Bildung siliciumorganischer Verbindungen. 111. Die Hydrierung Si-chlorierter,C-spiroverbrückter 2,4-Disilacyclobutane mit LiAlH4 und iBu2AlH. Der Zugang zum Si8C3H20

Formation of Organosilicon Compounds. 111. The Hydrogenation of Si-chlorinated, C-spiro-linked 2,4-Disilacyclobutanes with LiAlH₄ or iBu₂AlH. The Access to Si₈C₃H₂₀ The hydrogenation of Si-chlorinated, C-spiro-linked 2,4-disilacyclobutanes containing C(SiCl₃)₂ terminal groups with LiAlH₄ in Et₂O proceeds under complete cleavage of the fourmembered rings and under elimination of one SiH₃ group. Such, Si₈C₃Cl₂₀ 4 forms (H₃Si)₂CH? SiH₂? CH(SiH₃)? SiH₂? CH(SiH₃)₂ 4 α, and even Si₈C₃H₂₀ 4a with LiAlH₄ forms 4 α. The hydrogenation of related compounds containing however CH(SiCl₃) terminal groups similarly proceeds under ring cleavage but no SiH₃ groups are eliminated. Such, (Cl₃Si)CH(SiCl₂)₂CH(SiCl₃) 41 forms (H₃Si)₂CH? SiH₂? CH₂(SiH₃) 41 α. However, in reactions with iBu₂AlH in pentane neither the disilacyclobutane rings are cleaved nor are SiH₃ groups eliminated. Only by this method Si₈C₃H₂₀ is accessible from 4 , Si₆C₂H₁₆ 3a from Si₆C₂Cl₁₆ 3 and Si₄C₂H₁₂ 41a from 41 . C(SiCl₃)₄ cleanly produces C(SiH₃)₄. Based on the knowledge about the different properties of LiAlH₄ and iBu₂AlH in hydrogenation reactions of disilacyclo-butanes it was possible to elucidate the composition and the structures of the hydrogenated derivatives of the product mixture from the reaction of MeCl₂Si? CCl₂? SiCl₃ with Si(Cu) [1] and to trace them back to the initially formed Si chlorinated disilacyclobutanes Si₆C₂Cl₁₅Me 34 , Si₆C₂Cl₁₄Me₂ 35 , Si₈C₃Cl₁₉Me 36 and Si₈C₃Cl₁₈Me₂ 37 . Compound 4a forms colourless crystals of space group P1 with a = 799.7(6), b = 1263.6(12), c = 1758.7(14) pm, α = 103.33(7)°, β = 95.28(6)°, γ = 105.57(7)° and Z = 4.     

Hydrogen‐Atom Abstraction from Methane by Stoichiometric Vanadium–Silicon Heteronuclear Oxide Cluster Cations

Vanadium–silicon heteronuclear oxide cluster cations were prepared by laser ablation of a V/Si mixed sample in an O₂ background. Reactions of the heteronuclear oxide cations with methane in a fast‐flow reactor were studied with a time‐of‐flight (TOF) mass spectrometer to detect the cluster distribution before and after the reactions. Hydrogen abstraction reactions were identified over stoichiometric cluster cations [(V₂O₅)_n(SiO₂)_m]⁺ (n=1, m=1–4; n=2, m=1), and the estimated first‐order rate constants for the reactions were close to that of the homonuclear oxide cluster V₄O₁₀⁺ with methane. Density functional calculations were performed to study the structural, bonding, electronic, and reactivity properties of these stoichiometric oxide clusters. Terminal‐oxygen‐centered radicals (O_t ^. ) were found in all of the stable isomers. These O_t ^. radicals are active sites of the clusters in reaction with CH₄. The O_t ^. radicals in [V₂O₅(SiO₂)_1–4]⁺ clusters are bonded with Si rather than V atoms. All the hydrogen abstraction reactions are favorable both thermodynamically and kinetically. This work reveals the unique properties of metal/nonmetal heteronuclear oxide clusters, and may provide new insights into CH₄ activation on silica‐supported vanadium oxide catalysts.     

Synthesis,spectral characterization,electrochemistry and catalytic activities of Cu(II) complexes of bifunctional tridentate Schiff bases containing O?N?O donors

Paramagnetic copper(II) complexes of the type [Cu(PPh₃)(L)] (where L = bifunctional tridentate Schiff bases) were synthesized from the reaction of anthranillic acid with salicylaldehyde (H₂L¹), 2‐hydroxy‐1‐naphthaldehyde (H₂L²), o‐hydroxyacetophenone (H₂L³) and o‐vanillin (H₂L⁴) with monomeric metal precursor [CuCl₂(PPh₃)₂]. The obtained complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic susceptility and spectroscopic methods (FT‐IR, UV–vis and EPR and cyclic voltammetry). EPR and redox potential studies have been carried out to elucidate the electronic structure, nature of metal–ligand bonding and electrochemical features. EPR spectra exhibit a four line pattern with nitrogen super‐hyperfine couplings originating from imine nitrogen atom. These planar complexes possess a significant amount of tetrahedral distortion leading to a pseudo‐square planar geometry, as is evidenced from EPR properties. Cyclic voltammograms of all the complexes display quasireversible oxidations, Cu(III)? Cu(II), in the range 0.31–0.45 V and reduction peaks, Cu(II)? Cu(I),in the range ?0.29 to ?0.36 V, involving a large geometrical change and irreversible. The observed redox potentials vary with respect to the size of the chelate ring of the Schiff base ligands. Further, the catalytic activity of all the complexes has been found to be high towards the oxidation of alcohols into aldehydes and ketones in the presence of N‐methylmorpholine‐N‐oxide as co‐oxidant. The formation of high valent Cu^IV?O oxo species as a catalytic intermediate is proposed for the catalytic process. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Crystallographic report: Tetraphenylphosphonium nitratobis (chlorodiphenylstannate)methane, [Ph4P]+[(Ph2ClSn)2CH2 ·NO3]−

The nitrate anion coordinates to the Sn? CH₂? Sn unit of the title phosphonium stannate, [Ph₄P]⁺ [(Ph₂ClSn)₂CH₂ ·NO₃]^?, to give a six‐membered ring having the penta‐coordinated tin atoms in a trigonal bipyramidal geometry. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Insertion Chemistry of Mixed Tether Uranium Metallocene Complexes

The synthesis of mixed tethered alkyl uranium metallocenes has been investigated by examining the reactivity of the bis(tethered alkyl) metallocene [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂‐κC)₂U] ( 1 ) with substrates that react with only one of the U? C linkages. The effect of these mixed tether coordination environments on the reactivity of the remaining U? C bond has been studied by using CO insertion chemistry. One equivalent of azidoadamantane (AdN₃) reacts with 1 to yield the mixed tethered alkyl triazenido complex [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂‐κC)U(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂‐CH₂NNN‐Ad‐κ²N^1,3)]. Similarly, a single equivalent of CS₂ reacts with 1 to form the mixed tethered alkyl dithiocarboxylate complex [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂‐κC)U(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂‐ CH₂C(S)₂‐κ²S,S′)], a reaction that constitutes the first example of CS₂ insertion into a U⁴⁺? C bond. Complex 1 reacts with one equivalent of pyridine N‐oxide by C? H bond activation of the pyridine ring to form a mixed tethered alkyl cyclometalated pyridine N‐oxide complex [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂‐κC)(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)U(C₆H₄NO‐κ²C,O)]. The remaining (η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂‐κC)^2? ligand in each of these mixed tethered species show reactivity towards CO and tethered enolate ligands form by insertion. Subsequent rearrangement have been identified in [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)U(C₅H₄NO‐κ²C,O)(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂C(?CH₂)O‐κO)] and [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂NNN‐Ad‐κ²N^1,3)U(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂C(?CH₂)O‐κO)].     

Structures and Reactivity of Oxygen‐Rich Scandium Cluster Anions ScO3–5−

Oxygen‐rich scandium cluster anions ScO_3–5^? are prepared by laser ablation and allowed to react with n‐butane in a fast‐flow reactor. A time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer is used to detect the cluster distribution before and after the reactions. The ScO₃^? and ScO₄^? clusters can react with n‐butane to produce ScO₃H^?, ScO₃H₂^?, and ScO₄H^?, while the more oxygen‐rich cluster ScO₅^? is inert. The experiment suggests that unreactive cluster isomers of ScO₃^? and ScO₄^? are also present in the cluster source. Density functional theory and ab initio methods are used to calculate the structures and reaction mechanisms of the clusters. The theoretical results indicate that the unreactive and reactive cluster isomers of ScO_3,4^? contain peroxides (O₂^2?) and oxygen‐centered radicals (O^.?), respectively. The mechanisms and energetics for conversion of unreactive O₂^2? to reactive O^.? species are also theoretically studied.     

Periphere Anbindung von Quecksilber(II)-iodid an dreikernige Molybdän-Schwefel-Dithiophosphinatocluster: [Mo3S4(R2PS2)4HgI2] (R = Et,Pr)

Peripheral Bonding of Mercury(II) Iodide to Trinuclear Molybdenum-Sulfur-Dithiophosphinato Clusters: [Mo₃S₄(R₂PS₂)₄HgI₂] (R = Et, Pr) Reaction of Mo₃S₄(R₂PS₂)₄ 1 (a : R = Et, b : R = Pr) with HgI₂ in THF yields the diamagnetic title complexes [Mo₃S₄(R₂PS₂)₄HgI₂] 3 . The crystal structure of [ 3a (H₂O)] · 2 CH₂Cl₂ shows the complexes to consist of a triangular array of Mo atoms which are bridged by μ₂? S atoms and capped by a μ₃? S atom. Each of the Mo atoms is chelated by a dithiophosphinato ligand Et₂PS₂^? and in addition two Mo atoms are bridged by a Et₂PS₂^? ligand while the H₂O molecule is bonded weakly to the third Mo atom. Thus, all Mo atoms reveal a distorted octahedral coordination sphere. HgI₂ is ?peripherally”? bonded to the cluster via two S atoms, one of which belongs to a chelating ligand and the other one to the bridging ligand. Space group P1 , lattice constants a = 12.157(2), b = 15.284(3), c = 16.049(3) Å, α = 115.56(1), β = 107.35(1), and γ = 94.62(1)°; Z = 2, d_calc = 2.23 mg/mm³; 4 236 observed reflections, R = 0.068. In organic solvents complexes 3 are strong electrolytes. VT-³¹P NMR data suggest a stepwise dissociation of 3 with formation of [Mo₃S₄(R₂PS₂)₃] ⁺[(R₂PS₂)HgI₂]^? and elimination of the bridging ligand from the cluster.     

Synthese und Kristallstruktur eines μ-Methylen-μ-hydrido-dialanats [R2Al(μ-CH2)(μ-H)AlR2]− (R = CH(SiMe3)2)

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a μ-Methylene-μ-hydrido-dialanate [R₂Al(μ-CH₂)(μ-H)AlR₂]^? (R = CH(SiMe₃)₂) tert-Butyl lithium reacts with the recently synthesized methylene bridged dialuminium compound [(Me₃Si)₂CH]₂Al? CH₂? Al[CH(SiMe₃)₂]₂ 2 in the presence of TMEDA under β-elimination; the thereby formed hydride anion is bound in a chelating manner by both unsaturated aluminium atoms forming a 3c–2e–Al? H? Al bond. The crystal structure of the product shows two independent molecules differing only slightly in bond lengths and angles, but significantly in conformation. While one of the Al₂CH heterocycles deviates little from planarity with a rough C₂ symmetry for the whole anion, the other one is folded with an angle of 21.1° and the arrangement of the substituents is best described by C_s symmetry.     

C−−H activation on aluminum-vanadium bimetallic oxide cluster anions

Aluminum–vanadium bimetallic oxide cluster anions (BMOCAs) have been prepared by laser ablation and reacted with ethane and n‐butane in a fast‐flow reactor. A time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer was used to detect the cluster distribution before and after the reactions. The observation of hydrogen‐containing products AlVO₅H^? and Al_xV_4?xO_11?xH^? (x=1–3) strongly suggests that AlVO₅^? and Al_xV_4?xO_11?x^? (x=1–3) can react with ethane and n‐butane by means of an oxidative dehydrogenation process at room temperature. Density functional theory studies have been carried out to investigate the structural, bonding, electronic, and reactive properties of these BMOCAs. Terminal‐oxygen‐centered radicals (O_t^.) were found in all of the reactive clusters, and the O_t^. atoms, which prefer to be bonded with Al rather than V atoms, are the active sites of these clusters. All the hydrogen‐abstraction reactions are favorable both thermodynamically and kinetically. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of hydrogen‐atom abstraction by BMOCAs and may shed light on understanding the mechanisms of C? H activation on the surface of alumina‐supported vanadia catalysts.     

Stepwise Degradation of Trifluoromethyl Platinum(II) Compounds

The action of moisture on the homoleptic organoplatinum(II) compound [NBu₄]₂[Pt(CF₃)₄] ( 1 ) gives rise to the carbonyl derivative [NBu₄][Pt(CF₃)₃(CO)] ( 2 ), which is itself moisture stable. However, treatment of compound 2 with HCl(aq) results in the formation of [NBu₄][cis‐Pt(CF₃)₂Cl(CO)] ( 3 ), which undergoes degradation of an additional CF₃ group by further treatment with HCl(aq) in large excess, affording [NBu₄][cis‐Pt(CF₃)Cl₂(CO)] ( 4 ). The carbonyl derivatives 2 – 4 are fairly stable species, in which the CO ligand, however, can be readily extruded by reaction with trimethylamine N‐oxide (ONMe₃). Thus, compound 2 reacts with ONMe₃ in the presence of a number of neutral or anionic ligands affording a series of singly or doubly charged derivatives with the general formulae [NBu₄][Pt(CF₃)₃(L)] [L=CNtBu ( 5 ), PPh₃ ( 6 ), P(o‐tolyl)₃ ( 7 ), tht ( 8 ; tht=tetrahydrothiophene)] and [NBu₄]₂[Pt(CF₃)₃X] [X=Cl ( 9 ), Br ( 10 ), I ( 11 )], respectively. Compound 2 also reacts with ONMe₃ and pyridin‐2‐thiol (C₅H₅NS) giving rise to the five‐membered metallacyclic derivative [NBu₄][Pt(CF₃)₂(CF₂NC₅H₄S‐κC,κS)] ( 12 ), which can be viewed as a difluorocarbene species stabilized by intramolecular base coordination. On the other hand, treatment of compound 3 with ONMe₃ in the presence of C₅H₅NS yields the four‐membered metallacyclic compound [NBu₄][Pt(CF₃)₂(NC₅H₄S‐κN,κS)] ( 13 ). The geometries of the metallacycles in compounds 12 and 13 are compared. In the absence of any additional ligand, compound 3 undergoes dimerization producing the dinuclear species [NBu₄]₂[{Pt(CF₃)₂}₂(μ‐Cl)₂] ( 14 ). Halide abstraction in the latter compound with AgClO₄ in THF yields the solvento compound cis‐[Pt(CF₃)₂(thf)₂] ( 15 ). The highly labile character of the THF ligands in compound 15 makes this species a convenient synthon of the “cis‐Pt(CF₃)₂” unit.     

RhIII‐Catalyzed C?H Activation: A Versatile Route towards Various Polycyclic Pyridinium Salts

An efficient and convenient method for the synthesis of highly substituted polycyclic pyridinium salts from the reaction of various 2‐aryl‐pyridines and 2‐aryl‐sp²‐nitrogen‐atom‐containing heterocycles with alkynes through rhodium(III)‐catalyzed C? H activation and annulation under an O₂ atmosphere is described. A possible mechanism that involves the chelation‐assisted C? H activation of the 2‐aryl‐pyridine substrate, insertion of the alkyne, and reductive elimination is proposed. This mechanism was supported by the isolation of a five‐membered rhodacycle ( I′ ). In addition, kinetic isotope studies were performed to understand the intimate reaction mechanism.     

Electrodeposition mechanism of Ni?Mo?P alloy in the solution of ammoniac citrate

The induced codeposition mechanism of Mo, P and Ni from the solution of ammoniac citrate was studied by means of steady-state polarization, AC impedance and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The result of electrochemical measurements proved that [NiCit(NHs)₂]- is the electro-active species of nickel, though nickel ions exist mainly as [NiCit(NH₃)₃]^? in ammoniac citrate. XPS experiments proved the existence of tetravalent molybdenum corresponding to MoO₂ on the surface of mme deposits. The intermediate product, MoO₂, WM probably reduced to Mo in the alloy deposit by atomic hydrogen adsorbed on the induced metal nickel. The reduction of H₂PO^?₂ occurs through two distinctive steps with PH₃ an an intermediate, which subsequently reacts with atomic hydrogen to form P in the alloy deposit. The electrodeposition mechanism was proposed in this paper.     

Mechanistic Study on the Cleavage and Reorganization of C(sp3)?H and CN Bonds in Carbodiimides: Synthesis of 1,2‐Dihydrothiopyrimidines and 2,3‐Dihydropyrimidinthiones through Four‐Component Coupling

This study sheds light on the cleavage and reorganization of C(sp³)? H and C?N bonds of carbodiimides in a three‐component reaction of terminal alkynes, sulfur, and carbodiimides by a combination of methods including 1) isolation and X‐ray analysis of six‐membered‐ring lithium species 2‐S , 2) trapping of the oxygen‐analogues ( B‐O and D‐O ) of both four‐membered‐ring intermediate B‐S and ring‐opening intermediate D‐S , 3) deuterium labeling studies, and 4) theoretical studies. These results show that 1) the reaction rate‐determining step is [2+2] cycloaddition, 2) the C?N bond cleavage takes place before C(sp³)? H bond cleavage, 3) the hydrogen attached to C6 in 2‐S originates from the carbodiimide, and 4) three types of new aza‐heterocycles, such as 1,2‐dihydrothiopyrimidines, N‐acyl 2,3‐dihydropyrimidinthiones, and 1,2‐dihydropyrimidinamino acids are constructed efficiently based on 2‐S . All results strongly support the idea that the reaction proceeds through [2+2] cycloaddition/4π electrocyclic ring‐opening/1,5‐H shift/6π electrocyclic ring‐closing as key steps. The research strategy on the synthesis, isolation, and reactivity investigation of important intermediates in metal‐mediated reactions not only helps achieve an in‐depth understanding of reaction mechanisms but also leads to the discovery of new synthetically useful reactions based on the important intermediates.     

Bonding in titanocenyl complexes containing O,O′‐cyclic ligands

Density functional theory calculations show that the formal 16‐electron count of d⁰ [Cp₂Ti^IV(O,O′‐BID)]^0/1 complexes containing a O,O′‐chelated bidentate ligand O,O′‐BID of different ring size, is increased via Ti←O π bonding when both the O donor atoms carry a formal negative charge. The Ti←O π bonding occurs by symmetry lowering of the complex by either symmetrical (C_s) or unsymmetrical (C₂) folding of the O,O′‐BID ligand round the O···O axis. An NBO analysis confirms the Ti←O π charge transfer via back‐bonding. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

Untersuchungen zum Zustandsbarogramm und Schmelzdiagramm der Systeme BiI3?HgI2 und BiI3?I2

Investigations on the Barogram and Melting Diagram of the Systems BiI₃? HgI₂ and BiI₃? I₂ The barograms of the systems BiI₃? HgI₂ and BiI₃? I₂ are determined by total pressure measurements in a membrane manometer. The melting diagrams follow from DTA measurements and the barogram. Both systems are eutectic with eutectica at 1.5 mol% BiI₃ and 110°C for BiI₃? I₂ and 9 mol% BiI₃ and 243°C for BiI₃? HgI₂.     

Surface Characterization and the Gas Response of a Mixed,Fe2O3?Fe2(MoO4)3, Oxide to Low Concentrations of H2S in Air

The preparation and H₂S sensing potential of thick‐films of a mixed oxide, Fe₂O₃? Fe₂(MoO₄)₃, were investigated. A Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) study confirmed the existence of sulfur species at the surface after the interaction of H₂S gas with the mixed oxide. The starting material, β‐FeMoO₄, was synthesized by a solvothermal method, followed by supercritical drying. Heat treatment of this material (oxidation) above 500 °C resulted in the formation of Fe₂O₃? Fe₂(MoO₄)₃ mixed oxide, where Fe₂O₃ was a by‐product. An increase in the conductivity of the films in the presence of H₂S gas (concentration range 1–20 ppm in air) was observed with the simultaneous formation of water and sulfide ions at 225 °C. An improvement of the H₂S sensing potential is obtained, using an intermediate short heat treatment at higher temperature (500 °C) in the beginning of recovery (desorption) phase. This intermediate high temperature, used before every expected exposure to H₂S gas, may contribute the formation of an initial surface coverage of O^2?.     

Aldehyde‐Assisted Hydrogen Transfer during the Formation of Hydride–Iridafurans from Alkynes and Aldehydes

The bis(ethylene) Ir^I complex [TpIr(C₂H₄)₂] ( 1 ; Tp=hydrotris(3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) reacts with two equivalents of aromatic or aliphatic aldehydes in the presence of one equivalent of dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) with ultimate formation of hydride iridafurans of the formula [TpIr(H){C(R¹)?C(R²)C(R³)O }] (R¹=R²=CO₂Me; R³=alkyl, aryl; 3 ). Several intermediates have been observed in the course of the reaction. It is proposed that the key step of metallacycle formation is a C? C coupling process in the undetected Ir^I species [TpIr{η¹‐O‐R³C(?O)H}(DMAD)] ( A ) to give the trigonal‐bipyramidal 16 e^? Ir^III intermediates [TpIr{C(CO₂Me)?C(CO₂Me)C(R³)(H)O }] ( C ), which have been trapped by NCMe to afford the adducts 11 (R³=Ar). If a second aldehyde acts as the trapping reagent for these species, this ligand acts as a shuttle in transfering a hydrogen atom from the γ‐ to the α‐carbon atom of the iridacycle through the formation of an alkoxide group. Methyl propiolate (MP) can be used instead of DMAD to regioselectively afford the related iridafurans. These reactions have also been studied by DFT calculations.     

Tautomerisation of 2‐Substituted Pyridines to N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands Induced by the 16 e− Unsaturated [TpMe2IrIII(C6H5)2] Moiety

The complex [Tp^Me2Ir(C₆H₅)₂(N₂)] reacts with several 2‐substituted pyridines to generate N‐heterocyclic carbenes resulting from a formal 1,2‐hydrogen shift from C₆ to N. In this paper we provide a detailed report of the scope and the mechanistic aspects (both experimental and theoretical) of the tautomerisation of 2‐substituted pyridines.     

Theoretical Elucidation of the Mechanism of Cleavage of the Aromatic C?C Bond in Quinoxaline by a Tungsten‐Based Complex [W(PMe3)4(η2‐CH2PMe2)H]

The aromatic C? C bond cleavage by a tungsten complex reported recently by Sattler and Parkin 15 offers fresh opportunities for the functionalization of organic molecules. The mechanism of such a process has not yet been determined, which appeals to computational assistance to understand how the unstrained C? C bond is activated at the molecular level. 16 , 17 In this work, by performing density functional theory calculations, we studied various possible mechanisms of cleavage of the aromatic C? C bond in quinoxaline (QoxH) by the W‐based complex [W(PMe₃)₄(η²‐CH₂PMe₂)H]. The calculated results show that the mechanism proposed by Sattler and Parkin involves an overall barrier of as high as 42.0 kcal mol^?1 and thus does not seem to be consistent with the experimental observation. Alternatively, an improved mechanism has been presented in detail, which involves the removal and recoordination of a second PMe₃ ligand on the tungsten center. In our new mechanism, it is proposed that the C? C cleavage occurs prior to the second C? H bond addition, in contrast to Sattler and Parkin’s mechanism in which the C? C bond is broken after the second C? H bond addition. We find that the rate‐determining step of the reaction is the ring‐opening process of the tungsten complex with an activation barrier of 28.5 kcal mol^?1 after the first PMe₃ ligand dissociation from the metal center. The mono‐hydrido species is located as the global minimum on the potential‐energy surface, which is in agreement with the experimental observation for this species. The present theoretical results provide new insight into the mechanism of the remarkable C? C bond cleavage.     

Synthesis of polyethylene‐octene elastomer/SiO2‐TiO2 nanocomposites via in situ polymerization: Properties and characterization of the hybrid

In this study, a silicic acid and tetra isopropyl ortho titanate ceramic precursor and a metallocene polyethylene‐octene elastomer (POE) or acrylic acid grafted metallocene polyethylene‐octene elastomer (POE‐g‐AA) were used in the preparation of hybrids (POE/SiO₂? TiO₂ and POE‐g‐AA/SiO₂? TiO₂) using an in situ sol‐gel process, with a view to identifying a hybrid with improved thermal and mechanical properties. Hybrids were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ²⁹Si solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry analysis, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, and Instron mechanical testing. Properties of the POE‐g‐AA/SiO₂? TiO₂ hybrid were superior to those of the POE/SiO₂? TiO₂ hybrid. This was because the carboxylic acid groups of acrylic acid acted as coordination sites for the silica‐titania phase to allow the formation of stronger chemical bonds. ²⁹Si solid‐state NMR showed that Si atoms coordinated around SiO₄ units were predominantly Q₃ and Q₄. The 10 wt % SiO₂? TiO₂ hybrids gave the maximum values of tensile strength and glass transition temperature in both POE/SiO₂? TiO₂ and POE‐g‐AA/SiO₂? TiO₂. It is proposed that above this wt %, excess SiO₂? TiO₂ particles caused separation between the organic and inorganic phases. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1690–1701, 2005