Synthesis in Water and Antimicrobial Activity of 5-Trichloromethyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazoles

Two series of 5-trichloromethylisoxazoles were synthesized from the cyclocondensation of 1,1,1-trichloro-4-methoxy-3-alken-2-ones [Cl₃CC(O)C(R²) = C(R¹)OMe, where R¹ = H, Me, Et, Pr, iso-Pr, cyclo-Pr, Bu, terc-Bu, CH₂Br, CHBr₂, CH(Me)SMe, (CH₂)₂Ph, and Ph, and R² = H; R¹ = H and R² = Me and Et; R¹ and R² = -(CH₂)₄- and -(CH₂)₅-; and R¹ = Et and Ph and R² = Me] with hydroxylamine hydrochloride through a rapid one-pot reaction in water. The 5-trichloromethyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazoles were aromatized by reaction with concentrated sulfuric acid to obtain the respective 5-trichloromethylisoxazoles. Their structures were confirmed by elemental analysis, ¹H/¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance, and electron impact mass spectroscopy. Crystal structure analysis for 5-triclhoromethyl-5-hydroxy-3-propyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazole (2d) and 5-trichloromethyl-5-hydroxy-3,4-hexamethylene-4,5-dihydroisoxazole (2o) is presented. The antimicrobial activities of the 5-trichloromethyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazole derivatives were examined using the standard twofold dilution method against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and yeasts (Candida spp. and Cryptococcus neoformans). All of the tested 5-trichloromethyldihydroisoxazoles exhibited antibacterial and antifungal activities at the tested concentrations.

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EINIGE NEUE THIOPHOSPHINSÄUREAMIDE R2P(S)NHR': SYNTHESE UND KERNRESONANZSPEKTROSKOPISCHE UNTERSUCHUNGEN

Abstract

P.P-Dialkylthiophosphinsäureamide R₂P(S)NHR' (R=Me, 'Pr, 'Bu; R'=Me, Et, ⁱPr. ^cHex. ^tBu. Ph. etc.) wurden erhalten durch Umsetzung von R₂PNHR' mit Schwefel oder durch Reaktion von Me₂P(S)CI mit primaren Aminen. Ihre ³¹P- und ¹³C-NMR-Spektren werden diskutiert. Insbesondere die Di-t-butylthiophosphinsäureamide sind auszilg;ergewöhnlich stabil gegen Hydrolyse und Luftsauerstoff. P,P-Dialkylthiophosphinic acid amides R₂P(S)NHR' (R=Me. ⁱPr. ^tBu; R'=Me, Et, ⁱPr, ^cHex. ^tBu, Ph. etc.) have been obtained by reaction of the corresponding aminophosphines with sulfur or by reaction of dimethylthiophosphorylhalides with primary amines. Their ³¹P- and ¹³C-NMR spectra are discussed. The di-t-butylthiophosphinic compounds proved to be remarkably stable against moisture and oxygen.     

Titanium complexes bearing amine bis(phenolate) ligands: Synthesis,structure and catalysis in ring‐opening polymerization of lactide

Monomeric bis(isopropoxy) titanium complexes LTi(Oⁱ Pr)₂ (L =  ─ OC₆H₂–4‐R¹–6‐R²–2‐CH₂N[(CH₂)₂N(R³)₂]CH₂–4‐R⁴–6‐R⁵‐C₆H₂O ─ , R¹ = R² = ^t Bu, R³ = Et, R⁴ = R⁵ = Cl, (L¹)Ti(Oⁱ Pr)₂; R¹ = R² = Me, R³ = Et, R⁴ = R⁵ = Me, (L²)Ti(Oⁱ Pr)₂; R¹ = R² = ^t Bu, R³ = Et, R⁴ = OMe, R⁵ = ^t Bu, (L³)Ti(Oⁱ Pr)₂; R¹ = R⁴ = OMe, R³ = Et, R² = R⁵ = ^t Bu, (L⁴)Ti(Oⁱ Pr)₂; R¹ = R² = ^t Bu, R³ = Me, R⁴ = OMe, R⁵ = ^t Bu, (L⁵)Ti(Oⁱ Pr)₂) supported by amine bis(phenolate) ligands were synthesized and characterized using NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The solid‐state structure of (L³)Ti(Oⁱ Pr)₂ was determined using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. (L^1–5)Ti(Oⁱ Pr)₂ were all found to initiate the ring‐opening polymerization of l ‐lactide and rac ‐lactide in a controlled manner at 110–160°C. As shown by kinetic studies, (L¹)Ti(Oⁱ Pr)₂ polymerized l ‐lactide faster than did (L^2–5)Ti(Oⁱ Pr)₂. In addition, good number‐average molecular weight and narrow polydispersity index (1.00–1.71) of polymers were also obtained. The microstructure of the polymers and a possible mechanism of coordination–insertion of polymerization were evidenced by MALDI‐TOF and ¹H NMR spectra of the polylactides.     

15N NMR spectroscopy of 3‐substituted 5‐trichloromethyl‐1,2‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazolium chlorides

¹⁵N NMR data of a series of 3‐alkyl[aryl] substituted 5‐trichloromethyl‐1,2‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazolium chlorides (where the 3‐substituents are H, Me, Et, n‐Pr, n‐Bu, n‐Pe, n‐Hex, (CH₂)₅CO₂Et, CH₂Br, Ph and 4‐Br‐C₆H₄), are reported. The ¹⁵N substituent chemical shifts (SCS) parameters are determined and these data are compared with the ¹³C SCS values and data obtained by MO calculations. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enol ethers and acetals: acylation with dichloroacetyl,acetyl and benzoyl chloride in ionic liquid medium

Synthesis of 4-alkoxy-1,1-dichloro-3-alken-2-ones [CHCl₂C(O)C(R²)C(R¹)-OR, where R, R¹, R² = Et, H, H; Me, Me, H; Et, H, Me; Me, –(CH₂)₂–; Me, –(CH₂)₃–; Et, Et, H; Et, Bu, H; Et, i-Pr, H; Et, i-Bu, H; Me, Ph, H; Me, thien-2-yl, H] from acylation of enol ethers and acetals with dichloroacetyl chloride, in ionic liquid ([BMIM][BF₄] or [BMIM][PF₆]) is reported. The synthesis of alkenones [R³–C(O)C(R²)C(R¹)-OR], where R/R¹/R²/R³ = Et/H/H/Ph, t-Bu/H/H/Ph, Me/-(CH₂)₄/Ph, Me/-(CH₂)₄/Me] from the reaction of enol ethers with benzoyl chloride or acetyl chloride, in ionic liquid [BMIM][BF₄], is also reported. Last products are described for the first time.     

Baker's yeast reduction of α-methyleneketones

The bioreduction of α-methyleneketones, R¹C(O)C(CH₂)R² (R¹=Me, Et, Pr, iso-Bu, Ph, CH₂CH₂Ph; R²=Cl, Me, Et, n-Pr, iso-Pr, n-Bu, n-C₆H₁₃, Ph, CH₂Ph), was mediated by baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to obtain the corresponding α-methylketones. The R¹ and R² groups had a significant influence on the rate and enantioselectivity of the reductions. The rate of CC bond reduction was higher than that of CO bond reduction. Only α-methyleneketones having R¹=Me yielded α-methylketones in high enantioselectivity with e.e.s of 88–99%.     

Chiral Lithiated Allylic α‐Sulfonyl Carbanions: Experimental and Computational Study of Their Structure,Configurational Stability,and Enantioselective Synthesis

X‐ray crystal structure analysis of the lithiated allylic α‐sulfonyl carbanions [CH₂?CHC(Me)SO₂Ph]Li ? diglyme, [cC₆H₈SO₂tBu]Li ? PMDETA and [cC₇H₁₀SO₂tBu]Li ? PMDETA showed dimeric and monomeric CIPs, having nearly planar anionic C atoms, only O?Li bonds, almost planar allylic units with strong C?C bond length alternation and the s‐trans conformation around C1?C2. They adopt a C1?S conformation, which is similar to the one generally found for alkyl and aryl substituted α‐sulfonyl carbanions. Cryoscopy of [EtCH?CHC(Et)SO₂tBu]Li in THF at 164 K revealed an equilibrium between monomers and dimers in a ratio of 83:17, which is similar to the one found by low temperature NMR spectroscopy. According to NMR spectroscopy the lone‐pair orbital at C1 strongly interacts with the C?C double bond. Low temperature ⁶Li,¹H NOE experiments of [EtCH?CHC(Et)SO₂tBu]Li in THF point to an equilibrium between monomeric CIPs having only O?Li bonds and CIPs having both O?Li and C1?Li bonds. Ab initio calculation of [MeCH?CHC(Me)SO₂Me]Li ? (Me₂O)₂ gave three isomeric CIPs having the s‐trans conformation and three isomeric CIPs having the s‐cis conformation around the C1?C2 bond. All s‐trans isomers are more stable than the s‐cis isomers. At all levels of theory the s‐trans isomer having O?Li and C1?Li bonds is the most stable one followed by the isomer which has two O?Li bonds. The allylic unit of the C,O,Li isomer shows strong bond length alternation and the C1 atom is in contrast to the O,Li isomer significantly pyramidalized. According to NBO analysis of the s‐trans and s‐cis isomers, the interaction of the lone pair at C1 with the π* orbital of the CC double bond is energetically much more favorable than that with the “empty” orbitals at the Li atom. The C1?S and C1?C2 conformations are determined by the stereoelectronic effects n_C–σ_SR* interaction and allylic conjugation. ¹H DNMR spectroscopy of racemic [EtCH?CHC(Et)SO₂tBu]Li, [iPrCH?CHC(iPr)SO₂tBu]Li and [EtCH?C(Me)C(Et)SO₂tBu]Li in [D₈]THF gave estimated barriers of enantiomerization of ΔG^≠=13.2 kcal mol^?1 (270 K), 14.2 kcal mol^?1 (291 K) and 14.2 kcal mol^?1 (295 K), respectively. Deprotonation of sulfone (R)‐EtCH?CHCH(Et)SO₂tBu (94 % ee) with nBuLi in THF at ?105 °C occurred with a calculated enantioselectivity of 93 % ee and gave carbanion (M)‐[EtCH?CHC(Et)SO₂tBu]Li, the deuteration and alkylation of which with CF₃CO₂D and MeOCH₂I, respectively, proceeded with high enantioselectivities. Time‐dependent deuteration of the enantioenriched carbanion (M)‐[EtCH?CHC(Et)SO₂tBu]Li in THF gave a racemization barrier of ΔG^≠=12.5 kcal mol^?1 (168 K), which translates to a calculated half‐time of racemization of t_1/2=12 min at ?105 °C.     

Triphenylantimony(V) o‐amidophenolates with unsymmetrical N‐aryl group for a reversible dioxygen binding

New triphenylantimony(V) o‐amidophenolates (AP‐Me,Et)SbPh₃ (1) and (AP‐Me,iPr)SbPh₃ (2) with unsymmetrically substituted N‐aryl groups and (AP‐Et,Et)SbPh₃ (3) with symmetrical N‐aryl group {AP‐R¹,R² is 4,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐N‐[2‐alkyl(R¹),6‐alkyl(R²)‐phenyl]‐o‐amidophenolate dianion} were synthesized and characterized in detail. Complexes were examined for dioxygen activity. The unsymmetrical complexes 1 and 2 were found to form different geometrical isomers (A and B) of spiroendoperoxides [L‐R¹,R²(O₂)]SbPh₃ (4 and 5, respectively) with different dispositions of peroxide group and N‐aryl fragment (methyl and peroxide group are on the same side of the molecule in the less shielded isomer A, and on different sides in the more hindered isomer B). The isomer A prevails over isomer B, reflecting the possibility of steric control on the dioxygen‐binding reaction. Complex 3, where R¹ = R² = Et, formed the isomers 6A and 6B as 50:50. The ratio 4A:4B was 60:40 (for methyl‐ethyl containing complex 4) and it increased up to 80:20 for methyl‐isopropyl‐containing 5. The molecular structure of isomers 4A and 4B was confirmed by X‐ray analysis. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spin transition in the molecular heterospin complex of Cu(hfac)2 with 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(1-methylpyrazol-5-yl)-4,5-dihydroimidazole-1-oxyl 3-oxide

The synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of the products of the reaction for Cu(hfac)₂ (hfac is hexafluoroacetylacetonate) with spin-labeled nitronyl nitroxides 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(1-R-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-3-imidazoline-1-oxyl 3-oxides L^5/R (R = Me, Et, Pr, Bu), viz., binuclear complex [Cu(hfac)₂L^5/Me]₂ and chain polymer complexes [Cu(hfac)₂L^5/R]_n, are described. The polymer heterospin chains are built according to “head-to-head” (R = Me, Et, Pr, Bu) and “head-to-tail” (R = Pr, Bu) motifs. Compound [Cu(hfac)₂L^5/Me]₂ is characterized by the ability to reveal the reversible effect of thermally induced spin transition at a temperature about 75 K (without hysteresis). In the set of heterospin Cu^II compounds with spin-labeled pyrazoles, this is the earlier unknown example of a molecular complex exhibiting a similar magnetic anomaly.     

Synthesis of Optically Active α-Amino- phosphinic Acids by Catalytic Asymmetric Hydrogenation in Organic Solvents and Aqueous Micellar Media

Enantiomeric excesses of up to 99 % could be obtained in the synthesis of the biologically interesting acylated α-aminophosphinic acids 1 (R¹=Me, Ph; R²=H, Me, Et; R³=H, F, iPr) by asymmetric hydrogenation with rhodium complex catalysts and subsequent hydrolysis [Eq. (1)]. cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene.     

Synthesis and X‐ray Crystal Structures of Homotrimetallic Zinc Bisureate Complexes

Alkane elimination reactions of the tethered bis(urea) proligand 1,4‐(tBuNHCONH)₂‐C₄H₈ ( 1 ) with ZnR₂ (R = Me, Et, nPr) yielded trimetallic zinc complexes [RZn‐1,4‐(tBuNHCON)₂‐C₄H₈]₂Zn [R = Me ( 2 ), Et ( 3 ), and nPr ( 4 )]. 2 – 4 were characterized by heteronuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C) and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

Regioselectivity in the amination of azines: Reaction of pyrazine derivatives with <Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-mesitylenesulfonylhydroxylamine

Treatment of 2-X-substituted pyrazines [X = H, Me, Et, Pr, i-Pr, t-Bu, MeCH(OH), H₂N, AcNH] with O-mesitylenesulfonylhydroxylamine gave the corresponding 2-X- and 3-X-(1-amino)pyrazin-1-ium mesitylenesulfonates. 2-Alkylpyrazines (X = Me, Et, Pr, i-Pr) displayed a correlation between the logarithms of the concentration ratio of 2- and 3-substituted cations and substituent steric constants. Wider series of substituted pyrazines [X = H, Me, Et, Pr, i-Pr, MeCH(OH), H₂N, AcNH] conformed to a multiparameter correlation between the logarithms of the concentration ratio of 2- and 3-substituted cations, on the one hand, and substituent constants σ_I, σ_R^o, and E _s^o, on the other. The obtained data on the regioselectivity of amination of pyrazines were interpreted in terms of DFT/PBE/3Z quantum-chemical calculations.     

Volatile iridium(I) complexes with β-diketones and cyclooctadiene: syntheses,structures and thermal properties

A series of volatile mixed-ligand iridium(I) complexes [Ir(cod)(L)] (cod = cyclooctadiene-1,5, L = R¹C(O)CHC(O)R², R¹ = CF₃, R² = CF₃ – hfac 1, Me – tfac 2; ^tBu – ptac 3, Ph – btfac 4, R¹ = R² = Me – acac 5; ^tBu – thd 6) was synthesized and investigated in terms of usage in metal-organic chemical vapor deposition processes. Compounds 3 and 4 were obtained for the first time. All compounds were investigated by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and mass spectrometry. Crystal structures of 2–4 and 6 were determined by single-crystal XRD. The influence of β-diketonate ligand on the thermal properties of complexes in condensed and gas phase was revealed. The following volatility order was arranged: L = hfac 1 > tfac 2 ≈ ptac 3 > acac 5 > thd 6 > btfac 4. Complexes 1 and 6 vapors demonstrated the lowest and the highest thermostability, respectively.     

Microwave assisted regiospecific synthesis of 5‐trifluoromethyl‐4,5‐dihydropyrazoles and—pyrazoles

The regiospecific synthesis of a series of twelve 5‐trifluoromethyl‐4,5‐dihydropyrazoles and ‐pyrazoles from the cyclocondesation reaction of 4‐alkoxy‐1,1,1‐trifluoro‐3‐alken‐2‐ones [F₃CC(O)CH=C(R¹)OR, where R¹ = Me, Et, Pr, iso‐Pr, Bu, iso‐Bu, Ph, H; and R = Me, Et] with phenylhydrazine in toluene by environmentally benign microwave induced techniques is reported. It is shown that under appropriated conditions, the variation of microwave irradiation power leads to 4,5‐dihydropyrazole or pyrazole derivatives. This paper also includes the use of montmorillonite K‐10 as a solid support for the synthesis of pyrazoles under solvent free conditions.     

Synthesis of Diaryl Ethers: A Long-Standing Problem Has Been Solved

A breakthrough in the synthesis of diaryl ethers has been achieved as shown in Equation (1). The coupling of phenols with aryl boronic acids in the presence of copper(II ) acetate and a base proceeds under very mild conditions (room temperature) as described simultaneously by Evans et al. and Chan et al. Examples: R¹=2-Cl, 2-I, 2-OMe, 4-tBu, 4-CH₂CH(NHCOOtBu)CO₂Me, 3,5-tBu₂; R²=2-Me, 3-OMe, 3-NO₂, 4-H, 4-F, 4-OMe.     

New one-pot, efficient, and regioselective method for the synthesis of 3-Trifluoromethyl-1H-1-phenylpyrazoles and alkyl 3-carboxylate analogs

An efficient and regioselective procedure for the synthesis of a series of alkyl(aryl/heteroaryl) substituted 3-trifluoromethyl-1H-1-phenylpyrazoles and alkyl 3-carboxylate analogs, from the cyclocondensation reactions of 4-alkoxy-1,1,1-trihaloalk-3-en-2-ones [CX₃C(O)CR²=CR¹(OMe/OEt), where R¹ = H, Me, Ph, 2-Furyl; R² = H; R¹-R² = -C₄H₈- and X = F, Cl] and 1-phenylsemicarbazide in an acidified alcoholic medium (R³OH/H₂SO₄), where R³ = Me, Et, Prⁱ was successfully applied and is described here in detail.     

Substantially enhancing the catalytic performance of bis(imino)pyridylcobaltous chloride pre‐catalysts adorned with benzhydryl and nitro groups for ethylene polymerization

Variations in the ligand structure of homogeneous late transition metal catalysts through judicious choice and location of substituent is the foremost strategy in improving their catalytic performance for ethylene polymerization. In this contribution, symmetrical and unsymmetrical bis(imino)pyridylcobaltous chloride complexes adorned with nitro and benzhydryl groups {2‐[1‐(2,6‐dibenzhydryl‐4‐nitrophenylimino)ethyl]‐6‐[1‐(alkylphenylimino)ethyl]pyridylcobaltous chloride (alkyl: R¹ = Me and R² = H, Co1 ; R¹ = Et and R² = H, Co2 ; R¹ = ⁱPr and R² = H, Co3 ; R¹ and R² = Me, Co4 ; R¹ = Et and R² = Me, Co5 ; R¹ = benzhydryl and R² = NO₂, Co6 )} have been prepared and applied as catalysts for ethylene polymerization. The molecular structure of Co1 and Co2 revealed the unequal steric protection of the cobalt center induced by bis(imino)pyridine chelate. In the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) or modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) activators at different ethylene feeding rates (1 and 10 atm), catalysts Co1 – Co5 displayed high activities at 10 atm ethylene and produced strictly linear polyethylene (PE) with high molecular weight, Co2 /MMAO being the most highly active catalytic system showing the highest activity of 9.41 × 10⁶ g of PE (mol of Co)^?1 h^?1 which is three times higher than that of prototypal cobalt catalyst ( Co0 ) under identical conditions. Moreover, high melt temperature and unimodal molecular weight distribution are the characteristics of the resulting polyethylene.     

Formation and Dissociation of Tetrahedral Nickel(II) and Cobalt(II) Complexes of ‘Dithioimidodiphosphato’ Ligands,Measurement of Kinetically Determined Stability Constants,and Kinetic Investigations of the Rapid Formation of Tetrahedral Bis(ligand)copper(II) Complexes and Their Rates of Reduction to Trinuclear Copper(I) Species

The stopped‐flow technique was used to measure the rates of formation and dissociation of tetrahedral [ML₂] complexes (M²⁺=Ni²⁺ or Co²⁺) of four bidentate S₂‐donor ‘dithioimidodiphosphato’ ligands L^? (HL=[R¹R²P(?S)]NH[P(?S)R³R⁴], R¹ to R⁴=alkyl) at 25.0° in MeOH/H₂O 95 : 5 (v/v) solution and in the presence of either MOPS (=3‐(morpholin‐4‐yl)propane‐1‐sulfonic acid) or 2,6‐lutidine (=2,6‐dimethylpyridine) buffers. The kinetically determined equilibrium formation constants for [ML]⁺ ions (M=Ni or Co) are 10^?5 K=0.50±0.01 or 1.64±0.07 l mol^?1 for L=L³ (R¹=R²=Me(CH₂)₂CH(Me), R³=R⁴=Me₂CH), 1.27±0.02 or 7.93±0.09 l mol^?1 for L=L⁷ (R¹ to R⁴=Me₂CHCH₂), 0.88±0.04 or 3.84±0.13 l mol^?1 for L=L⁸ (R¹ to R⁴=Me₂CH), and in case of Ni²⁺ 1.88±0.04 l mol^?1 for L=L⁶ (R¹=R³=Bu, R²=R⁴=^tBu) (see Table 3; for L³ and L⁶–L⁸, see Table 1). Whereas the tetrahedral Ni²⁺ complexes dissociate more slowly than the analogous Co²⁺ species, in all cases, the Co²⁺ complexes are more stable than those of Ni²⁺ due to their larger formation rate constants (Table 3). Reactions of Cu²⁺ with eight ligands HL (R¹ to R⁴=alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, and aryloxy) show that formation of intensely colored tetrahedral [Cu^IIL₂] species is too fast be measured with the available stopped‐flow apparatus (t_1/2<2 ms), but the subsequent rates of reduction of [Cu^IIL₂] to give trinuclear products [Cu^I₃L₃] are measurable. An X‐ray analysis establishes the structure of one of the [Cu₃L₃] complexes, where R¹=R²=Me₂CHO and R³=R⁴=2‐(tert‐butyl)phenyl (L=L⁵), and a multiwavelength stopped‐flow kinetic experiment establishes the spectrum of a tetrahedral [Cu^IIL₂] species prior to the reduction reactions. The redox reactions proceed at 25.0° with first‐order rate constants in the range 0.285 s^?1 (R¹ to R⁴=PhO; L=L¹¹) to 2.58?10^?4 s^?1 (R¹ to R⁴=Me₂CHCH₂; L=L⁷) (Table 4).     

UV–visible spectroscopy for zirconocene activation by MAO in olefin polymerization: activity versus wavenumber

Activation of ansa‐zirconocenes of the type Rac [Zr{1‐Me₂Si(3‐R‐(η⁵‐C₉H₅))(3‐R′‐(η⁵‐C₉H₅))}Cl₂] [R = Et, R′ = H ( 1 ); R = Pr, R′ = H ( 2 ); and R = Et, R′ = Pr ( 3 ), R, R′ = Me ( 4 ) and R, R′ = Bu ( 5 )] by MAO has been studied by UV–visible spectroscopy. Compounds 1–3 have been tested in the polymerization of ethylene at different Al:Zr ratios. UV–vis spectroscopy was used to determine a correlation between the electronic structures of ( 1–5 ) and their polymerization activity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sterically Less‐Hindered Half‐Titanocene(IV) Phenoxides: Ancillary‐Ligand Effect on Mono‐, Bis‐, and Tris(2‐Alkyl‐/arylphenoxy) Titanium(IV) Chloride Complexes

A series of mono‐, bis‐, and tris(phenoxy)–titanium(IV) chlorides of the type [Cp*Ti(2‐R? PhO)_nCl_3?n] (n=1–3; Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) was prepared, in which R=Me, iPr, tBu, and Ph. The formation of each mono‐, bis‐, and tris(2‐alkyl‐/arylphenoxy) series was authenticated by structural studies on representative examples of the phenyl series including [Cp*Ti(2‐Ph? PhO)Cl₂] ( 1 PhCl2 ), [Cp*Ti(2‐Ph? PhO)₂Cl] ( 2 PhCl ), and [Cp*Ti(2‐Ph? PhO)₃] ( 3 Ph ). The metal‐coordination geometry of each compound is best described as pseudotetrahedral with the Cp* ring and the 2‐Ph? PhO and chloride ligands occupying three leg positions in a piano‐stool geometry. The mean Ti? O distances, observed with an increasing number of 2‐Ph? PhO groups, are 1.784(3), 1.802(4), and 1.799(3) Å for 1 PhCl2 , 2 PhCl , and 3 Ph , respectively. All four alkyl/aryl series with Me, iPr, tBu, and Ph substituents were tested for ethylene homopolymerization after activation with Ph₃C⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? and modified methyaluminoxane (7% aluminum in isopar E; mMAO‐7) at 140 °C. The phenyl series showed much higher catalytic activity, which ranged from 43.2 and 65.4 kg (mmol of Ti?h)^?1, than the Me, iPr, and tBu series (19.2 and 36.6 kg (mmol of Ti?h)^?1). Among the phenyl series, the bis(phenoxide) complex of 2 PhCl showed the highest activity of 65.4 kg (mmol of Ti?h)^?1. Therefore, the catalyst precursors of the phenyl series were examined by treating them with a variety of alkylating reagents, such as trimethylaluminum (TMA), triisobutylaluminum (TIBA), and methylaluminoxane (MAO). In all cases, 2 PhCl produced the most catalytically active alkylated species, [Cp*Ti(2‐Ph? PhO)MeCl]. This enhancement was further supported by DFT calculations based on the simplified model with TMA.