Synthesis and Characterization of Dinuclear Aluminum Complexes Bearing N,N-Dialkylaniline-amido Ligands and Its Catalytic Properties for Lactone Polymerization

Two ligands [ortho-C6H4NR2（CH2NH）]2CH2CH2（3： R=Me; 4： R=EO were prepared by the reduction of preligands [ortho-C6H4NR2（CH=N）]zCH2CH2（1： R=Me; 2： R=Et）. These ligands reacted with AIMe3 to afford the corresponding dinuclear aluminum complexes {A1Me2[ortho-C6H4NR2（CH2N）]}2CHzCH2（5： R=Me; 6： R=Et）. All the compounds were characterized by 1H and UC nuclear magnetic resonance（NMR） spectroscopies and elemental analyses. The catalytic properties of the aluminum complexes towards the ring-opening polymerization of lactones were investi- gated in the presence of benzvl alcohol. All the oolvmerization reactions were proceeded in a controlled manner.     

Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Activity of Diorganotin（IV） Complexes of N-（3,5-Dibromosalicylidene）-α-amino Acid

The diorganotin（Ⅳ） complexes of N-（3,5-dibromosalicylidene）-α-amino acid, R2Sn（2-O-3,5-Br2C6H2CH= NCHRCOO）（where R=H, Me, i-Pr, Bz; R＇=n-Bu, Cy）, were synthesized by the reactions of diorganotin dichlorides with in situ formed potassium salt of N-（3,5-dibromosalicylidene）-α-amino acid and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR （^1H, ^13C and ^119Sn） spectra. The crystal structures of n-Bu2Sn（2-O-3,5-Br2C6H2CH= NCHRCOO）（R=i-Pr, Bz） and Cy2Sn（2-O-3,5-Br2C6H2CH=NCHRCOO）（R=Me, Bz） were determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction and showed that the tin atoms are in a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry to form five- and six-membered chelate rings with the tridentate ligand. Bioassay results indicated that the compounds possess better in vitro antitumour activity against three human tumour cell lines, HeLa, CoLo205 and MCF-7, than cis-platin and moderate anti-bacterial activity against two bacteria, E. coli and S. aureus.     

New Half-sandwich Zirconium（IV） Complexes Containing Salicylaldimine Ligands： Synthesis,Characterizations and Catalytic Properties

Two new half-sandwich zirconium（IV） complexes bearing salicylaldimine ligands of the type Cp＊Zr[2-tBu-4-R-6-（CH=NiPr）C6H2O]C12[R=H（1）, tBu（2）] were prepared by the reaction of Cp＊ZrC13 with the corresponding lithium of salicylaldimine ligands 2-tBu-4-R-6-（CH=NiPr）C6H2OLi[R=H（LiLa）, tBu（LiLb）]. Com- plexes 1 and 2 were characterized by 1H NMR, BC NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. When activated with AliBu3 and Ph3CB（C6F5）4, both complexes 1 and 2 exhibited reasonable catalytic activities for ethylene polymeriza- tion, producing polyethylenes with moderate molecular weight. Complexes 1 and 2 also exhibited reasonable catalyt- ic activities for ethylene copolymerization with 1-hexene, producing poly（ethylene-co-l-hexene）s with moderate molecular weight and reasonable 1-hexene content.     

Syntheses of Some New Group 4 non-Cp Complexes Bearing Schiff-base, Thiophene Diamide Ligands Respectively and Their Catalytic Activities for a-Olefin Polymerization

Totally sixteen new titanium and zirconium non-Cp complexes supported by Schiff-base, or thiophene diamide ligands have been synthesized. The complexes are obtained by the reaction of M(OPr-i)4(M=Ti,Zr) with the corresponding Schiff-base ligand in 1:1 molar ratio in good yield. The thiophene diamide titanium complex has been prepared from trimethylsilyl amine [N,S,N] ligand and TiCl4 in toluene at 120℃. All complexes are well charac-terized by ^1H NMR, IR, MS and elemental analysis. When activated by excess methylaluminoxane (MAO), complexes show moderate catalytic activity for ethylene polymerization, and complex If (R^1=CH3,R^2=Br) exhibits the highest activity for ethylene and styrene polymerization. When the complexes were preactivated by triethylaluminum (TEA), both polymerization activities and syndiotacticity of the polymers were greatly improved.     

Synthesis,reactivity and electrochemical properties of substituted cyclopentadienyl cobalt (Ⅲ) complexes

Cyclopentadienyl cobalt complexes (n5-C5H4R)CoLI2 [L = CO,R=-COOCH2CH=CH2 (3); L=PPh3,R=-COOCH2-CH=CH2 (6); L= P(p-C6H4CH3)3,R=-COOC(CH3) = CH2 (7),-COOCH2C6H5(8),-COOCH2CH = CH2 (9)] were prepared and characterized by elemental analyses,1H NMR,IR and UV-vis spectra.The reaction of complexes (n5-C5H4R)CoLI2[L=CO,R=-COOC(CH3)=CH2 (1) ,-COOCH2C6H5(2):L=PPh3,R =-COOC(CH3)=CH2 (4),-COOCH2C6H5(5)] with Na-Hg resulted in the formation of their corresponding substituted cobaltocene (n5-C5H4R)2Co [R= -COOC(CH3) = CH2 (10),-COOCH2C6H5 (11) ].The electrochemical properties of these complexes 1-11 were studied by cyclic voltammetry.It was found that as the ligand (L) of the cobalt (Ⅲ) complexes changing from CO to PPh3 and P(p-tolyl)3,their oxidation potentials increased gradually.The cyclic voltammetry of α,α'-substituted cobaltocene showed reversible oxidation of one electron pro-     

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Alkali Metal Guanidinates

Reactions of 1,3-diisopropylcarbodiimide with alkali metal amides, MN（SiMe3）2 （M=Li or Na） in hexane or THF produced the alkali metal guanidinates { （i-PrN）2C [N（SiMe3）2]Li }2 （1） and { （i-PrN）2C[N（SiMe3）2]Na（THF） } 2 （2） in nearly quantitative yields. Both complexes 1 and 2 were well characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, ^1H and ^13C NMR spectra, and X-ray diffraction. It was found that the guanidinates adopt different coordination modes in these complexes.     

Solvothermal Syntheses,Crystal Structures,Thermal Stability and Quantum Chemistry of Dinuclear Trialkyltin Complexes Constructed by Camphoric Acid

Two dinuclear organotin complexes C8H14(CO2SnCy3)2(1)(Cy = cyclohexyl group) and C8H14[CO2Sn(CH2CMe2Ph)3]2(2) were synthesized by the reactions of camphoric acid with tricyclohexyltin hydroxide and bis[tri(2-methyl-2-phenyl)propyltin] oxide under solvothermal conditions, and these complexes were characterized by infrared spectra, elemental analyses, and H NMR spectra. The crystal of 1 belongs to the monoclinic system, space group P21/c with a = 1.83478(19), b = 1.52707(18), c = 1.9849(2) nm, β = 122.515(7), Z = 4, V = 4.6896(9) nm3, Dc = 1.324 g/cm3, μ(MoKα) = 1.103 mm-1, F(000) = 1952, R = 0.0697 and wR = 0.2040. In addition, thermal stability and quantum chemical calculation of 1 were also studied.     

Cleavage of the Fe—Fe Bond of （Me2SiSiMe2） [η^5－C5H4Fe（CO）2]2 with Na／Hg and Molecular Structure of the Ring－Opened Complex

The reaction of the rifle cyclic complex (1) with sodium amalgam in THF resulted in the expected cleavage of the Fe-Fe bond to afford his-sodium salt ( Me2SiSiMe2 ) [η^5-C5H4Fe(CO)2]2 (4). The latter was not isolated and was used directly to react with MeI, PhCH2Cl, CH3C(O)Cl, PhC(O)Cl,Cy3SnCl (Cy= cyclohexyl) or Ph3SnCl to afford corresponding ring-opened derivatives (Me2SiSiMe2) [η^5-C5H4Fe(CO)2]2 [5, R=Me; 6, R=PhCH2; 7, R=CH3C(O); 8, R=PhC(O); 9, R = Cy3Sn or 10, R = Ph3Sn ]. The crystal and molecular structures of 10 were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The molecule took the desired ant/ conformation around the Si-Si bond. The length of the Si--Si bond is 0.2343(3)nm, which is essentially identical to that in the cyclic structure of 1[0.2346(4) tun]. This result unambiguously demonstrates that the Si--Si bond in the cyclic structure of 1 is not subject to obvious strain.     

Copolymerization of Ethylene with lO-Undecen-l-ol Using Highly Active Vanadium（III） Precatalysts Bearing Bis（imino）pyrrolyl Ligands

The copolymerizations of ethylene with 10-undecen-1-ol have been investigated using vanadium precatalysts, bis（imino）pyrrolyl vanadium（Ⅲ） complexes 1-3, 2,5-C4H2N（CH=NR）2VCl2（THF）2 [R = C6H5 （1）, 2,6-iPr2C6H3 （2）, C6F5 （3）], and the iminopyrrolyl and b-diketiminate ones for comparison. The polar monomer was pretreated by diethylaluminium chloride （present also as the cocatalyst） before the copolymerization. The monomer reactivity ratios were evaluated using the Fineman-Ross method. The ligand structure considerably influenced the catalytic activity and tolerance towards the polar monomer, the polar monomer incorporation and the molecular weights of the resultant copolymers. The bis（imino）pyrrolyl vanadium complexes exhibited promising catalytic performance for the copolymerization, and a high catalytic activity up to 3.84 kg/mmolv·h with a high comonomer incorporation of 14.0 mol% was achieved by complex 3 under mild conditions.     

Rare-earth metal amido complexes supported by bridged bis(β-diketiminato) ligand as efficient catalysts for hydrophosphonylation of aldehydes and ketones

A series of rare-earth metal amides supported by a cyclohexyl-linked bis(β-diketiminato) ligand were synthesized,and their catalytic activities for hydrophosphonylation of aldehydes and ketones were developed.Reaction of [(Me3Si)2N]3 RE(Cl)Li(THF)3 with the cyclohexyl-linked bis(-diketimine) H2L(1)(L=Cy[NC(Me)CHC(Me)NAr]2,Cy = cyclohexyl,Ar=2,6-i-Pr2C6H3) gave the rare-earth metal amides LREN(SiMe3)2(RE = Nd(2),Sm(3),Dy(4),Er(5),Y(6)).All complexes were fully characterized by elemental,spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray analyses.Investigation of the catalytic properties of the complexes reveals that these complexes exhibited a high catalytic activity towards the hydrophosphonylation of aldehydes and ketones in the presence of a very low loading of rare-earth metal amides(0.1-1 mol%) at room temperature in a short time.     

Structural Investigation of New Lithium Amidinates and Guanidinates

A series of potentially useful lithium amidinates and guanidinates were prepared and fully characterized. Treatment of N,N′‐diisopropylcarbodiimide with phenyllithium in diethyl ether afforded the lithium amidinate [PhC(NiPr)₂Li(OEt₂)]₂ ( 1 ). Similar treatment of N,N′‐diorganocarbodiimides R′–N=C=N–R′ [R′ = iPr, cyclohexyl (Cy)] with secondary lithium amides LiNR₂ [R₂ = Et₂, iPr₂, (CH₂)₄] followed by crystallization from THF or 1,4‐dioxane gave the lithium guanidinates [R₂NC(NR′)₂Li(S)]₂ [ 2 : R = Et, R′ = iPr, S = THF; 3 : R₂ = (CH₂)₄, R′ = iPr, S = THF; 4 : R = R′ = iPr, S = ½ 1,4‐dioxane; 5 : R₂ = (CH₂)₄, R′ = Cy, S = 1,4‐dioxane] as crystalline solids. Reaction of N‐lithioaziridine with the corresponding carbodiimides afforded solvent‐deficient [{C₂H₄NC(NiPr₂)₂}₂Li₂(THF)]₂ ( 6 ), and [C₂H₄NC(NEt)(NtBu)Li(THF)]₂ ( 7 ). Crystal structure determination revealed the presence of common ladder‐type dimeric structures for 1 – 5 . Compound 6 exists as a dimer of two ladder‐type dimers in the crystal, and 7 exhibits an unusual dimeric structure comprising an eight‐membered C₂N₄Li₂ ring.     

Bis(arylimido) Molybdenum(VI) Amidinate and Guanidinate Complexes; Molecular Structures of [(ArN)2MoMe{N(Cy)C[N(i‐Pr)2]N(Cy)}] (Ar = 2,6‐i‐Pr2C6H3; Cy = Cyclohexyl) and [(2,6‐i‐Pr2C6H3N)2MoCl2] · [NH=C(C6H5)CH(SiMe3)2]

The reaction of [(ArN)₂MoCl₂] · DME (Ar = 2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃) ( 1 ) with lithium amidinates or guanidinates resulted in molybdenum(VI) complexes [(ArN)₂MoCl{N(R¹)C(R²)N(R¹)}] (R¹ = Cy (cyclohexyl), R² = Me ( 2 ); R¹ = Cy, R² = N(i‐Pr)₂ ( 3 ); R¹ = Cy, R² = N(SiMe₃)₂ ( 4 ); R¹ = SiMe₃, R² = C₆H₅ ( 5 )) with five coordinated molybdenum atoms. Methylation of these compounds was exemplified by the reactions of 2 and 3 with MeLi affording the corresponding methylates [(ArN)₂MoMe{N(R¹)C(R²)N(R¹)}] (R¹ = Cy, R² = Me ( 6 ); R¹ = Cy, R² = N(i‐Pr)₂ ( 7 )). The analogous reaction of 1 with bulky [N(SiMe₃)C(C₆H₅)C(SiMe₃)₂]Li · THF did not give the corresponding metathesis product, but a Schiff base adduct [(ArN)₂MoCl₂] · [NH=C(C₆H₅)CH(SiMe₃)₂] ( 8 ) in low yield. The molecular structures of 7 and 8 are established by the X‐ray single crystal structural analysis.     

Syntheses and X‐Ray Structures of Zinc Amidinate Complexes

Reactions of ZnX₂ (X = Cl, Br) with equimolar amounts of Li[t‐BuC(NR)₂] (R = i‐Pr, Cy) yielded mono‐amidinate complexes [{t‐BuC(NR)₂}ZnX]₂ (X = Cl, R = i‐Pr 1 , Cy 2 ; X = Br, R = i‐Pr 3 , Cy 4 ), whereas reactions with two equivalents of Li‐amidinate resulted in the formation of the corresponding bis‐amidinate complexes [t‐BuC(NR)₂]₂Zn (R = i‐Pr 5 , Cy 6 ). 1 ‐ 6 were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, mass and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C), and single crystal X‐ray analysis ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 6 ). In addition, the single crystal X‐ray structure of [t‐BuC(NCy)₂]ZnBr·LiBr(OEt₂)₂ 7 , which was obtained as a byproduct in low yield from re‐crystallization experiments of 4 in Et₂O, is reported.     

Synthesis and Complexation Study of New Aminoalkynyl−amidinate Ligands

The current library of amidinate ligands has been extended by the synthesis of two novel dimethylamino-substituted alkynylamidinate anions of the composition [Me₂N−CH₂−C≡C−C(NR)₂]⁻ (R = ⁱPr, cyclohexyl (Cy)). The unsolvated lithium derivatives Li[Me₂N−CH₂−C≡C−C(NR)₂] ( 1 : R = ⁱPr, 2 : R = Cy) were obtained in good yields by treatment of in situ-prepared Me₂N−CH₂−C≡C−Li with the respective carbodiimides, R−N=C=N−R. Recrystallization of 1 and 2 from THF afforded the crystalline THF adducts Li[Me₂N−CH₂−C≡C−C(NR)₂] ⋅ nTHF ( 1 a : R = ⁱPr, n=1; 2 a : R = Cy, n=1.5). Precursor 2 was subsequently used to study initial complexation reactions with selected di- and trivalent transition metals. The dark red homoleptic vanadium(III) tris(alkynylamidinate) complex V[Me₂N−CH₂−C≡C−C(NCy)₂]₃ ( 3 ) was prepared by reaction of VCl₃(THF)₃ with 3 equiv. of 2 (75 % yield). A salt-metathesis reaction of 2 with anhydrous FeCl₂ in a molar ratio of 2 : 1 afforded the dinuclear homoleptic iron(II) alkynylamidinate complex Fe₂[Me₂N−CH₂−C≡C−C(NCy)₂]₄ ( 4 ) in 69 % isolated yield. Similarly, treatment of Mo₂(OAc)₄ with 3 or 4 equiv. of 2 provided the dinuclear, heteroleptic molybdenum(II) amidinate complex Mo₂(OAc)[Me₂N−CH₂−C≡C−C(NCy)₂]₃ ( 5 ; yellow crystals, 50 % isolated yield). The cyclohexyl-substituted title compounds 2 a , 4 , and 5 were structurally characterized through single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Facile Synthetic Access to Rhenium(II) Complexes: Activation of Carbon–Bromine Bonds by Single‐Electron Transfer

The five‐coordinated Re^I hydride complexes [Re(Br)(H)(NO)(PR₃)₂] (R=Cy 1 a , iPr 1 b ) were reacted with benzylbromide, thereby affording the 17‐electron mononuclear Re^II hydride complexes [Re(Br)₂(H)(NO)(PR₃)₂] (R=Cy 3 a , iPr 3 b ), which were characterized by EPR, cyclic voltammetry, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. In the case of dibromomethane or bromoform, the reaction of 1 afforded Re^II hydrides 3 in addition to Re^I carbene hydrides [Re(?CHR¹)(Br)(H)(NO)(PR₃)₂] (R¹=H 4 , Br 5 ; R=Cy a , iPr b ) in which the hydride ligand is positioned cis to the carbene ligand. For comparison, the dihydrogen Re^I dibromide complexes [Re(Br)₂(NO)(PR₃)₂(η²‐H₂)] (R=Cy 2 a , iPr 2 b ) were reacted with allyl‐ or benzylbromide, thereby affording the monophosphine Re^II complex salts [R₃PCH₂R′][Re(Br)₄(NO)(PR₃)] (R′=? CH?CH₂ 6 , Ph 7 ). The reduction of Re^II complexes has also been examined. Complex 3 a or 3 b can be reduced by zinc to afford 1 a or 1 b in high yield. Under catalytic conditions, this reaction enables homocoupling of benzylbromide (turnover frequency (TOF): 3 a 150, 3 b 134 h^?1) or allylbromide (TOF: 3 a 575, 3 b 562 h^?1). The reaction of 6 a and 6 b with zinc in acetonitrile affords in good yields the monophosphine Re^I complexes [Re(Br)₂(NO)(MeCN)₂(PR₃)] (R=Cy 8 a , iPr 8 b ), which showed high catalytic activity toward highly selective dehydrogenative silylation of styrenes (maximum TOF of 61 h^?1). Single‐electron transfer (SET) mechanisms were proposed for all these transformations. The molecular structures of 3 a , 6 a , 6 b , 7 a , 7 b , and 8 a were established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies.     

Homoleptic lanthanide guanidinate complexes: The effective initiators for the polymerization of trimethylene carbonate and its copolymerization with ε‐caprolactone

The ring‐opening polymerization of trimethylene carbonate (TMC) using homoleptic lanthanide guanidinate complexes [RNC(NR′₂)NR]₃Ln as single component initiators has been fully investigated for the first time. The substituents on guanidinate ligands and center metals show great effect on the catalytic activities of these complexes, that is, ? N(CH₂)₅ > ? NⁱPr₂ > ? NPh₂ (for R′), ? Cy > ? ⁱPr (for R), and Yb > Sm > Nd. Among them, [Ph₂NC(NCy)₂]₃Yb shows the highest catalytic activity. Some features and kinetic behaviors of the TMC polymerization initiated by [Ph₂NC(NCy)₂]₃Yb were studied in detail. The polymerization rate is first order, with the monomer concentration and M_n of the polymer increasing with the polymer yield increasing linearly. The results indicated the present system having “living character.” A mechanism that the polymerization occurs via acyl‐oxygen bond cleavage rather than alkyl‐oxygen bond cleavage was proposed. The copolymerization of TMC with ?‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) initiated by [Ph₂NC(NCy)₂]₃Yb was also tested. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1778–1786, 2005     

Double stereoselective coordination of chiral N,S ligands: Synthesis,coordination chemistry and utilization in Pd‐catalyzed allylic alkylation

A series of chiral pentane‐2,4‐diyl‐based thioether‐amine ligands [ 4 and 5 ; (R,S)‐ and (S,S)‐R¹SCH(CH₃)CH₂CH(CH₃)NHR², respectively, where 4a R¹ = iPr, R² = Ph; 4b R¹ = tBu, R² = Ph; 4c R¹ = 1‐Ad, R² = Ph; 5a R¹ = iPr, R² = Ph; 5b R¹ = tBu, R² = Ph; 5c R¹ = 1‐Ad, R² = Ph; 5d R¹ = iPr, R² = 4‐MeOC₆H₄; 5e R¹ = iPr, R² = 4‐MeC₆H₄; 5f R¹ = iPr, R² = 3,5‐Me₂C₆H₃] with stereogenic S‐ and N‐donor atoms has been prepared starting from cyclic sulfates via optically pure γ‐aminoalcohol or 2,4‐dimethylazetidine intermediates. The synthesis of the novel diastereomerically related ligand sets 4 and 5 was accomplished starting from the same source of chirality. The modular ligand structure and the novel synthetic strategies developed for their synthesis allowed the easy modification of the ligands’ (i) S‐ and (ii) N‐substituents, as well as (iii) the relative stereochemistry within the ligand backbone. Six‐membered [Pd(N,S)Cl₂]‐type chelate complexes of the diastereomerically related ligands 4a and 5a were synthesized and characterized by X‐ray crystallography in the solid phase, by density functional theory calculations and in solution by NMR spectroscopy. The coordination of 5a resulted in the formation of a single chair conformation by the stereospecific locking of both stereolabile (N and S) donor atoms. In contrast, compound 4a forms rapidly equilibrating palladium species due to the fast inversion of the sulfur donor. Ligands with stereochemically fixed donor atoms provided robust and efficient catalytic systems that can be effectively applied in alkylene carbonates as green reaction media. Remarkably, the phosphine‐free catalysts are air‐stable, and at room temperature in the presence of moisture gave excellent ee’s (up to 93%) in asymmetric allylation processes thanks to the double stereoselective coordination.     

Functionalization of Pentaphosphorus Cations by Complexation

The chemistry of polyphosphorus cations has rapidly developed in recent years, but their coordination behavior has remained mostly unexplored. Herein, we describe the reactivity of [P₅R₂]⁺ cations with cyclopentadienyl metal complexes. The reaction of [Cp^ArFe(μ‐Br)]₂ (Cp^Ar=C₅(C₆H₄‐4‐Et)₅) with [P₅R₂][GaCl₄] (R=iPr and 2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂ (Mes)) afforded bicyclo[1.1.0]pentaphosphanes ( 1‐R , R=iPr and Mes), showing an unsymmetric “butterfly” structure. The same products 1‐R were formed from K[Cp^Ar] and [P₅R₂][GaCl₄]. The cationic complexes [Cp^ArCo(η⁴‐P₅R₂)][GaCl₄] ( 2‐R [GaCl₄], R=iPr and Cy) and [(Cp^ArNi)₂(η^3:3‐P₅R₂)][GaCl₄] ( 3‐R [GaCl₄]) were obtained from [P₅R₂][GaCl₄] and [Cp^ArM(μ‐Br)]₂ (M=Co and Ni) as well as by using low‐valent “Cp^ArM^I” sources. Anion metathesis of 2‐R [GaCl₄] and 3‐R [GaCl₄] was achieved with Na[BArF₂₄]. The P₅ framework of the resulting salts 2‐R [BArF₂₄] can be further functionalized with nucleophiles. Thus reactions with [Et₄N]X (X=CN and Cl) give unprecedented cyano‐ and chloro‐functionalized complexes, while organo‐functionalization was achieved with CyMgCl.     

Latent cationic palladium(II) phosphine carboxylate complexes for norbornene polymerization

The catalytic efficacy of trans‐[(R₃P)₂Pd(O₂CR′)(LB)][B(C₆F₅)₄] ( 1 ) (LB = Lewis base) and [(R₃P)₂Pd(κ²‐O,O‐O₂CR′)][B(C₆F₅)₄] ( 2 ) for mass polymerization of 5‐n‐butyl‐2‐norbornene (Butyl‐NB) was investigated. The nature of PR₃ and LB in 1 and 2 are the most critical components influencing catalytic activity/latency for the mass polymerization of Butyl‐NB. Further, it was shown that 1 is in general more latent than 2 in mass polymerization of Butyl‐NB. 5‐n‐Decyl‐2‐norbornene (Decyl‐NB) was subjected to solution polymerization in toluene at 63(±3) °C in the presence of several of the aforementioned palladium complexes as catalysts and the polymers obtained were characterized by gel permeation chromatography. Cationic trans‐[(R₃P)₂PdMe(MeCN)][B(C₆F₅)₄] [R = Cy ( 3a ), and ⁱPr ( 3b )] and trans‐[(R₃P)₂PdH (MeCN)][B(C₆F₅)₄] [R = Cy ( 4a ), and ⁱPr ( 4b )], possible products from thermolysis of trans‐[(R₃P)₂Pd(O₂CMe)(MeCN)][B(C₆F₅)₄] [R = Cy ( 1a ) and ⁱPr ( 1g )], as well as trans‐[(R₃P)₂Pd(η³‐C₃H₅)][B(C₆F₅)₄] [R = Cy ( 5a ), and ⁱPr ( 5b )], were also examined as catalysts for solution polymerization of Decyl‐NB. A maximum activity of 5360 kg/(molPd h) of 2a was achieved at a Decyl‐NB/Pd: 26,700 ratio which is slightly better than that achieved with 5a [activity: 5030 kg/(molPd h)] but far less compared with 4a [activity: 6110 kg/(molPd h)]. Polydispersity values indicate a single highly homogeneous character of the active catalyst species. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 103–110, 2009     

Charge Effects in PCP Pincer Complexes of NiII bearing Phosphinite and Imidazol(i)ophosphine Coordinating Jaws: From Synthesis to Catalysis through Bonding Analysis

This contribution reports on a new family of Ni^II pincer complexes featuring phosphinite and functional imidazolyl arms. The proligands ^RPIMC^HOP^R′ react at room temperature with Ni^II precursors to give the corresponding complexes [(^RPIMCOP^R′)NiBr], where ^RPIMCOP^R=κ^P,κ^C,κ^P‐{2‐(R′₂PO),6‐(R₂PC₃H₂N₂)C₆H₃}, R=iPr, R′=iPr ( 3 b , 84 %) or Ph ( 3 c , 45 %). Selective N‐methylation of the imidazole imine moiety in 3 b by MeOTf (OTf=OSO₂CF₃) gave the corresponding imidazoliophosphine [(^iPrPIMIOCOP^iPr)NiBr][OTf], 4 b , in 89 % yield (^iPrPIMIOCOP^iPr=κ^P,κ^C,κ^P‐{2‐(iPr₂PO),6‐(iPr₂PC₄H₅N₂)C₆H₃}). Treating 4 b with NaOEt led to the NHC derivative [(NHCCOP^iPr)NiBr], 5 b , in 47 % yield (NHCCOP^iPr=κ^P,κ^C,κ^C‐{2‐(iPr₂PO),6‐(C₄H₅N₂)C₆H₃)}). The bromo derivatives 3–5 were then treated with AgOTf in acetonitrile to give the corresponding cationic species [(^RPIMCOP^R)Ni(MeCN)][OTf] [R=Ph, 6 a (89 %) or iPr, 6 b (90 %)], [(^RPIMIOCOP^R)Ni(MeCN)][OTf]₂ [R=Ph, 7 a (79 %) or iPr, 7 b (88 %)], and [(NHCCOP^R)Ni(MeCN)][OTf] [R=Ph, 8 a (85 %) or iPr, 8 b (84 %)]. All new complexes have been characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, whereas 3 b , 3 c , 5 b , 6 b , and 8 a were also subjected to X‐ray diffraction studies. The acetonitrile adducts 6 – 8 were further studied by using various theoretical analysis tools. In the presence of excess nitrile and amine, the cationic acetonitrile adducts 6 – 8 catalyze hydroamination of nitriles to give unsymmetrical amidines with catalytic turnover numbers of up to 95.