Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic properties of new half-sandwich zirconium(IV) complexes

A number of new half-sandwich zirconium(IV) complexes bearing N,N-dimethylaniline-amido ligands with the general formula Cp*ZrCl(2)[ortho-(RNCH(2))(Me(2)N)C(6)H(4)] [R = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3) (1), 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3) (2), (i)Pr (3), (t)Bu (4)] were synthesized by the reaction of Cp*ZrCl(3) with the corresponding ortho-(Me(2)N)C(6)H(4)CH(2)NRLi. All new zirconium complexes were characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR, elemental analyses and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The molecular structural analysis reveals that the NMe(2) group does not coordinate to the zirconium atom in all cases. Complexes 1-4 all have a pseudo-tetrahedral coordination environment in their solid state structures and adopt a three-legged piano stool geometry for the zirconium atoms with the amide N atom and the two Cl atoms being the three legs and the Cp* ring being the seat. Variable-temperature (1)H NMR experiments for all complexes 1-4 were performed to investigate the possible intramolecular interaction between the N atom in the NMe(2) group and the central zirconium atom in solution. Upon activation with Al(i)Bu(3) and Ph(3)CB(C(6)F(5))(4), complexes 1-4 all exhibit moderate to good catalytic activity for ethylene polymerization and copolymerization with 1-hexene, producing linear polyethylene or poly(ethylene-co-1-hexene) with moderate molecular weight and reasonable 1-hexene incorporation.     

HOMO- AND COPOLYMERIZATION OF ETHYLENE CATALYZED BY ANSA-METALLOCENES WITH DOUBLY HETERO-BRIDGES

Three ansa-metallocenes(Me_2C)(Me_2Si)Cp_2TiCl_2(1),[(CH_2)_5C](Me_2Si)Cp_2TiCl_2 (2)and (Me_2C)(Me_2Si)Cp_2ZrCl_2 (3)with larger dihedral angles and longer distance from metal to the center of Cp planes were synthesized and used as catalysts for ethylene polymerization in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO).In the case of ethylene polymerization,compared the feature structures of unbridged metallocenes, singly bridged metallocenes and doubly bridged metallocenes 1,2,3,there exhibit the relationship ...     

柄型金属有机化合物(V)——锗桥连茚基及取代茚基锆化合物的合成及催化烯烃聚合

锗桥连茚及取代茚配体相继与丁基锂及ＺｒＣｌ４作用,生成锗桥连茚基及取代茚基锆化合物Ｍｅ２Ｇｅ(２－Ｒ１－４－Ｒ２－Ｉｎｄ)２ＺｒＣｌ２[Ｒ１＝Ｒ２＝Ｈ(１);Ｒ１＝Ｍｅ,Ｒ２＝Ｈ(２);Ｒ１＝Ｍｅ,Ｒ２＝Ｐｈ(３)]．化合物１－３均为内消旋和外消旋异构体的混合物,通过多次重结晶得到化合物１和２的纯外消旋异构体及化合物３的内消旋异构体．由元素分析和１Ｈ ＮＭＲ谱表征了化合物的分子结构．研究了在甲基铝氧烷(ＭＡＯ)的助催化下,化合物１－３对乙烯和丙烯聚合的催化性能．由锗桥连茚基化合物１－３得到的聚乙烯的分子量分布比一般茂金属催化剂略宽．内消旋和外消旋异构体的混合物(３)由于两个催化活性中心不等同而使得到的聚乙烯的分子量分布相当宽．外消旋异构体１和２催化丙烯聚合得到高等规聚丙烯．     

Binuclear half-metallocene chromium(III) complexes mediated ethylene polymerization with alkylaluminium as cocatalyst

Binuclear half-metallocene chromium complexes {Cp*[3-(CH==NR)-2-O-C(10)H(5)]CrCl}(2) [Cp* = C(5)Me(5); R = (i)Pr (1), Ph (2), 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3) (3)] based on 1,1'-binaphthyl ligands, as well as their mononuclear analogues Cp*[3-(CH==NR)-2'-R'-2-O-C(20)H(11)]CrCl [R = (i)Pr, R' = (n)BuO (4), R = Ph, R' = (n)BuO (5), R = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3), R' = (n)BuO (6), R = (i)Pr, R' = H (7)], were synthesized and characterized by mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, magnetic measurement, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The molecular structures of complexes 1, 3, 5 and 6 were further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis. When activated with a small amount of AlMe(3), these binuclear complexes exhibited higher activities in catalyzing ethylene polymerization in comparison with their mononuclear analogues, affording high molecular weight polymers with unimodal molecular weight distributions. The highest activity up to 2.87 × 10(6) g PE (mol Cr)(-1) h(-1) was achieved in the catalyst system of complex 3 bearing a bulky 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3) group on the imine nitrogen atom in the presence of 25 equiv. AlMe(3) as activator at 20 °C. (13)C NMR analysis indicates the resultant polymers are linear and no evidence on branch was found.     

Synthesis, structural characterization, catalytic properties, and theoretical study of compounds containing an Al-O-M (M = Ti, Hf) core

Two single oxygen-bridged heterobimetallic oxides of Al(III) with group 4 metals (Ti, Hf) have been prepared. The reaction of LAlMeOH (1) [L = CH(N(Ar)(CMe))2, Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3] with dimethylmetallocenes of Ti and Hf in toluene (80 degrees C) and ether (room temperature), respectively, resulted in the formation of LAl(Me)(mu-O)M(Me)Cp2 [M = Ti (2), Hf (3)] in moderate to good yield. Compounds 2 and 3 were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, NMR (1H and 13C), EI-MS, and single-crystal X-ray structural analysis. Furthermore, compound 2 showed good catalytic activity in ethylene and styrene homopolymerization, while compound 3 is less active in ethylene polymerization. The styrene polymerization yields atactic polystyrene.     

A case for asymmetric hydrozirconation

Hydrozirconation of cis-2-butene with Cp*ZrHCl[N(t-Bu)C(Me)N(Et)], generated in situ through hydrogenolysis of Cp*ZrCl(SiMe2Ph)[N(t-Bu)C(Me)N(Et)] (5), proceeds in high yield to produce a 1:2 mixture of the kinetically stable, diastereomeric sec-butyl complexes, 3a and 3b. Hydrozirconation of trans-2-butene under identical conditions provides a 2:1 mixture of 3a and 3b. Isolation of diastereomerically pure 3a was achieved through reaction of Cp*ZrCl2[N(t-Bu)C(Me)N(Et)] (4) with sec-butyllithium to provide a 2:1 ratio of 3a and 3b, followed by fractional crystallization. Crystallographic analysis of 3a establishes the relative configuration of the sec-butyl group with respect to the chiral zirconium center, thereby permitting construction of diastereomeric transition states that explain the origin of high face selectivity in the hydrozirconation of cis-2-butene. Finally, both iodinative zirconium-carbon bond cleavage and insertion of tert-butyl isocyanide into the zirconium-carbon bond of the sec-butyl group of 3a were found to proceed in high yield and with retention of the secondary alkyl structure. Together, these results provide a critical platform upon which efforts directed toward the asymmetric hydrozirconation of alkenes can be based.     

双组分茂金属催化剂催化乙烯聚合的研究

选择能形成支链的不对称桥联茂金属化合物Me2 C[(Cp) (Ind) ]ZrCl2 和非桥联的不同结构的茂金属化合物二氯二 (烯基取代环戊二烯 )锆如 ( Cp) 2 ZrCl2 ,(Cp) 2 ZrCl2 和 (Cp) 2 ZrCl2 ,以MAO为助催化剂 ,分别组成三组双组分茂金属催化剂的催化体系 ,催化乙烯聚合 .结果表明 ,两类催化剂组成的双组分茂金属催化体系催化乙烯聚合能得到支化的宽分子量分布的聚乙烯 ;聚合温度和改变两种茂金属催化剂的摩尔比对催化活性和分子量有很大影响 .因此可以利用改变双组分茂金属催化剂的摩尔比例和聚合温度来调控聚合物的分子量和分子量分布 .改变两种茂金属催化剂的摩尔比和聚合温度也能使聚合物的结晶度发生改变     

Copolymerization of ethylene with cyclohexene (CHE) catalyzed by nonbridged half-titanocenes containing aryloxo ligand: notable effect of both cyclopentadienyl and anionic donor ligand for efficient CHE incorporation

Cyclohexene (CHE) has been incorporated into the polymer chain in ethylene/CHE copolymerization by nonbridged half-titanocenes containing aryloxo ligands of the type, Cp'TiCl2(O-2,6-iPr2C6H3), in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) cocatalyst. The effect of the substituent in the cyclopentadienyl fragment was found to be very important for CHE incorporation; both the tert-BuCp (3) and 1,2,4-Me3Cp analogues (4) showed efficient CHE incorporation, whereas a negligible amount of CHE incorporation was observed by both the indenyl (1) and the Cp* analogue (2) under the same conditions. Cp-ketimide analogue, CpTiCl2(N=CtBu2) (5), zirconocene-like Cp2ZrCl2 (6), and linked half-titanocene-like [Me2Si(C5Me4)(NtBu)]TiCl2 (7) did not show any CHE incorporation under the same conditions; unique characteristics for using this type of catalyst precursor for the present copolymerization have thus been emphasized.     

Synthesis, structural characterization, and theoretical investigation of compounds containing an Al-O-M-O-Al (M=Ti, Zr) core

We report a facile route to the first molecular compounds with the Al-O-M-O-Al (M=Ti, Zr) structural motif. Synthesis of L(Me)Al(mu-O)M(NMe2)2(mu-O)Al(Me)L [L=CH{N(Ar)(CMe)}2, Ar=2,6-iPr2C6H3; M=Ti (7), Zr (8)] was accomplished by reacting the monometallic hydroxide precursor L(Me)Al(OH) (1) with Ti(NMe2)4 or Zr(NMe2)4 under elimination of Me2NH in good yield. The crystal structural data confirm the trimetallic Al-O-M-O-Al core in both 7 and 8. Preliminary investigation on catalytic activity of these complexes reveals low activity of these complexes in ethylene polymerization as compared to the related oxygen-bridged metallocene-based heterobimetallic complexes L(Me)Al(mu-O)M(Me)Cp2 (M=Ti, Zr) which could be attributed to the relatively lower stability of the supposed cationic intermediate as revealed by DFT calculations.     

Cyclocopolymerization: a mechanistic probe for dual-site alternating copolymerization of ethylene and alpha-olefins

The copolymerization of ethylene with 1,5-hexadiene or 1-hexene was studied with the series of ansa-metallocenes Me2Si(Cp)(9-Flu)ZrCl2 (1), Me2Si(1-Ind)(9-Flu)ZrCl2 (3), and Me2Si(9-Flu)2ZrCl2 (4). 1,5-Hexadiene, a monomer which requires two insertion events to be cyclopolymerized, when copolymerized with ethylene using 3/MAO, gave a copolymer with a novel architecture. When compared with the copolymerization of 1-hexene with ethylene, the observed striking differences between the two copolymers provided compelling evidence for a dual-site alternating copolymerization mechanism in both cases. The copolymerization results from 1/MAO and 4/MAO further support this.     

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.     

Mononuclear aluminum hydroxide for the design of well-defined homogeneous catalysts

An unprecedented aluminum hydroxide LAlMe(OH) (5; L = HC[(CMe)(2,6-iPr2C6H3N)]2) has been prepared by the hydrolysis of LAlMeCl (4). For the preparation of 5, the reagents of KOH, water, and KH, as well as the two-phase ammonia/toluene system, were used. Further reactions of 5 with Cp2ZrMe2 (8) and Cp2ZrHCl in toluene lead to the intermolecular elimination of CH4 and H2 and the formation of mu-O-bridged dinuclear aluminum and zirconium complexes [LAlMe(mu-O)ZrMeCp2] (6) and [LAlMe(mu-O)ZrClCp2] (7), respectively, in high yields. The crystal structure reveals that 5 is a monomer with terminal OH and Me groups. The X-ray structure analysis shows that 6 and 7 contain a bent Al-(mu-O)-Zr core with terminal Al-Me and Zr-Me or Zr-Cl arrangements. The methylalumoxane (MAO)-activated compounds 6 and 7 exhibit high catalytic activity for the polymerization of ethylene. Under comparable polymerization conditions, the MAO/6 and MAO/7 catalyst systems show considerably higher activity and much lower MAO:catalyst ratios than that of MAO/8.     

Structures and reactivity of Zr(IV) chlorobenzene complexes

The synthesis, structures, and unusual reactivity of (C5R5)2ZrR'(ClPh)+ chlorobenzene complexes are described. The reaction of (C5R5)2ZrR'2 with [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] in C6D5Cl affords [(C5R5)2ZrR'(ClC6D5)][B(C6F5)4] chlorobenzene complexes (1-d5, R' = CH2Ph and (C5R5)2 = (C5H5)2; 2a-d-d5, R' = Me and (C5R5)2 = rac-(1,2-ethylene(bis)indenyl) (2a), (C5H5)2 (2b), (C5H4Me)2 (2c), (C5Me5)2 (2d, C5Me5 = Cp*)). Complexes 1 and 2b,c are thermally robust but are converted to [{(C5R5)2Zr(mu-Cl)}2][B(C6F5)4]2 (4b,c) by a photochemical process in ClPh solution. In contrast, 2d undergoes facile thermal ortho-C-H activation to yield [Cp*2Zr(eta2-C,Cl-2-Cl-C6H4)][B(C6F5)4] (5), which slowly rearranges to [(eta4,eta1-C5Me5C6H4)Cp*ZrCl][B(C6F5)4] (6) via beta-Cl elimination and benzyne insertion into a Zr-CCp* bond. The higher thermal reactivity of 2d versus that of 1 and 2b,c is attributed to steric crowding associated with the Cp* ligands of 2d, which forces a ClPh ortho-hydrogen close to the Zr-Me group.     

Olefin polymerization by (cyclopentadienyl)(ketimide)titanium(IV) complexes of the type, Cp′TiCl2(N=CBu2)-methylaluminoxane (MAO) catalyst systems

Effects of substituents on cyclopentadienyl group for homopolymerization of ethylene, 1-hexene, and for ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization using a series of nonbridged (cyclopentadienyl)(ketimide)titanium complexes of the type, Cp′TiCl₂(N=C^tBu₂) [Cp′ = Cp (1), ^tBuC₅H₄ (2), C₅Me₅ (Cp^*, 3), and indenyl (4)] have been explored in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) cocatalyst. Complexes 1–3 showed the similar catalytic activities for ethylene polymerization although the activity by 4 was somewhat low, whereas the activity for 1-hexene polymerization increased in the order 1 > 4 2 > 3. These complexes showed significant activities for ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization affording high molecular weight poly(ethylene-co-1-hexene)s with unimodal molecular weight distributions, and the activity increased in the order: 4 > 1 2, 3. The r_Er_H values in the polymerization by 1–3 at 40 °C were 0.35–0.52 which clearly indicate that the 1-hexene incorporation in the copolymerization did not proceed in a random manner. The r_E values by 1–3 were 6.0–6.4 and the values were independent upon the cyclopentadienyl fragment employed; the r_E values by 4 at 40 °C were 10.2–10.9 which were close to those by ansa-metallocene complex catalysts. These values were influenced by the polymerization temperature, and the 1-hexene incorporation by 1–4 became inefficient at higher temperature, although the observed activities especially by 1, 4 were highly remarkable.     

Mixed-ligand uranyl(V) beta-diketiminate/beta-diketonate complexes: synthesis and characterization

The reaction of [UO 2(Ar 2nacnac)Cl] 2 [Ar 2nacnac = (2,6- (i)Pr 2C 6H 3)NC(Me)CHC(Me)N(2,6- (i)Pr 2C 6H 3)] with Na(RC(O)CHC(O)R) (R = Me, Ph, CF 3) in tetrahydrofuran results in the formation of UO 2(Ar 2nacnac)(RC(O)CHC(O)R) (R = Me, 1; Ph, 2; CF 3, 3), which can be isolated in moderate yields. The structures of 1 and 2 have been confirmed by X-ray crystallography, while the solution redox properties of 1- 3 have been measured by cyclic voltammetry. Complexes 1- 3 exhibit reduction features at -1.82, -1.59, and -1.39 V (vs Fc/Fc (+)), respectively, at a scan rate of 100 mV.s (-1). The decrease in the reduction potential follows the electron-withdrawing ability of each beta-diketonate ligand. Chemical reduction of 1 and 2 with Cp* 2Co in toluene yields [Cp* 2Co][UO 2(Ar 2nacnac)(RC(O)CHC(O)R)] (R = Me, 4; Ph, 5), while reduction of 3 with Cp 2Co provides [Cp 2Co][UO 2(Ar 2nacnac)(CF 3C(O)CHC(O)CF 3)] ( 6). Complexes 4- 6 have been fully characterized, while the solid-state molecular structure of 5 has also been determined. In contrast to the clean reduction that occurs with Cp* 2Co, reduction of 1 with sodium ribbon, followed by cation exchange with [NEt 4]Cl, produces [NEt 4][UO 2(Ar 2nacnac)(H 2CC(O)CH(O)CMe)] ( 7) in modest yield. This product results from the formal loss of H (*) from a methyl group of the acetylacetonate ligand. Alternately, complex 7 can be synthesized by deprotonation of 1 with NaNTMS 2 in good yield.     

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).     

Synthesis, characterization, and marked polymerization selectivity characteristics of binuclear phenoxyiminato organozirconium catalysts

The new binuclear phenoxyiminato zirconium complex {1,7-(O)2C10H4-2,7-[CH=N(2,6-iPr2C6H3)]2}Zr2Cl6(THF)2 (FI2-Zr2) polymerizes ethylene with greater activity (approximately 8x) than the mononuclear analogue. Also, this catalyst produces high molecular weight ethylene + 1-hexene copolymers, while the mononuclear analogue yields only traces of copolymer under identical conditions. This ability to produce copolymers suggests cooperativity between the two Zr centers which promotes 1-hexene co-enchainment.     

Divalent dirhodium imido complexes: formation, structure, and alkyne cycloaddition reactivity

Dirhodium amido complexes [(Cp*Rh)2(mu2-NHPh)(mu2-X)] (X = NHPh (2), Cl (3), OMe (4); Cp* = eta5-C5Me5) were prepared by chloride displacement of [Cp*Rh(mu2-Cl)]2 (1) and have been used as precursors to a dirhodium imido species [Cp*Rh(mu2-NPh)RhCp*]. The imido species can be trapped by PMe3 to give the adduct [Cp*Rh(mu2-NPh)Rh(PMe3)Cp*] (5) and undergoes a formal [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction with unactivated alkynes to give the azametallacycles [Cp*Rh(mu2-eta2:eta3-R1CCR2NPh)RhCp*] (R1 = R2 = Ph (6a), R1 = H, R2 = t-Bu (6b), R1 = H, R2 = p-tol (6c)). Isolation of a relevant unsaturated imido complex [Cp*Rh(mu2-NAr)RhCp*] (7) was achieved by the use of a sterically hindered LiNHAr (Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) reagent in a metathesis reaction with 1. X-ray structures of 2, 6a, 7 and the terminal isocyanide adduct [Cp*Rh(mu2-NAr)Rh(t-BuNC)Cp*] (8) are reported.     

Synthesis of vanadium(III) complexes bearing iminopyrrolyl ligands and their role as thermal robust ethylene (co)polymerization catalysts

Bis(imino)pyrrolyl vanadium(III) complexes 2a-e [2,5-C(4)H(2)N(CH=NR)(2)]VCl(2)(THF)(2) [R = C(6)H(5) (2a), 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3) (2b), 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3) (2c), 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2) (2d), C(6)F(5) (2e)] and bis(iminopyrrolyl) vanadium(III) complex 4f [C(4)H(3)N(CH=N-2,6-(i)PrC(6)H(3))](2)VCl(THF) have been prepared in good yields from VCl(3)(THF)(3) by treating with 1.0 and 2.0 equivalent deprotonated ligands in tetrahydrofuran (THF), respectively. These complexes were characterized by FTIR and mass spectra as well as elemental analysis. Structures of 2c and 4f were further confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. DFT calculations indicated the configurations of 2a-e with two nitrogen atoms of the chelating ligand coordinating with vanadium metal centre were more stable in energy. These complexes were employed as catalysts for ethylene polymerization at various reaction conditions. On activation with Et(2)AlCl, these complexes exhibited high catalytic activities (up to 22.2 kg mmol(-1)(V) h(-1) bar(-1)) even at high temperature, suggesting these catalysts possessed remarkable thermal stability. Moreover, high molecular weight polymer with unimodal molecular weight distributions can be obtained, indicating the polymerization took place in a single-site nature. The copolymerizations of ethylene and 1-hexene with precatalysts 2a-e and 4f were also explored in the presence of Et(2)AlCl. Catalytic activity, comonomer incorporation, and properties of the resultant polymers can be controlled over a wide range by tuning catalyst structures and reaction parameters.     

Synthons for coordinatively unsaturated complexes of tungsten, and their use for the synthesis of high oxidation-state silylene complexes

Reduction of Cp*WCl4 afforded the metalated complex (eta6-C5Me4CH2)(dmpe)W(H)Cl (1) (Cp* = C5Me5, dmpe = 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane). Reactions with CO and H(2) suggested that 1 is in equilibrium with the 16-electron species [Cp(dmpe)WCl], and 1 was also shown to react with silanes R2SiH2 (R2 = Ph2 and PhMe) to give the tungsten(IV) silyl complexes Cp*(dmpe)(H)(Cl)W(SiHR2) (6a, R2 = Ph2; 6b, R2 = PhMe). Abstraction of the chloride ligand in 1 with LiB(C6F5)4 gave a reactive species that features a doubly metalated Cp ligand, [(eta7-C5Me3(CH2)2)(dmpe)W(H)2][B(C6F5)4] (4). In its reaction with dinitrogen, 4 behaves as a synthon for the 14-electron fragment [Cp*(dmpe)W]+, to give the dinuclear dinitrogen complex ([Cp*(dmpe)W]2(micro-N2)) [B(C6F5)4]2 (5). Hydrosilanes R2SiH2 (R2 = Ph2, PhMe, Me2, Dipp(H); Dipp = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) were shown to react with 4 in double Si-H bond activation reactions to give the silylene complexes [Cp*(dmpe)H2W = SiR2][B(C6F5)4] (8a-d). Compounds 8a,b (R2 = Ph2 and PhMe, respectively) were also synthesized by abstraction of the chloride ligands from silyl complexes 6a,b. Dimethylsilylene complex 8c was found to react with chloroalkanes RCl (R = Me, Et) to liberate trialkylchlorosilanes RMe2SiCl. This reaction is discussed in the context of its relevance to the mechanism of the direct synthesis for the industrial production of alkylchlorosilanes.