Study of the supported zirconocene catalysts by means of UV/vis and DRIFT spectroscopy

UV/vis in diffusion reflection mode (DRS) and DRIFT spectroscopy have been used to study the surface zirconocene species formed at the interaction of Me₂Si(Ind)₂ZrCl₂ and Me₂Si(Ind)₂ZrMe₂ complexes with the MAO/SiO₂ support. Effect of additional activation of these catalysts with TIBA has been studied as well.

Structure of type [Me₂Si(Ind)₂ZrMe]⁺[MeMAO]⁻ (C) is formed at the reaction of Me₂Si(Ind)₂ZrMe₂ complex with MAO/SiO₂ (a.b. at 456 nm in UV/vis spectra). Interaction of this complex with TIBA results in the formation of new structure (D) with a.b. at 496 nm in UV/vis spectra.

The surface species of different composition and structures are formed at interaction of Me₂Si(Ind)₂ZrCl₂ complex with MAO/SiO₂. The ratio between these species depends on the zirconium content in the Me₂Si(Ind)₂ZrCl₂/MAO/SiO₂ catalysts. According to the DRIFTS data (CO and ethylene adsorption) and ethylene polymerization data these catalysts contain active ZrMe bonds but activity of these catalysts at ethylene polymerization is low. Interaction of Me₂Si(Ind)₂ZrCl₂/MAO/SiO₂ with TIBA leads to the formation of the new cationic structure of type (D) with a.b. at 496 nm in UV/vis spectra and great increasing of activity at ethylene polymerization.     

Sterically demanding cyclopentadienyl chemistry: synthesis of iron and zirconium complexes of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindenyl

Reaction of phenyl magnesium bromide with the ,β-unsaturated ketone 3-methyl-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydroind-8(9)-en-1-one, followed by an aqueous work-up, generates the pro-chiral tetra-substituted cyclopentadiene, 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindene, Cp^‡H, a precursor to the η⁵-cyclopentadienyl ligand in (Cp^‡)₂Fe and [(Cp^‡)Fe(CO)]₂(μ-CO)₂. Both complexes were generated as mixtures of rac-(RR and SS)- and meso-(RS)-isomers, and in either case pure meso-isomer was isolated by crystallisation and characterised by single crystal X-ray structure, both molecules having crystallographic C_i symmetry. Reduction with Na/Hg cleaves meso-(RS)-[(Cp^‡)Fe(CO)]₂(μ-CO)₂ and the resulting mixture of (R)- and (S)-[(Cp^‡)Fe(CO)₂]⁻ anions reacts with MeI to give racemic (Cp^‡)Fe(CO)₂Me, which was characterised by the X-ray crystal structure. The Cp^‡ ligand is more electron donating than (η-C₅H₅) as revealed by the reduction potential of the (Cp^‡)₂Fe⁺/(Cp^‡)₂Fe couple, E°=−0.127 V (vs. Ag  AgCl). Reaction of LiCp^‡ with ZrCl₄ yields the zirconocene dichloride [Zr(Cp^‡)₂Cl₂] as mixture of rac- and meso-isomers, from which pure rac-isomer is obtained as a mixture of RR and SS crystals by recrystallisation. The reaction of rac-[Zr(Cp^‡)₂Cl₂] with LiMe gives rac-[Zr(Cp^‡)₂Me₂]. The structures of RR-[Zr(Cp^‡)₂Cl₂] and rac-[Zr(Cp^‡)₂Me₂] have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The structural studies reveal the influence of the bulky substituted cyclopentadienyl ligand on the metal---Cp^‡ distances and other metric parameters.     

Profiles of ethylene polymerization with zirconocene–trialkylaluminum/borane compound

Ethylene polymerization was conducted with bis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride (1) and rac-dimethylsilylenebis(indenyl)zirconium dichloride (2) combined with trialkylaluminum (AlR₃; R=methyl (Me), ethyl (Et), isobutyl (iBu))/triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate (Ph₃CB(C₆F₅)₄) or tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (B(C₆F₅)₃) to study the effect of cocatalysts on polymerization rate (R_p). When AlMe₃ was used, no activity or very low activity was observed with both zirconocenes regardless of the borane compounds used. The replacement of AlMe₃ to AlEt₃ or AliBu₃ with 1–AlR₃/Ph₃CB(C₆F₅)₄ caused polymerization and induction time was observed to reach the maximum R_p. Especially in the case of using AlEt₃, it took about 30 min to show the activity. When B(C₆F₅)₃ was used, AlEt₃ was not effective but AliBu₃ gave the highest activity among all the combinations of AlR₃ and the borane compounds. In the case of polymerization with 2 using Ph₃CB(C₆F₅)₄, high activity was observed with both AlEt₃ and AliBu₃ without any induction period. When B(C₆F₅)₃ was used instead of Ph₃CB(C₆F₅)₄, very low activity was observed with AlEt₃. On the other hand, high activity was observed with AliBu₃, and the maximum R_p was found at the beginning of the polymerization. The effect of AlR₃ on the formation of active species was discussed based on these results.     

Synthesis and characterization of planarly chiral nonbridged bis(1-R-indenyl) zirconium dichloride complexes and X-ray structure of rac-[(η-C9H6-1-C(CH3)2---o-C6H4---OCH3)2ZrCl2]·THF

Reactions of the lithium salts of 3-substituted indenes 1, 2 with ZrCl₄(THF)₂ gave two series of nonbridged bis(1-substituted)indenyl zirconocene dichloride complexes. Fractional recrystallization from THF–petroleum ether furnished the pure racemic and mesomeric isomers of [(η⁵-C₉H₆-1-C(R¹)(R²)---o-C₆H₄---OCH₃)₂ZrCl₂]·nTHF (R¹=R²=CH₃, n=1, rac-1a and meso-1b; R¹=CH₃, R²=C₂H₅; n=0.5 or 0, rac-2a and meso-2b), respectively. Complex 1a was further characterized by X-ray diffraction to have a C₂ symmetrically racemic structure, where the six-member rings of the indenyl parts are oriented laterally and two o-CH₃O---C₆H₄---C(CH₃)₂--- substituents are oriented to the open side of the metallocene (Ind: bis-lateral, anti; Substituent: bis-central, syn). The four zirconocene complexes are highly symmetrical in solution as characterized by room temperature ¹H-NMR, however ¹H–¹H NOESY of meso-1b shows that some of the NOE interactions arise from the two separated indenyl parts of the same molecule, which can only be well explained by taking into account the torsion isomers in solution.     

Modified silicas as supports for single-site zirconocene catalysts

The reactivity of Cp₂ZrCl₂ towards partially dehydroxylated silica was evaluated and the effects of chemical modification of this silica were studied. Different modified silicas were prepared by reaction of the original partially dehydroxylated silica with silicon ethers, EtOSiMe₃ and (Me₃Si)₂O, or a silazane, (Me₃Si)₂NH. The resulting materials were activated with MAO and the catalytic systems were evaluated in ethylene polymerization. The different reactions were monitored by FT-IR spectroscopy. The catalysts were characterized by elemental analysis as well as by infrared and UV–vis spectroscopy. Grafting of organosilanes occurs by reaction with reactive siloxane bridges. The new SiR₃ groups formed on the surface react with Cp₂ZrCl₂ to form volatile ClSiMe₃ and oxo zirconium species. These latter species are active, after the addition of MAO, in ethylene polymerization. The effects caused by changing the nature of the modifier in the grafting reaction with the metallocene, as well as the catalytic activities of the resulting materials, are presented and discussed.     

Synthesis of metallocenes of zirconium, hafnium, manganese, iron, tin, lead and half-sandwich complexes of rhodium and iridium containing the ligands (η-C5R4CR′2PMe2), where R and R′ may be H or Me

The dimethylphosphino substituted cyclopentadienyl precursor compounds [M(C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)], where M=Li⁺ (1), Na⁺ (2), or K⁺ (3), and [Li(C₅H₄CR′₂PMe₂)], where R′₂=Me₂ (4), or (CH₂)₅ (5), [HC₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂H]X, where X⁻=Cl⁻ (6) or PF₆⁻ (7) and [HC₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂] (8), are described. They have been used to prepare new metallocene compounds, of which representative examples are [Fe(η-C₅R₄CR′₂PMe₂)₂], where R=Me, R′=H (9); R=H and R′₂=Me₂ (10), or (CH₂)₅ (11), [Fe(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₃)₂]I₂ (12), [Fe{η-C₅Me₄CH₂P(O)Me₂}₂] (13), [Zr(η-C₅R₄CR′₂PMe₂)₂Cl₂], where R=H, R′=Me (14), or R=Me, R′=H (15), [Hf(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂]Cl₂] (16), [Zr(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂Me₂] (17), {[Zr(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)₂]Cl}{(C₆F₅)₃BClB(C₆F₅)₃} (18), [Zr{(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)₂Cl₂}PtI₂] (19), [Mn(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)₂] (20), [Mn{(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂B(C₆F₅)₃}₂] (21), [Pb(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂] (23), [Sn(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂] (24), [Pb{η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂B(C₆F₅)₃}₂] (25), [Pb(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂PtI₂] (26), [Rh(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)(C₂H₄)] 29, [M(η,κP-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)I₂], where M=Rh (30), or Ir, (31).     

Isobutene homo- and isobutene-isoprene copolymerization initiated by protic initiators associated with a series of novel, weakly coordinating counteranions

The highly electrophilic borane B(C₆F₅)₃ reacts with a variety of carboxylic acids RCO₂H to form 1:1 and 1:2 adducts [RCO₂H][B(C₆F₅)₃] and [RCO₂H][B(C₆F₅)₃]₂. These adducts exhibit enhanced acidities, and the 1:2 adduct of n-decanoic (stearic) acid in particular is an excellent initiator for the carbocationic polymerization of isobutene and copolymerization of isobutene with isoprene in methylene chloride and methyl chloride. High conversions to high molecular weight polyisobutene and isobutene-isoprene copolymers are obtained at unusually high temperatures, consistent with the anion [n-C₁₇H₃₅CO₂ BC₆F₅)_{3 2}]⁻ being very weakly coordinating. Interestingly, the system also exhibits a surprising, as yet not understood, dependence of polymer molecular weights on the nature of R in methyl chloride.     

Rhenium(I) methoxo carbonyl complexes containing tetraphosphine or triphosphine ligands; facile separation and X-ray crystallographic studies of d/l- and meso-[{Re2(μ-OMe)2(CO)6}2(μ,μ′-1,1,4,7,10,10-hexaphenyl-1,4,7,10-tetra-phosphadecane)]

Reaction of the activated mixture of Re₂(CO)_10, Me₃NO and MeOH with a 1:1 mixture of rac (d/l)- and meso-1,1,4,7,10,10-hexaphenyl-1,4,7,10-tetraphosphadecane (hptpd) yields a mixture of (d/l)- and meso-[{Re₂(μ-OMe)₂(CO)₆}₂(μ,μ′-hptpd)] 1. The diastereomers can be easily separated by selective dissolution of d/l-1 in benzene, and give clearly distinguishable ¹H- and ³¹P-NMR spectra. The fluxional behavior of d/l-1 in solution has been studied by variable-temperature ¹H- and ³¹P-{¹H}-NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of both d/l- and meso-1 have been determined. Both molecules consist of two {Re₂(μ-OMe)₂(CO)₆} moieties which are bridged by the two P---CH₂---CH₂---P moieties of the hptpd ligand. Whilst the molecules of meso-1 possess crystallographic i-symmetry, those of d/l-1 do not have any crystallographic symmetry. These diastereomers therefore give clearly distinguishable Raman spectra in the solid state. Reaction of tris[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]phosphine (tdppep) with the activated mixture affords the complex [{Re₂(μ-OMe)₂(CO)₆}(μ,η²-tdppep)] 2, and the analogous reaction involving bis[2-diphenylphospinoethyl)phenylphosphine (triphos) gives [{Re₂(μ-OMe)₂(CO)₆}(μ,μ′,η³-triphos){Re₂(CO)₉}] 3 and [{Re₂(μ-OMe)₂(CO)₆}(μ,η²-triphos)] 4.     

Group 4 metallacarboranes of constrained geometries derived from B(cage)- and C(cage)-silylamido-substituted carborane ligands: a synthetic and structural investigation

The reactions of RNHSi(Me)₂Cl (1, R=t-Bu; 2, R=2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃) with the carborane ligands, nido-1-Na(C₄H₈O)-2,3-(SiMe₃)₂-2,3-C₂B₄H₅ (3) and Li[closo-1-R′-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀] (4), produced two kinds of neutral ligand precursors, nido-5-[Si(Me)₂N(H)R]-2,3-(SiMe₃)₂-2,3-C₂B₄H₅, (5, R=t-Bu) and closo-1-R′-2-[Si(Me)₂N(H)R]-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀ (6, R=t-Bu, R′=Ph; 7, R=2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃, R′=H), in 85, 92, and 95% yields, respectively. Treatment of closo-2-[Si(Me)₂NH(2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃)]-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₁ (7) with three equivalents of freshly cut sodium metal in the presence of naphthalene produced the corresponding cage-opened sodium salt of the “carbons apart” carborane trianion, [nido-3-{Si(Me)₂N(2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃)}-1,3-C₂B₁₀H₁₁]³⁻ (8) in almost quantitative yield. The reaction of the trianion, 8, with anhydrous MCl₄ (M=Ti and Zr) in 1:1 molar ratio in dry tetrahydrofuran (THF) at −78 °C, resulted in the formation of the corresponding half-sandwich neutral d⁰-metallacarborane, closo-1-M[(Cl)(THF)_n]-2-[1′-η¹σ-N(2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃)(Me)₂Si]-2,4-η⁶-C₂B₁₀H₁₁ (M=Ti (9), n=0; M=Zr (10), n=1) in 47 and 36% yields, respectively. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H-, ¹¹B-, and ¹³C-NMR spectra and IR spectra. The carborane ligand, 7, was also characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 7 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a=8.2357(19) Å, b=28.686(7) Å, c=9.921(2) Å; β=93.482(4)°; V=2339.5(9) ų, and Z=4. The final refinements of 7 converged at R=0.0736; wR=0.1494; GOF=1.372 for observed reflections.     

Rare earth alkyl and hydride complexes bearing silylene-linked cyclopentadienyl-phosphido ligands. Synthesis, structures, and catalysis in olefin hydrosilylation and ethylene polymerization

A series of silylene-linked cyclopentadienyl-phosphido rare earth alkyl and hydride complexes of type Me₂Si(C₅Me₄)(PR′)LnR (Ln=Y, Yb, Lu; R′=Ph, Cy, C₆H₂^tBu₃-2,4,6; R=CH₂SiMe₃, H) have been synthesized and structurally characterized, and their activity in ethylene polymerization and olefin hydrosilylation has been studied. These complexes represent the first examples of rare earth alkyl and hydride complexes bearing cyclopentadienyl-phosphido ligands, which are in sharp contrast both structurally and chemically with the analogous cyclopentadienyl-amido and metallocene complexes.     

四甲基双硅桥联环戊二烯基稀土金属有机配合物的合成及[Me4Si2(C5H4)2Sm(μ-Cl)(THF)]2的晶体结构研究

四甲基双硅桥联环戊二烯基钠与无水三氯化稀土在THF溶剂中反应合成了标题配合物Me₄Si₂(C₅H₄)₂LnCl[Ln:3Nd,4Sm,5Gd,6Y]和配合物Me₄Si₂(C₅H₄):Ln(C₅H₅)(THF)n[Ln:1La,n=1;2Pr,n=0].通过元素分析、¹HNMR、13CNMR和MS确证了配合物的结构,在THF溶液中重结晶获得配合物4的单晶,x射线衍射证明晶体结构为二聚体,4为单斜晶系,空间群为P2₁/c,晶体学数据a=1.2982(3)nm,b=1.2269(3)nm,c=1.3681(2)nm,β=96.79(2)°,V=2.162(1)nm³,Z=2,D_x=1.53g/cm³,偏差因子R=0.068.     

柄型金属有机化合物(Ⅵ)——四甲基二硅氧桥连不对称茂金属化合物的合成、结构及催化乙烯聚合

四甲基二硅氧桥连不对称环戊二烯基及茚基配体C₅H₅Me₂SiOSiMe₂Cp′H相继与丁基锂及MCl₄·2THF作用,生成四甲基二硅氧桥连不对称茂金属化合物(Me₂SiOSiMe₂)(C₅H₄)(Cp′)MCl₂[Cp′=C₅H₃Bu^t,M=Ti(1),Zr(2);Cp′=C₉H₆,M=Ti(3),Zr(4)].通过元素分析、MS和¹H NMR谱表征了化合物的分子结构,并通过X射线衍射分析测定了化合物1的晶体结构.研究了在MAO(甲基铝氧烷)的助催化下,化合物1～4对乙烯聚合的催化性能.     

Zur reaktion von metall-koordiniertem kohlenmonoxid mit yliden : XX. “Ylidreaktionen” einfacher dicarbonyl(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)rutheniumkomplexe

Treatment of the dimer complex [C₅Me₅ (CO)₂ Ru]₂ (1) with HBF₄ in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature yields the hydrido-bridged dinuclear complex [(C₅Me₅)₂Ru₂(CO)₄H]BF₄ (2), and after refluxing in propionic anhydride [C₅Me₅(CO)₃Ru]BF₄ (5) is obtained, UV-irradiation of 1 in the presence of H₂CHal₂ (Hal = Cl, I) or trimethylphosphine leads to the formation of C₅Me₅(CO)₂Ru-Hal (3a, 3b) or C₅Me₅(CO)(Me₃P)RuH (4) respectively. Exchange reactions of 3a, 3b with LiAlH₄, NaOMe and Me₃ P give the complexes C₅Me₅(CO)₂RuX (6a,6b) (X=H, OMe), C₅Me₅(CO)(Me₃P)Ru-Hal (7a,7b) (Hal = Cl, I) and C₅Me₅(Me₃P)₂RuI (8). The interaction of 3b or 5 with Me₃P=CH₂ leads to the formation of the ylide complex [C₅Me₅(CO)(Me₃P)-RuCH₂PMe₃)Cl (9) or the rutheniumacyl-ylide C₅Me₅(CO)₂RuC(O)CH=PMe₃ (10). 4 reacts with Me₃P=CH₂ to give C₅Me₅(CO)(Me₃P)RuMe (11) and Me₃P via the intermediate formation of the phosphonium salt Me₄P[Ru(CO) (Me₃P)-C₅Me₅].     

N,N′-bis(substituted-phenyl)oxamides and their dinuclear pentacoordinate nickel(II) complexes

The preparation, spectroscopic characterization and magnetic study of N,N′-bis(substituted-phenyl)oxamidate-bridged nickel(II) dinuclear complexes of formula {[Ni(N₃-mc)]₂(μ-CONC₆H₄-X)}(PF₆)₂ (N₃-mc = 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclo-dodec-1-ene (Me₃-N₃-mc) or 2,4,4,9-tetramethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclododec-1-ene (Me₄-N₃-mc), X = 2-Cl, 4-Cl, 2-OCH₃, 4-OCH₃) are reported. These paramagnetic nickel(II) complexes have been characterized by both one- and two-dimensional (COSY) ¹H NMR techniques. The COSY spectrum of 5 has allowed to achieve the assignment of the phenyl protons of the N,N′-diphenyloxamidate. The crystal structures of [Ni(Me₃-N₃-mc)(μ-CONC₆H₄-4-Cl)]₂(PF₆)₂ (6), [Ni(Me₃-N₃-mc)(μ-CONC₆H₄-4-OMe)]₂(PF₆)₂ (8) and [Ni(Me₄-N₃-mc)(μ-CONC₆H₄-2-Cl)]₂(PF₆)₂ (9) have been determined and their magnetic properties have been studied. The value of magnetic coupling between the two nickel(II) ions across the oxamidate bridge [J = − 37.6 (6), −39.9 (8) and −39.7 cm⁻¹ (9)] is sensitive to the distortion of the coordination sphere of the metal ions and the topology of the molecular bridge.     

Study of the reaction of 1,1-bis(trimethylsilyl)-2-phenylethylene with some acyl chlorides in the presence of AlCl3

1,1-Bis(trimethylsilyl)-2-phenylethylene (1), which has been synthesized from the Peterson reaction between (Me₃Si)₃CLi and benzaldehyde, reacts with various acyl chlorides (RCOCl, R = Me, Et, iso-Pr, n-Bu, iso-Bu, iso-C₅H₁₁, PhCH₂, PhCH₂CH₂) in the presence of AlCl₃ to give -silyl-,β-unsaturated enones 3a–3h with high E stereoselectivity along with trans-,β-unsaturated ketones 4a–4h. The enones 3 can be partially converted into the ketones 4 with an excess of AlCl₃. Reaction of 1 with RCOCl, (R = Ph, CH₃CH=CH) afforded only the ketones 4. Yields were dependent on time and the amounts of AlCl₃ used.     

Anchimeric assistance in solvolysis of an organosilicon chloride and acetate

The compound (Me₃Si)₃CSiMeClI reacts with Hg(OAc)₂ in AcOH to give (Me₃Si)₂C(SiMe₂OAc)₂, under conditions in which the chloride (Me₃Si)₃CSiMe₂Cl is inert. Similarly, (Me₃Si)₂C(SiMe₂OAc)₂ reacts with CF₃CO₂H to give (Me₃Si)₂C[SiMe₂(O₂CCF₃)]₂ under conditions in which (Me₃Si)₃CSiMe₂OAc is inert. The results can be accounted for in terms of anchimeric assistance by the neighbouring acetoxy or trifluoroacetoxy group to the breaking of the Si---Cl or Si---OAc bond.     

Synthesis and characterization of hydroxo, pyrazolato and carboxylato derivatives of the PdR(PPh3)moiety (R = C6F5 or C6Cl5)

The hydroxo-complexes [{PdR(PPh₃)(μ-OH)}₂] (R = C₆F₅ or C₆Cl₅) have been obtained by reaction of the corresponding [{PdR(PPh₃)(μ-Cl)}2] complexes with NBu₄OH in acetone. In this solvent, the reaction of the hydroxo-bridged complexes with pyrazole (Hpz) and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (Hdmpz) in 1:2 molar ratio leads to the formation of the new complexes [{Pd(C₅F₅)(PPh₃)(μ-azolate)}2] and [{Pd(C₆Cl₅)(PPh₃)}₂(μ-OH)(μ-azolate)] (azolate = pz or dmpz). The reaction of the bis(μ-hydroxo) complexes with Hpz and Hdmpz in acetone in 1:1 molar ratio has also been studied, and the resulting product depends on the organic radical (C₆F₅ or C₆Cl₅) as well as the azolate (pz or dmpz). The identity of the isomer obtained has been established in every case by NMR (¹H, ¹⁹F and ³¹P) spectroscopy. The reaction of the bis(μ-hydroxo) complexes with oxalic (H₂Ox) and acetic (HOAc) acids yields the binucle ar complexes [{PdR(PPh₃)}2(μ-Ox)] (R = C₆F₅ or C₆Cl₅) and [{Pd(C₆F₅)(PPh₃)(μ-OAc)}2], respectively. [{Pd(C₆F₅)(PPh₃)(μ-OH)}₂] reacts with PPh₃ in acetone in 1:2 ratio giving the mononuclear complex trans-[Pd(C₆F₅) (OH)(PPh₃)₂], whereas the pentachlorophenylhydroxo complex does not react with PPh₃, even under forcing conditions.     

Unusual product distribution in ethylene oligomerization promoted by in situ ansa-chloroneodymocene–dialkylmagnesium systems

Ethylene polymerization using in situ combinations between a chloroneodymocene precursor and a dialkylmagnesium reagent has been investigated to prepare tailor-made oligomers. Combinations of [Cp^*₂NdCl₂Li(OEt₂)₂] (1) with 40 equiv. of n-butylethylmagnesium (BEM) or di(n-hexyl)magnesium (DHM) gave oligoethylenes with M_n up to 2500 and narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n<1.10) in moderate activity (A_{1 h}=79 kg/(mol of Nd h atm) at 80 °C, 1 atm). Under these conditions, ethylene polymerization proceeded in a controlled fashion, with a linear growth of M_n vs monomer conversion, ascribed to an effective chain transfer between the Nd and Mg centers. Combinations of [rac-{Me₂Si(η⁵-2-SiMe₃-4-t-Bu-C₅H₂)₂}Nd(μ-Cl)₂Li(THF)₂] (2) with either BEM or DHM (20–40 equiv.) showed decreased activity, suggesting possibly a different rate-determining-step for ethylene polymerization than for that of higher -olefins. The oligoethylenes obtained from combinations based on 2 have narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n<1.2) but higher contents of vinyl terminations. Monitoring of the reactions showed also a non-linear growth of M_n vs monomer conversion, especially marked when DHM was used as co-reagent. The 2/DHM combination behaves as a “self-correcting” catalyst system that deviates from the calculated M_n values for a controlled-living polymerization in the early stage of the reaction and re-approach them progressively in the second stage.     

[2-(N,N-Dimethylaminomethyl)ferrocenyl] as a ligand towards mercury

The diorganomercurial bis[2-(N,N-dimethylaminomethyl)ferrocenyl]mercury(II), (FcN)₂Hg (3), can be obtained by the symmetrisation of the heteroleptic (FcN)HgCl (2) with Na₂S₂O₃ or in the transmetallation reaction of 2 with (FcN)Li. By crystallisation only the crystals of rac-(FcN)₂Hg were obtained. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed linear coordinated mercury atom with two η¹-bonded FcN ligands. Additionally, weak chelate interactions exist between mercury and nitrogen atoms of the ---CH₂NMe₂ side chains. According to the ¹H-NMR findings, these interactions are not preserved in solution. Diorganomercurial 3 appears in solution as a mixture of two diastereomers with rac/meso-(FcN)₂Hg ratio of 1:1. This diastereomeric ratio in solution remains constant within a wide temperature range and in different solvents. The NMR spectroscopic data of the heteroleptic organomercurials [(FcN)HgCl]₂·H₂O (1) and (FcN)HgCl (2) indicate the chelate-free structure of this compounds in solution within the studied temperature interval (−80 to 90 °C).     

ansa-Metallocene derivatives XXXIII. 2-Dimethylamino-substituted bis-indenyl zirconium dichloride complexes with and without a dimethylsilyl bridge: syntheses, crystal structures and properties in propene polymerization catalysis

Bis(2-N,N-dimethylamino-indenyl) zirconium dichloride, (2-(CH₃)₂N-C₉H₆)₂ZrCl₂, and dimethylsilyl-bridged bis(2-N,N-dimethylamino-indenyl) zirconium dichloride, (CH₃)₂Si(2-(CH₃)₂N-C₉H₅)₂ZrCl₂, were prepared by reaction of the corresponding ligand lithium salts with ZrCl₄ in toluene. Diffractometric structure determinations reveal C₂-symmetric complex geometries for both complexes. An increased electron density at the Zr center of the dimethylamino-substituted complexes is indicated by reduction potentials which are 0.3–0.4 V more negative than those of their unsubstituted analogs. When activated with methyl aluminoxane in toluene solution, (CH₃)₂Si(2-(CH₃)₂N-C₉H₅)₂ZrCl₂ catalyzes the polymerization of propene to polymers with a microstructure comparable with that of polymers produced with other Me₂Si-bridged bis(indenyl)ZrCl₂ complexes, but with a substantially increased fraction of i-propyl end groups derived from alkyl exchange between Zr-polymer and Al---Me species.