Synthesis, structures, and reactivity of weakly coordinating anions with delocalized borate structure: the assessment of anion effects in metallocene polymerization catalysts.

The formation of adducts of tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane with strongly coordinating anions such as CN(-) and [M(CN)(4)](2)(-) (M = Ni, Pd) is a synthetically facile route to the bulky, very weakly coordinating anions [CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)](-) and [M[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)](2-) which are isolated as stable NHMe(2)Ph(+) and CPh(3)(+) salts. The crystal structures of [CPh(3)][CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)] (1), [CPh(3)][ClB(C(6)F(5))(3)] (2), [NHMe(2)Ph](2)[Ni[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)].2Me(2)CO (4b.2Me(2)CO), [CPh(3)](2)[Ni[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)].2CH(2)Cl(2) (4c.2CH(2)Cl(2)), and [CPh(3)](2)[Pd[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)].2CH(2)Cl(2) (5c.2CH(2)Cl(2)) are reported. The CN stretching frequencies in 4 and 5 are shifted by approximately 110 cm(-1) to higher wavenumbers compared to the parent tetracyano complexes in aqueous solution, although the M-C and C-N distances show no significant change on B(C(6)F(5))(3) coordination. Zirconocene dimethyl complexes L(2)ZrMe(2) [L(2) = Cp(2), SBI = rac-Me(2)Si(Ind)(2)] react with 1, 4c or 5c in benzene solution at 20 degrees C to give the salts of binuclear methyl-bridged cations, [(L(2)ZrMe)(2)(mu-Me)][CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)] and [(L(2)ZrMe)(2)(mu-Me)](2)[M[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)]. The reactivity of these species in solution was studied in comparison with the known [[(SBI)ZrMe](2)(mu-Me)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)]. While the latter reacts with excess [CPh(3)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] in benzene to give the mononuclear ion pair [(SBI)ZrMe(+).B(C(6)F(5))(4)(-)] in a pseudo-first-order reaction, k = 3 x 10(-4) s(-1), [(L(2)ZrMe)(2)(mu-Me)][CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)] reacts to give a mixture of L(2)ZrMe(mu-Me)B(C(6)F(5))(3) and L(2)ZrMe(mu-NC)B(C(6)F(5))(3). Recrystallization of [Cp' '(2)Zr(mu-Me)(2)AlMe(2)][CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)] affords Cp' '(2)ZrMe(mu-NC)B(C(6)F(5))(3) 6, the X-ray structure of which is reported. The stability of [(L(2)ZrMe)(2)(mu-Me)](+)X(-) decreases in the order X = [B(C(6)F(5))(4)] > [M[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)] > [CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)] and increases strongly with the steric bulk of L(2) = Cp(2) < SBI. Activation of (SBI)ZrMe(2) by 1 in the presence of AlBu(i)(3) gives extremely active ethene polymerization catalysts. Polymerization studies at 1-7 bar monomer pressure suggest that these, and by implication most other highly active ethene polymerization catalysts, are strongly mass-transport limited. By contrast, monitoring propene polymerization activities with the systems (SBI)ZrMe(2)/1/AlBu(i)(3) and CGCTiMe(2)/1/AlBu(i)(3) at 20 degrees C as a function of catalyst concentration demonstrates that in these cases mass-transport limitation is absent up to [metal] approximately 2 x 10(-5) mol L(-1). Propene polymerization activities decrease in the order [CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)](-) > [B(C(6)F(5))(4)](-) > [M[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)](2-) > [MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)](-), with differences in activation barriers relative to [CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)](-) of DeltaDeltaG = 1.1 (B(C(6)F(5))(4)(-)), 4.1 (Ni[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)(2-)) and 10.7-12.8 kJ mol(-)(1) (MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)(-)). The data suggest that even in the case of very bulky anions with delocalized negative charge the displacement of the anion by the monomer must be involved in the rate-limiting step.     

Synthesis and structure of amido- and imido(pentafluorophenyl)borane zirconocene and hafnocene complexes: N-H and B-H activation

Treatment of Me(2)S·B(C(6)F(5))(n) H(3-n) (n=1 or 2) with ammonia yields the corresponding adducts. H(3)N·B(C(6)F(5))H(2) dimerises in the solid state through N-H···H-B dihydrogen interactions. The adducts can be deprotonated to give lithium amidoboranes Li[NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(n)H(3-n)]. Reaction of the n=2 reagent with [Cp(2)ZrCl(2)] leads to disubstitution, but [Cp(2)Zr{NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(2)H}(2)] is in equilibrium with the product of β-hydride elimination [Cp(2)Zr(H){NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(2)H}], which proves to be the major isolated solid. The analogous reaction with [Cp(2)HfCl(2)] gives a mixture of [Cp(2)Hf{NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(2)H}(2)] and the N-H activation product [Cp(2)Hf{NHB(C(6)F(5 )(2)H}]. [Cp(2)Zr{NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(2)H}(2)]·PhMe and [Cp(2)Hf{NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(2)H}(2)]·4(thf) exhibit β-B-agostic chelate bonding of one of the two amidoborane ligands in the solid state. The agostic hydride is invariably coordinated to the outside of the metallocene wedge. Exceptionally, [Cp(2)Hf{NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(2)H}(2)]?PhMe has a structure in which the two amidoborane ligands adopt an intermediate coordination mode, in which neither is definitively agostic. [Cp(2)Hf{NHB(C(6)F(5))(2)H}] has a formally dianionic imidoborane ligand chelating through an agostic interaction, but the bond-length distribution suggests a contribution from a zwitterionic amidoborane resonance structure. Treatment of the zwitterions [Cp(2)MMe(μ-Me)B(C(6)F(5))(3)] (M=Zr, Hf) with Li[NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(n)H(3-n)] (n=2) results in [Cp(2) MMe{NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(2)H}] complexes, for which the spectroscopic data, particularly (1)J(B,H), again suggest β-B-agostic interactions. The reactions proceed similarly for the structurally encumbered [Cp'(2)ZrMe(μ-Me)B(C(6)F(5))(3)] precursor (Cp'=1,3-C(5)H(3)(SiMe(3))(2) , n=1 or 2) to give [Cp'(2)ZrMe{NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(n)H(3-n)}], both of which have been structurally characterised and show chelating, agostic amidoborane coordination. In contrast, the analogous hafnium chemistry leads to the recovery of [Cp'(2)HfMe(2)] and the formation of Li[HB(C(6)F(5))(3)] through hydride abstraction.     

Frustrated Lewis pairs beyond the main group: cationic zirconocene-phosphinoaryloxide complexes and their application in catalytic dehydrogenation of amine boranes

The cationic zirconocene-phosphinoaryloxide complexes [Cp(2)ZrOC(6)H(4)P(t-Bu)(2)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] (3) and [Cp*(2)ZrOC(6)H(4)P(t-Bu)(2)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] (4) were synthesized by the reaction of Cp(2)ZrMe(2) or Cp*(2)ZrMe(2) with 2-(diphenylphosphino)phenol followed by protonation with [2,6-di-tert-butylpyridinium][B(C(6)F(5))(4)]. Compound 3 exhibits a Zr-P bond, whereas the bulkier Cp* derivative 4 was isolated as a chlorobenzene adduct without this Zr-P interaction. These compounds can be described as transition-metal-containing versions of linked frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs), and treatment of 4 with H(2) under mild conditions cleaved H(2) in a fashion analogous to that for main-group FLPs. Their reactivity in amine borane dehydrogenation also mimics that of main-group FLPs, and they dehydrogenate a range of amine borane adducts. However, in contrast to main-group FLPs, 3 and 4 achieve this transformation in a catalytic rather than stoichiometric sense, with rates superior to those for previous high-valent catalysts.     

Marked counteranion effects on single-site olefin polymerization processes. Correlations of ion pair structure and dynamics with polymerization activity, chain transfer, and syndioselectivity

Counteranion effects on the rate and stereochemistry of syndiotactic propylene enchainment by the archetypal C(s)-symmetric precatalyst [Me(2)C(Cp)(Flu)]ZrMe(2) (1; Cp = C(5)H(4); Flu = C(13)H(8), fluorenyl) are probed using the cocatalysts MAO (2), B(C(6)F(5))(3) (3)(,) B(2-C(6)F(5)C(6)F(4))(3) (4)(,) Ph(3)C(+)B(C(6)F(5))(4)(-) (5), and Ph(3)C(+)FAl(2-C(6)F(5)C(6)F(4))(3)(-) (6), offering greatly different structural and ion pairing characteristics. Reaction of 1 with 3 affords [Me(2)C(Cp)(Flu)]ZrMe(+) MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)(-) (7). In the case of 4, this reaction leads to formation the micro-methyl dinuclear diastereomers [([Me(2)C(Cp)(Flu)]ZrMe)(2)(micro-Me)](+) MeB(2-C(6)F(5)C(6)F(4))(3)(-) (8). A similar reaction with 6 results in diastereomeric [Me(2)C(Cp)(Flu)]ZrMe(+) FAl(2-C(6)F(5)C(6)F(4))(3)(-) (10) ion pairs. The molecular structures of 7 and 10 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Reorganization pathways available to these species have been examined using EXSY and dynamic NMR, revealing that the cation-MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)(-) interaction is considerably weaker/more mobile than in the FAl(2-C(6)F(5)C(6)F(4))(3)(-)-derived analogue. Polymerizations mediated by 1 in toluene over the temperature range of -10 degrees to +60 degrees C and at 1.0-5.0 atm propylene pressure (at 60 degrees C) reveal that activity, product syndiotacticity, m and mm stereodefect generation, and chain transfer processes are highly sensitive to the nature of the ion pairing. Thus, the complexes activated with 4 and 5, having the weakest ion pairing, yield the highest estimated propagation rates, while with 6, having the strongest pairing, yields the lowest. The strongly coordinating, immobile FAl(2-C(6)F(5)C(6)F(4))(3)(-) anion produces the highest/least temperature-dependent product syndiotacticity, lowest/least temperature-dependent m stereodefect abundance, and highest product molecular weight. These polypropylene microstructural parameters, and also M(w), are least sensitive to increased propylene pressure for FAl(2-C(6)F(5)C(6)F(4))(3)(-), but highest with MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)(-). In general, mm stereodefect production is only modestly anion-sensitive; [propylene] dependence studies reveal enantiofacial propylene misinsertion to be the prevailing mm-generating process in all systems at 60 degrees C, being most dominant with 6, where mm stereodefect abundance is lowest. For 1,3-dichlorobenzene as the polymerization solvent, product syndiotacticity, as well as m and mm stereodefects, become indistinguishable for all cocatalysts. These observations are consistent with a scenario in which ion pairing modulates the rates of stereodefect generating processes relative to monomer enchainment, hence net enchainment syndioselectivity, and also dictates the rate of termination relative to propagation and the preferred termination pathway. In comparison to 3-6, propylene polymerization mediated by MAO (2) + 1 in toluene reveals an estimated ordering in site epimerization rates as 5 > 4 > 2 > 3 > 6, while product syndiotacticities rank as 6 > 2 > 5 approximately 4 > 3.     

Trapping unstable terminal M-O multiple bonds of monocyclopentadienyl niobium and tantalum complexes with Lewis acids

Hydrolysis of [NbCp'Cl(4)] (Cp' = η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3)) with the water adduct H(2)O·B(C(6)F(5))(3) afforded the oxo-borane compound [NbCp'Cl(2){O·B(C(6)F(5))(3)}] (2a). This compound reacted with [MgBz(2)(THF)(2)] giving [NbCp'Bz(2){O·B(C(6)F(5))(3)}] (2b), whereas [NbCp'Me(2){O·B(C(6)F(5))(3)}] (2c) was obtained from the reaction of [NbCp'Me(4)] with H(2)O·B(C(6)F(5))(3). Addition of Al(C(6)F(5))(3) to solutions containing the oxo-borane compounds [MCp(R)X(2){O·B(C(6)F(5))(3)}] (M = Ta, Cp(R) = η(5)-C(5)Me(5) (Cp*), X = Cl 1a, Bz 1b, Me 1c; M = Nb, Cp(R) = Cp', X = Cl 2a) afforded the oxo-alane complexes [MCp(R)X(2){O·Al(C(6)F(5))(3)}] (M = Ta, Cp(R) = Cp*, X = Cl 3a, Bz 3b, Me 3c; M = Nb, Cp(R) = Cp', X = Cl 4a), releasing B(C(6)F(5))(3). Compound 3a was also obtained by addition of Al(C(6)F(5))(3) to the dinuclear μ-oxo compound [TaCp*Cl(2)(μ-O)](2), meanwhile addition of the water adduct H(2)O·Al(C(6)F(5))(3) to [TaCp*Me(4)] gave complex 3c. The structure of 2a and 3a was obtained by X-ray diffraction studies. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to further understand these types of oxo compounds.     

NOE and PGSE NMR spectroscopic studies of solution structure and aggregation in metallocenium ion-pairs

The solution structures of the metallocenium homogeneous polymerization catalyst ion-pairs [Cp(2)ZrMe](+)[MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)](-) (1), [(1,2-Me(2)Cp)(2)ZrMe](+)[MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)](-) (2), [(Me(2)SiCp(2))ZrMe](+)[MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)](-) (3), [Me(2)C(Fluorenyl)(Cp)ZrMe](+)[FPBA](-) (FPBA = tris(2,2',2' '-nonafluorobiphenyl)fluoroaluminate) (4), [rac-Et(Indenyl)(2)ZrMe](+)[FPBA](-) (5), [(Me(5)Cp)(2)ThMe](+)[B(C(6)F(5))(4)](-) (6), [(Me(2)SiCp(2))Zr(Me)(THF)](+)[MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)](-) (7), [(Me(2)SiCp(2))Zr(Me)(PPh(3))](+)[MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)](-) (8), [(Me(2)SiCp(2))Zr(Me)(THF)](+)[B(C(6)F(5))(4)](-) (9), [(Me(2)Si(Me(4)Cp)(t-BuN)Zr(Me)(solvent)](+)[B(C(6)F(5))(4)](-) (solvent = benzene, toluene) (10), [(Cp(2)ZrMe)(2)(mu-Me)](+)[MePBB](-) (PBB = tris(2,2',2"-nonafluorobiphenyl)borane) (11), and [(Cp(2)Zr)(2)(mu-CH(2))(mu-Me)](+)[MePBB](-) (12), having the counteranion in the inner (1, 3, 4, 5, and 6) or outer (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12) coordination sphere, have been investigated for the first time in solvents with low relative permittivity such as benzene or toluene by (1)H NOESY and (1)H,(19)F HOESY NMR spectroscopy. It is found that the average interionic solution structures of the inner sphere contact ion-pairs are similar to those in the solid state with the anion B-Me (1, 3) or Al-F (5) vectors oriented toward the free zirconium coordination site. The HOESY spectrum of complex 6 is in agreement with the reported solid-state structure. In contrast, in outer sphere contact ion-pairs 7, 8, 9, and 10, the anion is located far from the Zr-Me(+) moiety and much nearer to the Me(2)Si bridge than in 3. The interionic structure of 8 is concentration-dependent, and for concentrations greater than 2 mM, a loss of structural localization is observed. PGSE NMR measurements as a function of concentration (0.1-5.0 mM) indicate that the tendency to form aggregates of nuclearity higher than simple ion-pairs is dependent on whether the anion is in the inner or outer coordination sphere of the metallocenium cation. Complexes 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 show no evidence of aggregation up to 5 mM (well above concentrations typically used in catalysis) or at the limit of saturated solutions (complexes 3 and 6), while concentration-dependent behavior is observed for complexes 7, 8, 10, and 11. These outer sphere ion-pairs begin to exhibit significant evidence for ion-quadruples in solutions having concentrations greater than 0.5 mM with the tendency to aggregate being a function of metal ligation and anion structure. Above 2 mM, compound 8 exists as higher aggregates that are probably responsible for the loss of interionic structural specificity.     

Dynamic properties of metallocenium ion pairs in solution by atomistic simulations

We report a molecular dynamics study of the dynamics and energetic of the [H(2)Si(Cp)(2)ZrMe(+)][MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)(-)], IP1, and [Me(2)Si(Cp)(2)ZrMe(+)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)(-)], IP2, ion pairs in benzene. The metrical parameters obtained for the IP1 ion pair are in excellent agreement with the NMR data reported for the strictly related [Me(2)Si(Cp)(2)ZrMe(+)][MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)(-)] ion pair (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 1448). This validates the molecular modeling protocol we developed. Simulation of the IP2 ion pair suggests that the counterion oscillates between two geometries characterized by a different coordination pattern of the F atoms to the Zr cation. In one case the B(C(6)F(5))(4)(-) coordinates to the metal with two F atoms of the same aryl ring, whereas in the other case two F atoms of different aryl rings are involved in the coordination. Strong solvent reorganization occurs around IP1 and IP2, as well as around the two isolated cations. In the case of the two ion pairs solvent is never coordinated directly to the metal, whereas in the absence of the counterion one benzene molecule is coordinated to the metal through a cation-pi interaction. Free energy calculations result in ion pair free energies of separation of 36.8 and 23.3 kcal/mol for IP1 and IP2, respectively. Simulations with the Zr-B distance fixed at values > 7 A have been also performed. This mimics the situation occurring after counterion displacement by an inserting monomer molecule during olefin polymerization by the title catalysts.     

Metallocene polymerization catalyst ion-pair aggregation by cryoscopy and pulsed field gradient spin-echo NMR diffusion measurements

Pulsed field gradient spin-echo (PGSE) NMR and cryoscopic measurements have been performed on a series of homogeneous metallocene polymerization catalyst ion-pairs to determine if aggregation is a significant phenomenon under typical polymerization conditions. Cryoscopic measurements on [(Me5Cp)2ZrMe]+[MeB(C6F5)3]- (1), [rac-Et(Indenyl)2ZrMe]+[MeB(C6F5)3]- (2), [(1,2-Me2Cp)2ZrCHTMS2]+[MeB(C6F5)3]- (3), [Me2Si(Me4Cp)(t-BuN)TiMe]+[MeB(C6F5)3]- (4), [Me2Si(Me4Cp)(t-BuN)ZrMe]+[MeB(C6F5)3]- (5), and [Me2C(Fluorenyl)(Cp)ZrMe]+[MeB(C6F5)3]- (6) were carried out in benzene in the 10-18 millimolal concentration range. PGSE measurements, using (p-tolyl)4Si as an internal standard, were also performed on catalyst ion-pairs 1, 4, 6, [(Me5Cp)2ThMe]+[B(C6F5)4]- (7), [(Me2SiCp2)ZrMe]+[MeB(C6F5)3]- (8), and [Cp2ZrMe]+[MeB(C6F5)3]- (9) in the 0.8-10.0 millimolar range. All results are consistent with a 1:1 ion-pair structural model and show little evidence for ion-quadruples or higher-order aggregates.     

Generation of cationic [Zr-[tert-butyl enolate]] reactive species: methyl abstraction versus hydride abstraction

Treatment of the neutral methyl-Zr-enolate [Cp(2)Zr(Me)[O(tBuO)C=CMe(2)]] (1) with one equivalent of B(C(6)F(5))(3) or [HNMe(2)Ph][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] as a methyl abstractor in THF at 0 degrees C leads to the selective formation of the free ion pair complex [Cp(2)Zr(THF)[O(tBuO)C=CMe(2)]](+) [anion](-) (2) (anion=MeB(C(6)F(5))(3) (-), B(C(6)F(5))(4) (-)), which is relevant to the controlled polymerization of methacrylates. Cation 2 rapidly decomposes at 20 degrees C in THF with release of one equivalent of isobutene to form the cationic Zr-carboxylate species [Cp(2)Zr(THF)(O(2)CiPr)](+) (3), through a proposed intramolecular proton transfer process from the tert-butoxy group to the enolate. The reaction of 1 with one equivalent of B(C(6)F(5))(3) or [HNMe(2)Ph][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] in CH(2)Cl(2) leads to the direct, rapid formation of the dimeric micro-isobutyrato-Zr dicationic species [[Cp(2)Zr[micro-(O(2)CiPr)]](2)](2+) (4), which gives 3 upon dissolution in THF. Contrastingly, when [Ph(3)C][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] is used to generate the cationic Zr-enolate species from 1 in CD(2)Cl(2), a 15:85 mixture of dicationic complexes 4 and [[Cp(2)Zr[micro-(O(2)C-C(Me)=CH(2))]](2)](2+)[B(C(6)F(5))(4)]]2-(5-[B(C(6)F(5))(4)](2)) is obtained quantitatively. The formation of 5 is proposed to arise from initial hydride abstraction from a methyl enolate group by Ph(3)C(+), as supported by the parallel production of Ph(3)CH, and subsequent elimination of methane and isobutene. In addition to standard spectroscopic and analytical characterizations for the isolated complexes 2-5, complexes 4 and 5 have also been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Reaction of vinyl chloride with group 4 metal olefin polymerization catalysts

The reactions of three types of group 4 metal olefin polymerization catalysts, (C(5)R(5))(2)ZrX(2)/activator, (C(5)Me(5))TiX(3)/MAO (MAO = methylalumoxane), and (C(5)Me(4)SiMe(2)N(t)Bu)MX(2)/activator (M = Ti, Zr), with vinyl chloride (VC) and VC/propylene mixtures have been investigated. Two general pathways are observed: (i) radical polymerization of VC initiated by radicals derived from the catalyst and (ii) net 1,2 VC insertion into L(n)MR(+) species followed by beta-Cl elimination. rac-(EBI)ZrMe(mu-Me)B(C(6)F(5))(3) (EBI = 1,2-ethylenebis(indenyl)) reacts with 2 equiv of VC to yield oligopropylene, rac-(EBI)ZrCl(2), and B(C(6)F(5))(3). This reaction proceeds by net 1,2 VC insertion into rac-(EBI)ZrMe(+) followed by fast beta-Cl elimination to yield [rac-(EBI)ZrCl][MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)] and propylene. Methylation of rac-(EBI)ZrCl(+) by MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)(-) enables a second VC insertion/beta-Cl elimination to occur. The evolved propylene is oligomerized by rac-(EBI)ZrR(+) as it is formed. At high Al/Zr ratios, rac-(EBI)ZrMe(2)/MAO catalytically converts VC to oligopropylene by 1,2 VC insertion into rac-(EBI)ZrMe(+), beta-Cl elimination, and realkylation of rac-(EBI)ZrCl(+) by MAO; this process is stoichiometric in Al-Me groups. The evolved propylene is oligomerized by rac-(EBI)ZrR(+). Oligopropylene end group analysis shows that the predominant chain transfer mechanism is VC insertion/beta-Cl elimination/realkylation. In the presence of trace levels of O(2), rac-(EBI)ZrMe(2)/MAO polymerizes VC to poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) by a radical mechanism initiated by radicals generated by autoxidation of Zr-R and/or Al-R species. CpTiX(3)/MAO (Cp = C(5)Me(5); X = OMe, Cl) initiates radical polymerization of VC in CH(2)Cl(2) solvent at low Al/Ti ratios under anaerobic conditions; in this case, the source of initiating radicals is unknown. Radical VC polymerization can be identified by the presence of terminal and internal allylic chloride units and other "radical defects" in the PVC which arise from the characteristic chemistry of PCH(2)CHCl(*) macroradicals. However, this test must be used with caution, since the defect units can be consumed by postpolymerization reactions with MAO. (C(5)Me(4)SiMe(2)N(t)Bu)MMe(2)/[Ph(3)C]][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] catalysts (M = Ti, Zr) react with VC by net 1,2 insertion/beta-Cl elimination, yielding [(C(5)Me(4)SiMe(2)N(t)Bu)MCl][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] species which can be trapped as (C(5)Me(4)SiMe(2)N(t)Bu)MCl(2) by addition of a chloride source. The reaction of rac-(EBI)ZrMe(2)/MAO or [(C(5)Me(4)SiMe(2)N(t)Bu)ZrMe][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] with propylene/VC mixtures yields polypropylene containing both allylic and vinylidene unsaturated chain ends rather than strictly vinylidene chain ends, as observed in propylene homopolymerization. These results show that the VC insertion of L(n)M(CH(2)CHMe)(n)R(+) species is also followed by beta-Cl elimination, which terminates chain growth and precludes propylene/VC copolymerization. Termination of chain growth by beta-Cl elimination is the most significant obstacle to metal-catalyzed insertion polymerization/copolymerization of VC.     

Half-sandwich bis(tetramethylaluminate) complexes of the rare-earth metals: synthesis, structural chemistry, and performance in isoprene polymerization

The protonolysis reaction of [Ln(AlMe(4))(3)] with various substituted cyclopentadienyl derivatives HCp(R) gives access to a series of half-sandwich complexes [Ln(AlMe(4))(2)(Cp(R))]. Whereas bis(tetramethylaluminate) complexes with [1,3-(Me(3)Si)(2)C(5)H(3)] and [C(5)Me(4)SiMe(3)] ancillary ligands form easily at ambient temperature for the entire Ln(III) cation size range (Ln=Lu, Y, Sm, Nd, La), exchange with the less reactive [1,2,4-(Me(3)C)(3)C(5)H(3)] was only obtained at elevated temperatures and for the larger metal centers Sm, Nd, and La. X-ray structure analyses of seven representative complexes of the type [Ln(AlMe(4))(2)(Cp(R))] reveal a similar distinct [AlMe(4)] coordination (one eta(2), one bent eta(2)). Treatment with Me(2)AlCl leads to [AlMe(4)] --> [Cl] exchange and, depending on the Al/Ln ratio and the Cp(R) ligand, varying amounts of partially and fully exchanged products [{Ln(AlMe(4))(mu-Cl)(Cp(R))}(2)] and [{Ln(mu-Cl)(2)(Cp(R))}(n)], respectively, have been identified. Complexes [{Y(AlMe(4))(mu-Cl)(C(5)Me(4)SiMe(3))}(2)] and [{Nd(AlMe(4))(mu-Cl){1,2,4-(Me(3)C)(3)C(5)H(2)}}(2)] have been characterized by X-ray structure analysis. All of the chlorinated half-sandwich complexes are inactive in isoprene polymerization. However, activation of the complexes [Ln(AlMe(4))(2)(Cp(R))] with boron-containing cocatalysts, such as [Ph(3)C][B(C(6)F(5))(4)], [PhNMe(2)H][B(C(6)F(5))(4)], or B(C(6)F(5))(3), produces initiators for the fabrication of trans-1,4-polyisoprene. The choice of rare-earth metal cation size, Cp(R) ancillary ligand, and type of boron cocatalyst crucially affects the polymerization performance, including activity, catalyst efficiency, living character, and polymer stereoregularity. The highest stereoselectivities were observed for the precatalyst/cocatalyst systems [La(AlMe(4))(2)(C(5)Me(4)SiMe(3))]/B(C(6)F(5))(3) (trans-1,4 content: 95.6 %, M(w)/M(n)=1.26) and [La(AlMe(4))(2)(C(5)Me(5))]/B(C(6)F(5))(3) (trans-1,4 content: 99.5 %, M(w)/M(n)=1.18).     

Exchange chemistry of tBu3P(CO2)B(C6F5)2Cl

Halide exchange from the species tBu(3)P(CO(2))B(C(6)F(5))(2)Cl 1 with Me(3)SiOSO(2)CF(3) gave tBu(3)P(CO(2))B(C(6)F(5))(2)(OSO(2)CF(3)) 2. Similarly, Lewis acid exchange occurs in reactions of 1 with Al(C(6)F(5))(3) and [Cp(2)TiMe][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] affording the products, tBu(3)P(CO(2))Al(C(6)F(5))(3)3 and [tBu(3)P(CO(2))TiCp(2)Cl][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] 4.     

Frustrated beta-chloride elimination. Selective arene alkylation by alpha-chloronorbornene catalyzed by electrophilic metallocenium ion pairs

Single-site polymerization catalysts generated in situ via activation of Cp*MMe(3) (Cp* = C(5)Me(5); M = Ti, Zr), (CGC)MMe(2) (CGC = C(5)Me(4)SiMe(2)NBu(t)(); M = Ti, Zr), and Cp(2)ZrMe(2) with Ph(3)C(+)B(C(6)F(5))(4)(-) catalyze alkylation of aromatic molecules (benzene, toluene) with alpha-chloronorbornene at room temperature, to regioselectively afford the 1:1 addition products exo-1-chloro-2-arylnorbornane (aryl = C(6)H(5) (1a), C(6)H(4)CH(3) (1b)) in good yields. Analogous deuterium-labeled products exo-1-chloro-2-aryl-d(n)-norbornane-7-d(1) (aryl-d(n) = C(6)D(5) (1a-d(6)), C(6)D(4)CD(3) (1b-d(8))) are obtained via catalytic arylation of alpha-chloronorbornene in either benzene-d(6) or toluene-d(8). Isolated ion-pair complexes such as (CGC)ZrMe(toluene)(+)B(C(6)F(5))(4)(-) and Cp(2)ThMe(+)B(C(6)F(5))(4)(-) also catalyze the reaction of alpha-chloronorbornene in toluene-d(8) to give 1b-d(8) in good yields, respectively. Small quantities of the corresponding bis(1-chloronorbornyl)aromatics 2 are also obtained from preparative-scale reactions. These reactions exhibit turnover frequencies exceeding 120 h(-1) (for the Cp*TiMe(3)/Ph(3)C(+)B(C(6)F(5))(4)(-)-catalyzed system), and chlorine-free products are not observed. Compounds 1 and 2 were characterized by (1)H, (2)H, (13)C, and 2D NMR, GC-MS, and elemental analysis. The aryl group exo-stereochemistry in 1a and 1b is established using (1)H-(1)H COSY, (1)H-(13)C HMBC, and (1)H-(1)H NOESY NMR, and is further corroborated by X-ray analysis of the product 1,4-bis(exo-1-chloro-2-norbornyl)benzene (2a). Control experiments and reactivity studies on each component step suggest a mechanism involving participitation of the metal electrophiles in the catalytic cycle.     

Cationic Ti(IV) and neutral Ti(III) titanocene-phosphinoaryloxide frustrated Lewis pairs: hydrogen activation and catalytic amine-borane dehydrogenation

Titanium-phosphorus frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) based on titanocene-phosphinoaryloxide complexes have been synthesised. The cationic titanium(IV) complex [Cp(2)TiOC(6)H(4)P((t)Bu)(2)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] 2 reacts with hydrogen to yield the reduced titanium(III) complex [Cp(2)TiOC(6)H(4)PH((t)Bu)(2)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] 5. The titanium(III)-phosphorus FLP [Cp(2)TiOC(6)H(4)P((t)Bu)(2)] 6 has been synthesised either by chemical reduction of [Cp(2)Ti(Cl)OC(6)H(4)P((t)Bu)(2)] 1 with [CoCp*(2)] or by reaction of [Cp(2)Ti{N(SiMe(3))(2)}] with 2-C(6)H(4)(OH){P((t)Bu)(2)}. Both 2 and 6 catalyse the dehydrogenation of Me(2)HN·BH(3).     

Borane-induced dehydration of silica and the ensuing water-catalyzed grafting of B(C6F5)3 to give a supported, single-site Lewis acid, ≡SiOB(C6F5)2

A supported, single-site Lewis acid, ≡SiOB(C(6)F(5))(2), was prepared by water-catalyzed grafting of B(C(6)F(5))(3) onto the surface of amorphous silica, and its subsequent use as a cocatalyst for heterogeneous olefin polymerization was explored. Although B(C(6)F(5))(3) has been reported to be unreactive toward silica in the absence of a Br?nsted base, we find that it can be grafted even at room temperature, albeit slowly. The mechanism was investigated by (1)H and (19)F NMR, in both the solution and solid states. In the presence of a trace amount of H(2)O, either added intentionally or formed in situ by borane-induced dehydration of silanol pairs, the adduct (C(6)F(5))(3)B·OH(2) hydrolyzes to afford C(6)F(5)H and (C(6)F(5))(2)BOH. The latter reacts with the surface hydroxyl groups of silica to yield ≡SiOB(C(6)F(5))(2) sites and regenerate H(2)O. When B(C(6)F(5))(3) is present in excess, the resulting grafted boranes appear to be completely dry, due to the eventual formation of [(C(6)F(5))(2)B](2)O. The immobilized, tri-coordinate Lewis acid sites were characterized by solid-state (11)B and (19)F NMR, IR, elemental analysis, and C(5)H(5)N-TPD. Their ability to activate two molecular C(2)H(4) polymerization catalysts, Cp(2)ZrMe(2) and an (α-iminocarboxamidato)nickel(II) complex, was explored.     

Zirconium hydrocarbyl chemisorption on sulfated metal oxides: new supports, chemisorption pathways, and implications for catalysis

The sulfated metal oxides (SMOs) sulfated stannia (SnS), sulfated iron oxide (FeS), and sulfated titanium dioxide (TiS) have been synthesized and examined as support materials/cocatalysts/activators for molecule-based olefin polymerization and hydrogenation catalysis. (13)C CPMAS NMR spectroscopic analysis of Cp(2)Zr((13)CH(3))(2)/SMO chemisorption shows that cationic zirconocenium species are formed along with varying amounts of catalytically inactive micro-oxo (Cp(2)Zr(CH(3))O-surface) species, depending on the support material. Ethylene polymerization data with the supported catalysts show that polymerization activity is dependent on both precursor ligation [Zr(CH(2)Ph)(4) > (Me(5)Cp)ZrMe(3)] and the nature of the support (SnS > FeS > TiS). Poisoning studies were performed in conjunction with ethylene polymerization, mediated by (Me(5)Cp)ZrMe(3) supported on each SMO, and reveal that, for (Me(5)Cp)ZrMe(3)/SnS, 61 +/- 5% of the Zr sites are catalytically significant, while, for (Me(5)Cp)ZrMe(3)/FeS, this quantity is 22 +/- 2%, and for (Me(5)Cp)ZrMe(3)/TiS, 63 +/- 9%. These catalysts are also active for benzene hydrogenation and are separable from liquid-phase products using physical or, in the case of FeS, magnetic techniques.     

Naked (C5Me5)2M cations (M = Sc, Ti, and V) and their fluoroarene complexes

The ionic metallocene complexes [Cp*(2)M][BPh(4)] (Cp* = C(5)Me(5)) of the trivalent 3d metals Sc, Ti, and V were synthesized and structurally characterized. For M = Sc, the anion interacts weakly with the metal center through one of the phenyl groups, but for M = Ti and V, the cations are naked. They each contain one strongly distorted Cp* ligand, with one (V) or two (Ti) agostic C-H...M interactions involving the Cp*Me groups. For Sc and Ti, these Lewis acidic species react with fluorobenzene and 1,2-difluorobenzene to yield [Cp*(2)M(kappaF-FC(6)H(5))(n)][BPh(4)] (M = Sc, n = 2; M = Ti, n = 1) and [Cp*(2)M(kappa(2)F-1,2-F(2)C(6)H(4))][BPh(4)], the first examples of kappaF-fluorobenzene and kappa(2)F-1,2-difluorobenzene adducts of transition metals. With the perfluorinated anion [B(C(6)F(5))(4)](-), both Sc and Ti form [Cp*(2)M(kappa(2)F-C(6)F(5))B(C(6)F(5))(3)] contact ion pairs. The nature of the metal-fluoroarene interaction was studied by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and by comparison with the corresponding tetrahydrofuran (THF) adducts and was found to be predominantly electrostatic for all metals studied.     

Solid-state 91Zr NMR spectroscopy studies of zirconocene olefin polymerization catalyst precursors

(91)Zr (I = 5/2) solid-state NMR (SSNMR) spectra of the zirconocene compounds, Cp(2)ZrCl(2), Cp*(2)ZrCl(2) (1), Cp(2)ZrBr(2) (2), (Me(3)SiC(5)H(4))(2)ZrBr(2) (3), O(Me(2)SiC(5)H(4))(2)ZrBr(2) (4), (1,3-C(5)H(3))(SiMe(2)OSiMe(2))(2)(1,3-C(5)H(3))ZrBr(2) (5), Ind(2)ZrCl(2) (6), Cp(2)ZrMeCl (7), Cp(2)ZrMe(2) (8), and [Cp(2)ZrMe][MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)] (9) have been acquired. Static (91)Zr SSNMR spectra have been acquired for all complexes at magnetic fields of 9.4 and 21.1 T. Cp(2)ZrCl(2) and complexes 1 to 5 possess relatively narrow central transition powder patterns which allows for magic-angle spinning (MAS) (91)Zr solid-state NMR spectra to be acquired at a moderate field strength of 9.4 T. Complexes 6 to 9 possess ultrawideline central transition SSNMR spectra necessitating piece-wise acquisition techniques. From the static and MAS (91)Zr SSNMR spectra, it is possible to measure (91)Zr electric field gradient (EFG) and chemical shift (CS) tensor parameters, as well as the Euler angles which describe their relative orientation. Basis sets and methods for the accurate quantum chemical calculation of (91)Zr EFG and CS tensors have been identified. The origin of the observed EFG and CS tensor parameters are further investigated by visualization of the EFG and CS tensor orientations within the molecular frames. Correlations between the observed and calculated NMR tensor parameters and molecular symmetry and structure are made. All of these observations suggest that (91)Zr SSNMR spectroscopy can be utilized to probe the molecular structure of a variety of homogeneous and heterogeneous olefin polymerization catalysts.     

Solution conformation and dynamics of the ion pairs originating from the reaction of B(C6F5)3 with bisindenyl dimethyl zirconium complexes

The two ion pairs [(4,7-Me(2)indenyl)(2)ZrMe](+)[MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)](-) (1 b) and [(indenyl)(2)ZrMe](+) [MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)](-) (2 b) have been generated in situ by reaction of stoichiometric B(C(6)F(5))(3) with the corresponding dimethyl zirconocenes. It has been shown that molecular mechanics computations, guided by experimental (1)H/(1)H NOE correlations, can provide information on the conformers present in solution. The dynamics of the ion pairs has also been investigated, showing the occurrence of both the processes previously characterized for this class of compounds, namely the B(C(6)F(5))(3) migration between the two methyl groups and dissociation-recombination of the whole [MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)](-) anion, the latter process being much faster than the first one (about three order of magnitude). Moreover, it has been shown that in certain conditions intermolecular processes can occur, which mimic the above-mentioned dissociative exchanges. In particular, the presence of species containing loosely bound [MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)](-) anion fastens the exchange of this anion, while the presence of free B(C(6)F(5))(3) accelerates its exchange between the two methyl sites.     

Silylation of the uranyl ion using B(C6F5)3-activated Et3SiH

Addition of 2 equiv of HSiEt(3) to UO(2)((Ar)acnac)(2) ((Ar)acnac = ArNC(Ph)CHC(Ph)O, Ar = 3,5-(t)Bu(2)C(6)H(3)) in the presence of 1 equiv of B(C(6)F(5))(3) results in formation of the U(V) bis(silyloxide) complex [U(OSiEt(3))(2)((Ar)acnac)(2)][HB(C(6)F(5))(3)] (1) in 80% yield. Also produced in the reaction, as a minor product, is U(OSiEt(3))(OB{C(6)F(5)}(3))((Ar)acnac)(2) (2). Interestingly, thermolysis of 1 at 85 °C for 24 h also results in formation of 2, concomitant with production of Et(3)SiH. Addition of 1 equiv of Cp(2)Co to 1 results in formation of U(OSiEt(3))(2)((Ar)acnac)(2) (3) and [Cp(2)Co][HB(C(6)F(5))(3)] (4), which can be isolated in 61% and 71% yields, respectively. Complexes 1-3 have been characterized by X-ray crystallography, while the solution-phase redox properties of 1 have been measured with cyclic voltammetry.