers. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2898–2907     

Sc(OTf)3-catalyzed one-pot ene-Prins cyclization: a novel synthesis of octahydro-2H-chromen-4-ols

(R)-Citronellal undergoes initial ene reaction followed by Prins cyclization with aldehydes in the presence of 5 mol % of scandium triflate at ambient temperature to furnish octahydro-2H-chromen-4-ols in good yields and with high cis-selectivity. The use of scandium triflate makes this procedure simple, more convenient, and practical.     

Specifics of luminescence of (benzoxazolyl)phenolate and (benzothiazolyl)naphtholate heterometallic Zn,Sc, Nd,Sm, Er,and Yb complexes

Heterometallic complexes Ln(L¹)₅Zn (Ln = Sc, Sm, Gd) were obtained by the reactions of silylamides Ln[N(SiMe)₂]₃ with 2-(benzoxazol-2-yl)phenol (HL¹) in the presence of diethylzinc. Similar reactions with 3-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-2-naphthol (HL²) led to the formation of complexes Ln(L²)₅Zn (Ln = Nd, Er, Gd, Yb). The introduction of the zinc-containing fragments provided a considerable increase of photo- and electroluminescence intensity of the scandium complex.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Assessment of the Antioxidant Activity of Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) Complexes Derived from Scorpionate Ligands

Seeking to enrich the yet less explored field of scorpionate complexes bearing antioxidant properties, we, here, report on the synthesis, characterization and assessment of the antioxidant activity of new complexes derived from three scorpionate ligands. The interaction between the scorpionate ligands thallium(I) hydrotris(5-methyl-indazolyl)borate (TlTp^4Bo,5Me), thallium(I) hydrotris(4,5-dihydro-2H-benzo[g]indazolyl)borate (TlTp^a) and potassium hydrotris(3-tert-butyl- pyrazolyl)borate (KTp^tBu), and metal(II) chlorides, in dichloromethane at room temperature, produced a new family of complexes having the stoichiometric formula [M(Tp^4Bo,5Me)₂] (M = Cu, 1; Zn, 4; Cd, 7), [M(Tp^a)₂] (M = Cu, 2; Zn, 5; Cd, 8), [Cu(Hpz^tBu)₃Cl₂] (3), [Zn(Tp^tBu)Cl] (6) and [Cd(Bp^tBu)(Hpz^tBu)Cl] (9). The obtained metal complexes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance and elemental analysis, highlighting the total and partial hydrolysis of the scorpionate ligand Tp^tBu during the synthesis of the Cu(II) complex 3 and the Cd(II) complex 9, respectively. An assessment of the antioxidant activity of the obtained metal complexes was performed through both enzymatic and non-enzymatic assays against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl- hydrazyl (DPPH^·), 2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS^+·), hydroxyl (HO^·), nitric oxide (NO^·), superoxide (O₂⁻) and peroxide (OOH^·) radicals. In particular, the complex [Cu(Tp^a)₂]⋅0.5H₂O (2) exhibited significant antioxidant activity, as good and specific activity against superoxide (O₂^−·), (IC50 values equal to 5.6 ± 0.2 μM) and might be identified as auspicious SOD-mimics (SOD = superoxide dismutase).     

Organophosphonate derivatives of titanium and niobium alkoxoanions

The organophosphonate-substituted alkoxides [Bu₄ⁿN]₂[{Ti(OMe)₃(O₃PPh)}₂] (1) and [Bu₄ⁿN]₂[{Nb(OMe)₃(O₃PPh)}₂(μ-O)] (2) have been prepared from [Bu₄ⁿN][PhPO₃H] and the metal alkoxides Ti(OMe)₄ or Nb(OMe)₅ respectively. In 1, the bridging phenylphosphonates occupy trans coordination sites, whereas in 2, a cis–bridging geometry is adopted.     

Synthesis and structure of stable cis-dimethyl complex of oxotungsten(VI)

Oxotungsten(VI) complex cis-[WO(L^tBu)Me₂] (L^tBu = methylamino-N,N-bis(2-methylene-4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenolate) dianion) was prepared by the transmetallation reaction of [WO(L^tBu)Cl₂] (either cis or trans isomer) with methyl magnesium iodide. This unexpectedly stable dialkyl complex can be activated by Et₂AlCl to catalyze the ring-opening metathesis polymerization of norbornene.     

Synthesis characterization and X-ray crystal structures of cis-1,4-diaminocyclohexane-platinum(II) nucleobase adducts

Platinum complexes of the type [Pt(cis-1,4-DACH)(L)₂]X, where cis-1,4-DACH = cis-1,4-diaminocyclohexane; L = adenine (ade) (1), hypoxanthine (hyp) (2), 9-methylguanine (9-megua) (3), cytosine (cyt) (4), or 1-methylcytosine (1-mecyt) (5); and X = SO₄ or Cl₂ groups, were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and by ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁹⁵Pt nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The crystals of [Pt(cis-1,4-DACH)(9-megua)₂]SO₄[9-megua-H]₂SO₄ (3) and [Pt(cis-1,4-DACH)(1-mecyt)₂]Cl₂ · 6H₂O (5) were also subjected to single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The base/PtN4 coordination plane dihedral angles were 74.55° and 85.61° in complex 3 and 78.12° and 81.80° in complex 5. The platinum had distorted square planar geometry in both complexes; the two adjacent corners were occupied by the two nitrogen atoms of cis-1,4-DACH, and the other two corners were occupied by the two N7 atoms of 9-megua in complex 3 and the two N3 atoms of 1-mecyt in complex 5. The cis-1,4-DACH, which has a unique twist-boat configuration, formed a seven-member chelating ring with platinum, which led to considerable strain during bidentate cis-1,4-DACH binding. Cations of both complexes 3 and 5 adopted C₂ molecular symmetry. These adducts were the models for the intrastand cross-links that were relevant to the binding of the Pt(II) antitumor drugs to DNA.     

Synthese und Eigenschaften von cis-Diacidophthalocyaninato(2–)thallaten(III); Kristallstruktur von Tetra(n-butyl)ammonium-cisdinitrito(O,O′)- und -cis-dichlorophthalocyaninato(2–)thallat(III)

Syntheses and Properties of cis -Diacidophthalocyaninato(2–)thallates(III); Crystal Structure of Tetra(n-butyl)ammonium cis -dinitrito(O,O ′)- and cis -dichlorophthalocyaninato(2–)thallate(III) Blue green cis-diacidophthalocyaninato(2–)thallate(III), ^cis[Tl(X)₂pc^2–]^– (X = Cl, ONO′, NCO) is prepared from iodophthalocyaninato(2–)thallium(III) and the corresponding tetra(n-butyl)ammonium salt, (ⁿBu₄N)X in dichloromethane, and isolated as (ⁿBu₄N)^cis[Tl(X)₂pc^2–]. (ⁿBu₄N)^cis[Tl(ONO′)₂pc^2–] ( 1 ) and (ⁿBu₄N)^cis[Tl(X)₂pc^2–] · 0,5 (C₂H₅)₂O ( 2 ) crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with cell parameters for 1: a = 14.496(2) Å, b = 17.293(5) Å, c = 18.293(2) Å, β = 98.76(1)° resp. for 2 : a = 13.146(1) Å, b = 14.204(5) Å, c = 24.900(3) Å, β = 93.88(1)°; Z = 4. In 1 , the octa-coordinated Tl atom is surrounded by four isoindole-N atoms (N_iso) and four O atoms of the bidental nitrito(O,O′) ligands in a distorted antiprism. The Tl–N_iso distances vary between 2.257(3) and 2.312(3) Å, the Tl–O distances between 2.408(3) and 2.562(3) Å. In 2 , the hexa-coordinated Tl atom ligates four N_iso atoms and two Cl atoms in a typical cis-arrangement. The average Tl–N_iso distance is 2.276 Å, the average Tl–Cl distance is 2.550 Å. In 1 and 2 , the Tl atom is directed out of the centre of the (N_iso)₄ plane (Ct_N) towards the acido ligands (d(Tl–Ct_N) = 1.144(1) Å in 1 , 1.116(2) Å in 2 ), and the phthalocyaninato ligand is concavely distorted. The vertical displacements of the periphereal C atoms amounts up to 0.82 Å. The optical and vibrational spectra as well as the electrochemical properties are discussed.     

Insertion Chemistry of Lutetacyclopropene toward Unsaturated C−O/C−N Bonds

Although the reaction chemistry of transition metallacyclopropenes has been well-established in the last decades, the reactivity of rare-earth metallacyclopropenes remains elusive. Herein, we report the reaction of lutetacyclopropene 1 toward a series of unsaturated molecules. The reaction of 1 with one equiv. of PhCOMe, Ar¹CHO (Ar¹=2,6-Me₂C₆H₃), W(CO)₆, and PhCH=NPh provided oxalutetacyclopentenes, metallacyclic lutetoxycarbene, and azalutetacyclopentene via 1,2-insertion of C=O, C≡O, or C=N bonds into Lu−C_sp2 bond, respectively. However, the reaction between 1 and Ar²N=C=NAr² (Ar²=4-MeC₆H₄) gave an acyclic lutetium complex with a diamidinate ligand by the coupling of one molecule of 1 with two carbodiimides, irrespective of the amount of carbodiimide employed. More interestingly, when 1 was treated with two equiv. of Ar¹CHO, the reductive coupling of two C=O bonds was discovered to give a lutetium pinacolate complex along with the release of tolan. Remarkably, the reactivity of 1 is significantly different from that of scandacyclopropenes; these metallacycles derived from 1 all represent the first cases in rare-earth organometallic chemistry.     

Synthesis and Characterization of N,N‐Di‐substituted Acylthiourea Copper(II) Complexes

A series of six N,N‐di‐substituted acylthiourea ArC(O)NHC(S)NRR′ ligands (denoted as HLⁿ) [Ar = 1‐Naph: NRR′ = NPh₂, HL¹ ( 1 ); N(iPr)Ph, HL² ( 2 ). Ar = Mes: NRR′ = NPh₂, HL⁴ ( 3 ); N(iPr)Ph, HL⁵ ( 4 ); NEt₂, HL⁶ ( 5 ). Ar = Ph: NRR′ = N(iPr)Ph, HL⁸ ( 6 )] were synthesized and characterized. These ligands were deprotonated to form Cu^II complexes through metathesis or combined redox reaction with copper halides. The structures of the complexes were investigated with single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The reaction of the 1‐naphthalene derivative HL¹ ( 1 ) with CuBr in the presence of sodium acetate produced cis‐CuL¹₂ ( 7 ), where the deprotonated ligand is bound to the Cu^II atom in a bidentate‐(O, S) coordination mode. Similarly treatment of HL² ( 2 ) with NaOAc and CuCl resulted in the formation of the cis‐arranged product [cis‐CuL²₂ ( 8 )]. The reaction of mesityl derivative HL⁴ ( 3 ) and CuBr with and without the addition of NaOAc gave the cis‐CuL⁴₂ ( 9 ) and cis‐(HL⁴)₂CuBr ( 10 ), respectively. In contrast, reaction of HL⁵ ( 4 ) and CuI in the presence of NaOAc resulted in trans‐CuL⁵₂ ( 11 ). Alternatively trans‐CuL⁶₂ ( 12 ) was obtained by the reaction of diethyl‐substituted HL⁶ ( 5 ) with CuCl₂ in the absence of a base.     

Intramolecular Metal⋅⋅⋅π‐Arene Interactions in Neutral and Cationic Main Group Compounds

The role of intramolecular metal???π‐arene interactions has been investigated in the solid‐state structures of a series of main group compounds supported by the bulky amide ligands, [N(^tBuAr^≠)(SiR₃)]^? (^tBuAr^≠=2,6‐(CHPh₂)₂‐4‐tBuC₆H₂, R=Me, Ph). The lithium and potassium amide salts showed different patterns of solvation and demonstrated that the SiPh₃ substituent is able to be involved in stabilizing the electrophilic metal. These group 1 metal compounds served as ligand transfer reagents to access a series of bismuth(III) halides. Chloride extraction from Bi(N{^tBuAr^≠}{SiPh₃})Cl₂ using AlCl₃ afforded the 1:1 salt [Bi(N{^tBuAr^≠}{SiPh₃})Cl][AlCl₄]. This was accompanied by a significant rearrangement of the stabilizing π‐arene contacts in the solid‐state. Attempted preparation of the corresponding tetraphenylborate salt resulted in phenyl‐transfer and generation of the neutral Bi(N{^tBuAr^≠}{SiPh₃})(Ph)Cl.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and biological activities of four novel tetranuclear di-organotin(IV) carboxylates

Four complexes: [Bu₂(L₁)SnOSn(L₁)Bu₂]₂ (1), [Bu₂(L₂)SnOSn(L₂)Bu₂]₂ (2), [Bu₂(L₃)SnOSn(L₃)Bu₂]₂ (3), and [Bu₂(L₄)SnOSn(L₄)Bu₂]₂ (4), (HL₁ = 2-(4-methylbenzoyl)benzoic acid, HL₂ = 2-(2,4-diethylbenzoyl)benzoic acid, HL₃ = 2-(4-chlorobenzoyl)benzoic acid, HL₄ = 2-(4-isopropylbenzoyl)benzoic acid) have been prepared and structurally characterized by means of elemental analysis and vibrational, ¹H NMR and FT-IR spectroscopies. The crystal structures of all complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Three distannoxane rings are present to the dimeric tetraorganodistannoxane of planar ladder arrangement. Each structure is centro-symmetric and features a central rhombus Sn₂O₂ unit with two additional tin atoms linked at the O atoms. Complex 1 exhibited good antibacterial and antitumor activities and have a potential to be used as drugs.     

Y,Lu, and Gd Complexes of NCO/NCS Pincer Ligands: Synthesis,Characterization, and Catalysis in the cis‐1,4‐Selective Polymerization of Isoprene

A series of NCO/NCS pincer precursors, 3‐(Ar²OCH₂)‐2‐Br‐(Ar¹N?CH)C₆H₃ ((^Ar1NCO^Ar2)Br, 3a , 3b , 3c , 3d ) and 3‐(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃SCH₂)‐2‐Br‐(Ar¹N?CH)C₆H₃ ((^Ar1NCS^Me)Br, 4a and 4b ) were synthesized and characterized. The reactions of [^Ar1NCO^Ar2]Br/ [^Ar1NCS^Me]Br with nBuLi and the subsequent addition of the rare‐earth‐metal chlorides afforded their corresponding rare‐earth‐metal–pincer complexes, that is, [(^Ar1NCO^Ar2)YCl₂(thf)₂] ( 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d ), [(^Ar1NCO^Ar2)LuCl₂(thf)₂] ( 6a , 6d ), [(^Ar1NCO^Ar2)GdCl₂(thf)₂] ( 7 ), [{(^Ar1NCS^Me)Y(μ‐Cl)}₂{(μ‐Cl)Li(thf)₂(μ‐Cl)}₂] ( 8 , 9 ), and [{(^Ar1NCS^Me)Gd(μ‐Cl)}₂{(μ‐Cl)Li(thf)₂(μ‐Cl)}₂] ( 10 , 11 ). These diamagnetic complexes were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and the molecular structures of compounds 5a , 6a , 7 , and 10 were well‐established by X‐ray diffraction analysis. In compounds 5a , 6a , and 7 , all of the metal centers adopted distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometries with the NCO donors and two oxygen atoms from the coordinated THF molecules in equatorial positions and the two chlorine atoms in apical positions. Complex 10 is a dimer in which the two equal moieties are linked by two chlorine atoms and two Cl? Li? Cl bridges. In each part, the gadolinium atom adopts a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometry. Activated with alkylaluminum and borate, the gadolinium and yttrium complexes showed various activities towards the polymerization of isoprene, thereby affording highly cis‐1,4‐selective polyisoprene, whilst the NCO? lutetium complexes were inert under the same conditions.     

Nickel(II) tetraaqua bis(benzoate) tris(phenylacethydrazide) complex [Ni(HL<Superscript>1</Superscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>](L<Superscript>2</Superscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> · 4H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O: Synthesis and crystal and molecular structure

The synthesis, IR and Raman spectroscopic study, and X-ray diffraction analysis of [Ni(HL¹)₃](L²)₂ · 4H₂O (I), where HL¹ is phenylacetic acid hydrazide and L² is the benzoate monoanion, have been performed. The structural units of a crystal of complex I are complex [Ni(HL¹)₃]²⁺ cations, (L²)^– anions, and crystallization water molecules. The nickel atom is coordinated to the three oxygen atoms at octahedron apices and the three nitrogen atoms of three bidentate chelate (О, N) ligands HL¹ in cis,trans-meredianal (fac) conformation. The structural units of a crystal of complex I are bonded by a branched network of О–Н···О and N–H···O hydrogen bonds.     

Six-coordinate uranium complexes featuring a bidentate anilide ligand

The synthesis of a new bidentate anilide ligand and four uranium amide complexes utilizing the ligand are reported. The secondary aniline HN[R]Ar_MeL (R = C(CD₃)₂CH₃, Ar_MeL = 2-NMe₂-5-MeC₆H₃) is prepared by condensation of H₂NAr_MeL and acetone-d₆ followed by alkylation of the resulting imine with MeLi. The ligand precursors (Et₂O)Li(N[R]Ar_MeL) and K(N[R]Ar_MeL) are prepared through deprotonation of HN[R]Ar_MeL with n-BuLi and KH, respectively. Treatment of UI₃(THF)₄ with (Et₂O)Li(N[R]Ar_MeL) (2 equiv) provides the uranium(III) -ate complex Li[I₂U(N[R]Ar_MeL)₂] (Li[1]), while treatment of UI₃ with three equiv. of K(N[R]Ar_MeL) provides the neutral uranium(III) complex U(N[R]Ar_MeL)₃ (2). Both uranium(III) complexes are susceptible to 1e oxidation, as is demonstrated by the syntheses of the uranium(IV) derivatives I₂U(N[R]Ar_MeL)₂ (1) and [U(N[R]Ar_MeL)₃][OTf] ([2][OTf]; OTf = CF₃SO₃). The spectroscopic and X-ray structural characterization of all four uranium complexes is described. The structures of 2 and [2][OTf] exhibit a large degree of steric pressure about the uranium center, effectively preventing the [2]⁺ ion from achieving a seven-coordinate structure.     

The stereochemistry of the dichlorocobalt(III) complexes with (2S,5S,9S)- and (2S,5R,9S)-trimethyltriethylenetetraamines

Dichlorocobalt(III) complexes of (2S,5S,9S)-trimethyltriethylenetetraamine (L₁) and (2S,5R,9S)-trimethyltriethylenetetraamine (L₂) have been prepared. Both L₁ and L₂ coordinate to the cobalt(III) ion to give three isomers: Λ-cis-α, Δ-cis-β, trans isomers for L₁ and Δ-cis-α, Δ-cis-β, trans isomers for L₂. Each of the trans-dichloro complexes of the two ligands have been isomerized stereospecifically to the cis-α-dichloro complex in methanol, and each of the cis-α-dichloro complexes stereospecifically to the trans-diaqua complex in water. Both the geometrical and optical inversions took place at the same time in the observed stereospecific isomerizations.     

Highly cis‐1,4 Selective Living Polymerization of Unmasked Polar 2‐(2‐Methylidenebut‐3‐enyl)Furan and Diels–Alder Addition

The polymerization of a new polar diene‐based monomer 2‐(2‐methylidenebut‐3‐enyl)furan (MBEF) without masking is achieved by using the bis(phosphino)carbazoleide‐ligated yttrium (Y) alkyl complex upon the activation of [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄]. Under mild conditions, the polymerizations under the monomer‐to‐Y ratios ranging from 100:1 to 500:1 perform fluently in high yields. The afforded polydienes bearing pendant terminal furan groups have high cis‐1,4‐regularity up to 98.6% and molecular weights close to the theoretic values and narrow polymer dispersity index(PDI) (1.13–1.17) suggesting a livingness polymerization mode. In addition, this novel polydiene is an excellent building block for preparing functional rubber materials. For example, via Diels–Alder addition of furan groups under mild conditions, hydroxyl groups are successfully introduced on the side chains efficiently in a 75% conversion. Furthermore, the copolymerization of polar MBEF and nonpolar isoprene is also successfully realized by the bis(phosphino) carbazoleide‐ligated scandium analog to access furan‐modified cis‐1,4 (>97%) polyisoprene with different MBEF contents (5.3%, 8.7%).     

A lutetium allyl complex that bears a pyridyl-functionalized cyclopentadienyl ligand: dual catalysis on highly syndiospecific and cis-1,4-selective (co)polymerizations of styrene and butadiene

A novel linked‐half‐sandwich lutetium–bis(allyl) complex [(C₅Me₄? C₅H₄N)Lu(η³‐C₃H₅)₂] ( 1 ) attached by a pyridyl‐functionalized cyclopentadienyl ligand was synthesized and fully characterized. Complex 1 in combination with [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] exhibited unprecedented dual catalysis with outstanding activities in highly syndiotactic (rrrr>99 %) styrene polymerization and distinguished cis‐1,4‐selective (99 %) butadiene polymerization, respectively. Strikingly, this catalyst system exhibited remarkable activity (396 kg copolymer (mol_Lu h)^?1) for the copolymerization of butadiene and styrene. Irrespective of whether the monomers were fed in concurrent mode or sequential addition of butadiene followed by styrene, diblock copolymers were obtained exclusively, which was confirmed by a kinetics investigation of monomer conversion of copolymerization with time. In the copolymers, the styrene incorporation rate varied from 4.7 to 85.4 mol %, whereas the polybutadiene (PBD) block was highly cis‐1,4‐regulated (95 %) and the polystyrene segment remained purely syndiotactic (rrrr>99 %). Correspondingly, the copolymers exhibited glass transition temperatures (T_g) around ?107 °C and melting points (T_m) around 268 °C; typical values for diblock microstructures. Such copolymers cannot be accessed by any other methods known to date. X‐ray powder diffraction analysis of these diblock copolymers showed that the crystallizable syndiotactic polystyrene (syn‐PS) block was in the toluene δ clathrate form. The AFM micrographs of diblock copolymer showed a remarkable phase‐separation morphology of the cis‐1,4‐PBD block and syn‐PS block. This represents the first example of a lutetium‐based catalyst showing both high activity and selectivity for the (co)polymerization of styrene and butadiene.     

Reactions of benzyldiphenylphosphine with Pd(II) sources on silica gel

Depending on the conditions used, reactions of benzyldiphenylphosphine (HL¹) with Na₂PdCl₄ on silica gel or with Pd(OAc)₂ on the same absorbent followed by treatment with LiCl provide one or more of the four compounds: the cyclopalladated binuclear complex [(μ-Cl)PdL¹]₂ (1), cis and trans isomers of the coordination complex PdCl₂(HL¹)₂ (3), the binuclear coordination complex [(μ-Cl)PdCl(HL¹)]₂ (4), and compound PdCl₂(HL¹)₃ (5). The 56% yield of complex 1 achieved using the reaction with Na₂PdCl₄ and NaOAc on SiO₂ is higher than that reported for the direct cyclopalladation of PBnPh₂ with Pd(OAc)₂ in AcOH. X-ray diffraction studies of the cyclopalladated dimer 1 and the coordination complex cis-3 are reported.