Spectroscopic Study of the Interaction of the Pd(acac)(C3-acac)PPh3Complex with BF3OEt2 in the Presence of PPh3

The interaction between the components of a catalytic system Pd(acac)(C³-acac)PPh₃+nPPh₃+ mBF₃OEt₂(where n= 1–4, m= 0.25–4, and acac is the acetylacetonate ligand) in benzene is examined by UV and IR spectroscopy. With a relative excess of PPh₃(n> m), acacH and [Pd(acac)(PPh₃)₂]⁺BF^– ₄were the main products, whereas BF₂acac and a polynuclear complex of PdF₂with PPh₃also containing Pd²⁺(BF^– ₄)₂units were formed with a relative excess of BF₃OEt₂(n< m).     

Kinetics and mechanisms of homogeneous catalytic reactions: Part 15. Regio-specific hydroformylation of limonene catalysed by rhodium complexes of phosphine ligands

Limonene hydroformylation was studied in the presence of Rh-based catalytic systems, which were prepared in situ by addition of three equivalents of PPh₃, one of 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe), or one of 1,1,1-tris(diphenylphosphino)ethane (triphos) to Rh(CO)₂(acac) (1). These systems were efficient precatalysts for the target reaction, generating limonenal regio-specifically under mild reaction conditions (80 °C and 20 atm of syngas). The found activity order was: (1)/3 PPh₃?>?(1)/triphos?>?(1)/dppe. The active catalytic species are proposed to be square planar hydrido-carbonyl complexes containing two phosphorus atoms coordinated at the rhodium centre. A kinetic study of this reaction catalysed by (1)/3 PPh₃, the most active catalytic system, allowed us to propose that the mechanism of hydroformylation of limonene is similar to those reported for other olefins using RhH(CO)(PPh₃)₃ or Rh systems containing either dppe or triphos as precatalysts.     

Synthesis and Structural Analysis of New Palladium(II) Thiosaccharinates with Triphenylphosphane or Diphosphanes

A series of palladium(II) thiosaccharinates with triphenylphosphane (PPh₃), bis(diphenylphosphanyl)methane (dppm), and bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ethane (dppe) have been prepared and characterized. From mixtures of thiosaccharin, Htsac, and palladium(II) acetylacetonate, Pd(acac)₂, the palladium(II) thiosaccharinate, Pd(tsac)₂ (tsac: thiosaccharinate anion) ( 1 ) was prepared. The reaction of 1 with PPh₃, dppm, and dppe leads to the mononuclear species Pd(tsac)₂(PPh₃)₂ · MeCN ( 2 ), [Pd(tsac)₂(dppm)] ( 3 ), Pd(tsac)₂(dppm)₂ ( 4 ), and [Pd(tsac)₂(dppe)] · MeCN ( 5 ). Compounds 2 , 4 , and 5 have been prepared also by the reaction of Pd(acac)₂ with the corresponding phosphane and Htsac. All the new complexes have been characterized by chemical analysis, UV/Vis, IR, and Raman spectroscopy. Some of them have been also characterized by NMR spectroscopy. The crystalline structures of complexes 3 , and 5 have been studied by X‐ray diffraction techniques. Complex 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a = 16.3537(2), b = 13.3981(3), c = 35.2277(7) Å, β = 91.284(1)°, and Z = 8 molecules per unit cell, and complex 5 in P2₁/n with a = 10.6445(8), b = 26.412(3), c = 15.781(2) Å, β = 107.996(7)°, and Z = 4. In compounds 3 and 5 , the palladium ions are in a distorted square planar environment. They are closely related, having two sulfur atoms of two thiosaccharinate anions, and two phosphorus atoms of one molecule of dppm or dppe, respectively, bonded to the Pd^II atom. The molecular structure of complex 3 is the first reported for a mononuclear Pd^II‐dppm‐thionate system.     

Catalyzed hydroboration of nitrostyrenes and 4-vinylaniline: a mild and selective route to aniline derivatives containing boronate esters

Transition metal catalyzed reactions of catecholborane (HBcat; cat = 1,2-O₂C₆H₄) with β-nitrostyrene and 3-nitrostyrene lead to products derived from competing hydrogenation and hydroboration of the alkene unit along with reduction of the nitro group. Hydroboration of 4-vinylaniline gave regioselective formation of either the branched or the linear organoboronate ester depending upon the catalyst precursors (i.e., RhCl(PPh₃)₃ or Rh(acac)(dppe) vs [Cp^∗IrCl₂]₂) used to facilitate this reaction. Hydroboration products were converted to air-stable primary amines by addition of pinacol.     

Formation of a rhodium(II) monohydrido complex derived from wilkinson's complex RhCl(PPh3)3 in the interlamellar spaces of montmorillonite and catalytic hydrogenation of cyclohexene

The interaction of molecular hydrogen with [Rh(PPh₃)₃]⁺ (1a) “immobilized” in the interlamellar spaces of montmorillonite resulted in the formation of a monohydrido complex, [Rh^IIH(PPh₃)₃] (2a), characterized by electrochemical data of the clay-loaded electrode, IR, EPR and hydrogen absorption studies. Heterogenized homogeneous catalytic hydrogenation of cyclohexene catalysed by 1a was investigated in the temperature range 283–313 K. The order of reaction with respect to cyclohexene and hydrogen concentration is fractional and first order with respect to catalyst concentration. Thermodynamic parameters ΔH⁰ and ΔS⁰ corresponding to the formation of the monohydrido species were found to be 18 kcal mol⁻¹ and 61 e.u., respectively. The activation enthalpy, ΔH^‡, and entropy, ΔS^‡, for the hydrogenation of cyclohexene by the Rh^II—H complex in clay are more negative by about 2 kcal mol⁻¹ and 7 e.u. compared to Wilkinson's catalyst, RhCl(PPh₃)₃ (1), in homogeneous solution.     

Ruthenium(II) chalconate complexes: Synthesis, characterization, catalytic, and biological studies

A series of new hexa-coordinated ruthenium(II) carbonyl complexes of the type [RuCl(CO)(EPh₃)(B)(L)] (E = P or As; B = PPh₃, AsPh₃ or Py; L = 2′-hydroxychalcones) have been prepared by reacting [RuHCl(CO)(EPh₃)₂(B)] (E = P or As; B = PPh₃, AsPh₃ or Py) with 2′-hydroxychalcones in benzene under reflux. The new complexes have been characterized by analytical and spectral (IR, electronic, ¹H, ³¹P and ¹³C NMR) data. Based on the above data, an octahedral structure has been assigned for all the complexes. The new complexes exhibit catalytic activity for the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols into their corresponding aldehydes and ketones in the presence of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMO) as co-oxidant and also found efficient catalyst in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones. The antifungal properties of the complexes have also been examined and compared with standard Bavistin.     

Reactivity of [ReOX3(PPh3)2] and [ReOX3(AsPh3)2] towards 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-benzimidazole: Synthesis, X-ray studies, spectroscopic characterization and DFT calculations for [ReOX2(hpb)(EPh3)] and [ReO(OMe)(hpb)2]·MeCN

The paper presents a combined experimental and computational study of mono- and disubstituted Re(V) oxocomplexes obtained in the reactions of [ReOX₃(EPh₃)₂] (X = Cl, Br; E = P, As) with 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Hhpb). From the reactions of [ReOX₃(PPh₃)₂] with Hhpb in molar ratio 1:1 cis and trans stereoisomers of [ReOX₂(hpb)(PPh₃)] were isolated, whereas the [ReOX₃(AsPh₃)₂] oxocompounds react with Hhpb to give only cis-halide isomers. The [ReOX₂(hpb)(EPh₃)] and [ReO(OMe)(hpb)₂]·MeCN complexes have been characterized spectroscopically and structurally (by single-crystal X-ray diffraction). The DFT and TDDFT calculations have been carried out for the trans-[ReOBr₂(hpb)(PPh₃)], cis-[ReOBr₂(hpb)(AsPh₃)] and [ReO(OMe)(hpb)₂], and their UV–Vis spectra have been discussed on this basis.     

A new reaction of [Cp((CO)2Fe(PPh2H)]PF6 with NaBH4 to give Cp(CO)(H)Fe(PPh2H) via Cp(CO)2FeH and PPh2H

[Cp((CO)₂Fe(PPh₂H)]PF₆ reacts with NaBH₄ to give the intermediates CpFe(CO)₂H and PPh₂H, which are then converted into Cp(CO)(H)Fe(PPh₂H). [Cp(CO)₂FeL]PF₆ (L = P(OMe)₃, P(OEt)₃ and P(OⁱPr)₃) reacts with NaBH₄ to give the product Cp(CO)(H)FeL directly without Cp(CO)₂FeH and L even being formed transiently. The proposed reaction mechanism is that H⁻ attacks th phosphorus atom to give a metallaphosphorane complex, followed by coupling between a Cp(CO)₂Fe fragment and H on the hypervalent phosphorus.     

The unusual inhibition of a dirhodium tetraphosphine-based bimetallic hydroformylation catalyst by PPh3

The addition of even small amounts of PPh₃ to the dirhodium tetraphosphine hydroformylation catalyst generated from 〚rac-Rh₂(nbd)₂(et,ph-P4)〛(BF₄)₂ (nbd = norbornadiene; et,ph-P4 = Et₂CH₂CH₂(Ph)PCH₂P(Ph)CH₂CH₂PEt₂) causes a dramatic drop in the aldehyde linear-to-branched regioselectivity (25:1 to 3:1) in acetone solvent (90 °C, 6.1 bar, 1-hexene). Catalytic results are presented for differing amounts of added PPh₃ along with comparisons to the monometallic Rh catalyst family, HRh(CO)_x(PPh₃)_y (x = 1–3; y = 3 – x), generated from PPh₃ and Rh(acac)(CO)₂ (acac = acetylacetonate). The results point to the extremely effective inhibition of the regioselective bimetallic hydroformylation mechanism and the formation of an inefficient monometallic catalyst cycle, but not fragmentation to generate free HRh(CO)(PPh₃)₂ catalysts.     

Heterotrinuclear manganese(II) and vanadium(IV) Schiff base complexes as epoxidation catalysts

The catalytic epoxidation of styrene using urea-hydrogen peroxide and heterotrinuclear Cu(II) complexes with general formula (ML ⁿ )₂Cu(acac)₂, where n = 1–3 and M = VO²⁺ or Mn²⁺ is reported. Schiff base complexes ML ⁿ involving a 3,4-diaminopyridine bridge with free coordination site were used as the ligand, where (Lⁿ)²⁻ is [(5-x-Sal)₂Py]² and x = H, Br or NO₂. The complexes were characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. The electrochemical properties of M were modified upon trinuclear complex formation. The trinuclear complexes show high catalytic activity, with up to 86% conversion and 93% selectivity, while no catalytic properties were observed for the monomeric complexes. The catalyst could be reused with some loss of activity.     

Synthesis and characterization of Fe2O3/SiO2 nanocomposites

Fe₂O₃/SiO₂ nanocomposites based on fumed silica A-300 (S_BET = 337 m²/g) with iron oxide deposits at different content were synthesized using Fe(III) acetylacetonate (Fe(acac)₃) dissolved in isopropyl alcohol or carbon tetrachloride for impregnation of the nanosilica powder at different amounts of Fe(acac)₃ then oxidized in air at 400–900 °C. Samples with Fe(acac)₃ adsorbed onto nanosilica and samples with Fe₂O₃/SiO₂ including 6–17 wt% of Fe₂O₃ were investigated using XRD, XPS, TG/DTA, TPD MS, FTIR, AFM, nitrogen adsorption, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and quantum chemistry methods. The structural characteristics and phase composition of Fe₂O₃ deposits depend on reaction conditions, solvent type, content of grafted iron oxide, and post-reaction treatments. The iron oxide deposits on A-300 (impregnated by the Fe(acac)₃ solution in isopropanol) treated at 500–600 °C include several phases characterized by different nanoparticle size distributions; however, in the case of impregnation of A-300 by the Fe(acac)₃ solution in carbon tetrachloride only α-Fe₂O₃ phase is formed in addition to amorphous Fe₂O₃. The Fe₂O₃/SiO₂ materials remain loose (similar to the A-300 matrix) at the bulk density of 0.12–0.15 g/cm³ and S_BET = 265–310 m²/g.     

Nitric oxide and singlet oxygen photo-generation by light irradiation in the phototherapeutic window of a nitrosyl ruthenium conjugated with a phthalocyanine rare earth complex

The photochemical, photophysical and photobiological studies of a mixture containing cis-[Ru(H-dcbpy⁻)₂(Cl)(NO)] (H₂-dcbpy = 4,4′-dicarboxy-2,2′-bipyridine) and Na₄[Tb(TsPc)(acac)] (TsPc = tetrasulfonated phthalocyanines; acac = acetylacetone), a system capable of improving photodynamic therapy (PDT), were accomplished. cis-[Ru(H-dcbpy⁻)₂(Cl)(NO)] was obtained from cis-[Ru(H₂-dcbpy)₂Cl₂]·2H₂O, whereas Na₄[Tb(TsPc)(acac)] was obtained by reacting phthalocyanine with terbium acetylacetonate. The UV–Vis spectrum of cis-[Ru(H-dcbpy⁻)₂(Cl)(NO)] displays a band in the region of 305 nm (λ_max in 0.1 mol L⁻¹ HCl)(π–π*) and a shoulder at 323 nm (MLCT), while the UV–Vis spectrum of Na₄[Tb(TsPc)(acac)] presents the typical phthalocyanine bands at 342 nm (Soret λ_max in H₂O) and 642, 682 (Q bands). The cis-[Ru(H-dcbpy⁻)₂(Cl)(NO)] FTIR spectrum displays a band at 1932 cm⁻¹ (Ru–NO⁺). The cyclic voltammogram of the cis-[Ru(H-dcbpy⁻)₂(Cl)(NO)] complex in aqueous solution presented peaks at E = 0.10 V (NO^+/0) and E = −0.50 V (NO^0/−) versus Ag/AgCl. The NO concentration and ¹O₂ quantum yield for light irradiation in the λ > 550 nm region were measured as [NO] = 1.21 ± 0.14 μmol L⁻¹ and ø_OS = 0.41, respectively. The amount of released NO seems to be dependent on oxygen concentration, once the NO concentration measured in aerated condition was 1.51 ± 0.11 μmol L⁻¹ The photochemical pathway of the cis-[Ru(H-dcbpy⁻)₂(Cl)(NO)]/Na₄[Tb(TsPc)(acac)] mixture could be attributed to a photoinduced electron transfer process. The cytotoxic assays of cis-[Ru(H-dcbpy^-)₂(Cl)(NO)] and of the mixture carried out with B16F10 cells show a decrease in cell viability to 80% in the dark and to 20% under light irradiation. Our results document that the simultaneous production of NO and ¹O₂ could improve PDT and be useful in cancer treatment.     

Thermolysis studies on platinacycloalkane complexes

Thermal decomposition studies on platinacycloalkanes of the type Pt(CH₂)_mL₂ (where m = 6,7,8,10 and L₂ = dppp {1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane}, dppe {1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane} or L = PPh₃, ^tBu₃P) are described. The results reveal that the organic product distribution depends on various factors such as the nature of ligand, the metal system, the mode of decomposition, the ring size and the temperature. Possible mechanistic pathways for the formation of various products are discussed. These platinacycloalkanes can be used as models for metallacycloalkane intermediates in catalytic reactions.     

Hydroformylation of oct-1-ene catalyzed by dinuclear gem-dithiolato-bridged rhodium(I) complexes and phosphorus donor ligands

The dinuclear gem-dithiolato bridged compounds [Rh₂(μ-S₂Cptn)(cod)₂] (1) (CptnS₂²⁻ = 1,1-cyclopentanedithiolato), [Rh₂(μ-S₂Chxn)(cod)₂] (2) (ChxnS₂²⁻ = 1,1-cyclohexanedithiolato), [Rh₂(μ-S₂CBn₂)(cod)₂] (3) (Bn₂CS₂²⁻ = 1,3-diphenyl-2,2-dithiolatopropane) and [Rh₂(μ-S₂CⁱPr₂)(cod)₂] (4) (ⁱPr₂CS₂²⁻ = 2,4-dimethyl-2,2-dithiolatopentane) dissolved in toluene in the presence of monodentate phosphine or phosphite P-donor ligands under carbon monoxide/hydrogen (1:1) atmosphere are efficient catalysts for the hydroformylation of oct-1-ene under mild conditions (6.8 atm of CO/H₂ and 80 °C). The influence of the gem-dithiolato ligand, the P-donor co-catalyst and the P/Rh ratio on the catalytic activity and selectivity has been explored. Aldehyde selectivities higher than 95% and turnover frequencies up to 245 h⁻¹ have been obtained using P(OMe)₃ as modifying ligand. Similar activity figures have been obtained using P(OPh)₃ although the selectivities are lower. Regioselectivities toward linear aldehyde are in the range 75–85%. The performance of the catalytic systems [Rh₂(μ-S₂CR₂)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂]/PPh₃ has been found to be comparable to the systems [Rh₂(μ-S₂CR₂)(cod)₂] at the same P/Rh ratio. The system [Rh₂(μ-S₂CBn₂)(cod)₂] (3)/P(OPh)₃ has been tested in the hydroformylation-isomerization of trans-oct-2-ene. Under optimized conditions up to 54% nonanal was obtained. Spectroscopic studies under pressure (HPNMR and HPIR) evidenced the formation of hydrido mononuclear species under catalytic conditions that are most probably responsible for the observed catalytic activity.     

Rhodathiaboranes with `anomalous' electron counts: synthesis, structure and reactivity

Analysis of the structures of 8,8-(PPh₃)₂-8,7-nido-RhSB₉H₁₀ and 9,9-(PPh₃)₂-9,7,8-nido-RhC₂B₈H₁₁ by RMS misfit calculations has confirmed that these rhodaheteroboranes possess nido 11-vertex cluster geometries in apparent contravention of Wade's rules. However, examination of the molecular structures of both species shows that the {RhP₂} planes are inclined by ca. 66° with respect to the metal-bonded SB₃ or CB₃ faces, and that two weak ortho-CHRh agostic interactions occupy the vacant co-ordination position thereby created. As a consequence of these agostic bonds the Rh atom, and hence the overall cluster, is provided with an additional electron pair, meaning that their nido structures are now fully consistent with Wade's rules. The chelated diphosphine compound 8,8-(dppe)-8,7-nido-RhSB₉H₁₀ is similar to the PPh₃ compound in showing the same agostic bonding. Attempts to prepare a bis-P(OMe)₃ analogue result in ligand scavenging and the formation of 8,8,8-{P(OMe)₃}₃-8,7-nido-RhSB₉H₁₀. Similarly, reaction between Cs[6-arachno-SB₉H₁₂] and RhCl(dmpe)CO does not result in CO loss but in formation of 8,8-(dmpe)-8-(CO)-8,7-nido-RhSB₉H₁₀, shown to exist as a mixture of two of three possible rotamers. Deprotonation of 8,8-(PPh₃)₂-8,7-nido-RhSB₉H₁₀ and 8,8-(dppe)-8,7-nido-RhSB₉H₁₀ with MeLi yields the anions [1,1-(PPh₃)₂-1,2-closo-RhSB₉H₉]⁻ and [1,1-dppe-1,2-closo-RhSB₉H₉]⁻, respectively, with octadecahedral cage structures. It is argued that anion formation causes the agostic bonding to be `switched-off' and results in the cluster adopting the closo architecture predicted by Wade's rules. This structural change is fully reversible on reprotonation, and if reprotonation of [1,1-(dppe)-1,2-closo-RhSB₉H₉]⁻ is carried out in MeCN, the product 8,8-(dppe)-8-(MeCN)-8,7-nido-RhSB₉H₁₀ forms. Interestingly, 8,8-(dppe)-8-(MeCN)-8,7-nido-RhSB₉H₁₀ reconverts to 8,8-(dppe)-8,7-nido-RhSB₉H₁₀ on standing in CDCl₃, suggesting that the agostic bonding is sufficiently strong to displace co-ordinated MeCN. All new compounds are fully characterised by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and, in many cases, by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Ruthenium–arene complexes bearing imidazol(in)ium-2-dithiocarboxylate ligands: Evaluation of their catalytic activity in the synthesis of enol esters

The catalytic activity of four ruthenium imidazol(in)ium-2-dithiocarboxylates was evaluated for the synthesis of vinyl esters through addition of 4-acetoxybenzoic acid to 1-hexyne, and compared to those of the parent ruthenium–N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and [RuCl₂(p-cymene)(PPh₃)] (a standard catalyst). It turned out that ruthenium imidazol(in)ium-2-dithiocarboxylates were poorly active and selective. Quantitative yields, indeed, were obtained only after extended reaction times. However, the catalytic activity could be improved significantly under microwave heating or conventional heating in a sealed tube at 160 °C, driving the reaction to completion in less than 4 h of reaction.     

Platinum(II), palladium(II), nickel(II), and gold(I) complexes of the “electrospray-friendly” thiolate ligands 4-SC5H4N− and 4-SC6H4OMe−

The series of platinum(II), palladium(II), and nickel(II) complexes [ML₂(dppe)] [M = Ni, Pd, Pt; L = 4–SC₅H₄N or 4–SC₆H₄OMe; dppe = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂] containing pyridine-4-thiolate or 4-methoxybenzenethiolate ligands, together with the corresponding gold(I) complexes [AuL(PPh₃)], were prepared and their electrospray ionization mass spectrometric behavior compared with that of the thiophenolate complexes [M(SPh)₂(dppe)] (M = Ni, Pd, Pt) and [Au(SPh)(PPh₃)]. While the pyridine-4-thiolate complexes yielded protonated ions of the type [M + H]⁺ and [M + 2H]²⁺ ions in the Ni, Pd, and Pt complexes, an [M + H]⁺ ion was only observed for the platinum derivative of 4-methoxybenzenethiolate. Other ions, which dominated the spectra of the thiophenolate complexes, were formed by thiolate loss and aggregate formation. The X-ray crystal structure of [Pt(SC₆H₄OMe–4)₂(dppe)] is also reported.     

Organometallic gold(I)–nickel(II)–aryldiethynyl (–C≡C(Ar)C≡C–) phosphine complexes: synthesis and multinuclear n.m.r. study

Silver triflate [AgOTf] assisted de-bromination gives [Ni(dppm/dppe/(PPh₃)₂)(OTf)₂], which on reaction with aryldiethynyls and gold(I) phosphines in CH₂Cl₂ medium, by the self assembly technique, leads to [{Ni(dppm/dppe/(PPh₃)₂}{(1,4-AB)Au(PPh₃)}₂] [{Ni₄(dppm/dppe/(PPh₃)₂)₄(1,4AB)₄}] [dppm/dppe = diphenyl phosphino-methane (1), -ethane (2), where OSO₂CF₃ is the triflate anion]. The maximum molecular peak of the corresponding molecule is observed in the ESI mass spectrum. I.r. spectra of the complexes show –C=C– and –C=N–, as well as phosphine stretching. The ¹H-n.m.r. spectra as well as ³¹P(¹H)-n.m.r. suggest solution stereochemistry, proton movement, phosphorus proton interaction. Considering all the moities there are a lot of carbon atoms in the molecule reflected by the ¹³C-n.m.r. spectrum. In the ¹H–¹H-COSY spectrum of the present complexes and contour peaks in the ¹H–¹³C-HMQC spectrum, assign the solution structure and stereo-retentive transformation in each step.     

Synthesis, characterization, and spectroscopic studies of palladium(II) and silver(I) complexes of 4-methoxybenzoylmethylenetriphenylphosphorane and 4-fluorobenzoylmethylenetriphenylphosphorane

The reactions of 4-methoxybenzoylmethylenetriphenylphosphorane ylide (MOBPPY), {(Ph)₃PCHCOC₆H₄OMe}, and 4-flourobenzoylmethylenetriphenylphosphorane ylide (FBPPY) with [Pd(C₆H₄CH₂NH₂-κ²-C-N)ClL] (L = Py, 3-MePy, 4-MePy, or PPh₃), in equimolar ratios in CH₂Cl₂ yield [Pd(C₆H₄CH₂NH₂-κ²-C-N)L (Ye)]TfO [(L = PPh₃, Ye = MOBPPY; L = PPh₃, Ye = FBPPY; L = Py, Ye = MOBPPY; or L = 3-MePy, Ye = MOBPPY]. The reaction of MOBPPY with AgOTf (OTf = CF₃SO₃) in molar ratios (2:1) using dry acetone as solvent gives [Ag(MOBPPY)₂]OTf.     

Facile synthesis of sterically demanding SHOP‐type nickel catalysts for ethylene polymerization

The P,O‐chelated shell higher olefin process (SHOP) type nickel complexes are practical homogeneous catalysts for the industrial preparation of linear low‐carbon α‐olefins from ethylene. We describes that a facile synthetic route enables the modulation of steric hindrance and electronic nature of SHOP‐type nickel complexes. A series of sterically bulky SHOP‐type nickel complexes with variable electronic nature, {[4‐R‐C₆H₄C(O) = C‐PArPh]NiPh (PPh₃); Ar = 2‐[2′,6′‐(OMe)₂C₆H₃]C₆H₄; R = H ( Ni1 ); R = OMe ( Ni2 ); R = CF₃ ( Ni3 )}, were prepared and used as single component catalysts toward ethylene polymerization without using any phosphine scavenger. These nickel catalysts exhibit high thermal stability during ethylene polymerization and result in highly crystalline linear α‐olefinic solid polymer. The catalytic performance of the SHOP‐type nickel complexes was significantly improved by introducing a bulky ortho‐biphenyl group on the phosphorous atom or an electron‐withdrawing trifluoromethyl on the backbone of the ligand, indicating steric and electronic effects play critical roles in SHOP‐type nickel complexes catalyzed ethylene polymerization.