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.     

Polymerization of MMA by oscillating zirconocene catalysts, diastereomeric zirconocene mixtures, and diastereospecific metallocene pairs

Characteristics of methyl methacrylate (MMA) polymerization using oscillating zirconocene catalysts, (2-Ph-Ind)₂ZrX₂ (X = Cl, 1; X = Me, 2), mixtures of rac- and meso-zirconocene diastereomers, (SBI)ZrMe₂ [3, SBI = Me₂Si(Ind)₂] and (EBI)ZrMe₂ [4, EBI = C₂H₄(Ind)₂], as well as diastereospecific metallocene pairs, rac-4/Cp₂ZrMe₂ (5) and rac-4/CGCTiMe₂ [6, CGC = Me₂Si(Me₄C₅)(t-BuN)], are reported. MMA polymerization using the chloride catalyst precursor 1 activated with a large excess of the modified methyl aluminoxane is sluggish, uncontrolled, and produces atactic PMMA. On the other hand, the polymerization by a 2/1 ratio of 2/B(C₆F₅)₃ or 2/Ph₃CB(C₆F₅)₄ is controlled and produces syndiotactic PMMA. Mixtures of diastereomeric ansa-zirconocenes 3 or 4 containing various rac/meso ratios, when activated with B(C₆F₅)₃, yield bimodal PMMA; this behavior is attributed to the meso-diastereomer that, in its pure form, affords bimodal, syndio-rich atactic PMMA. For MMA polymerization using diastereospecific metallocene pairs, rac-4/5 and rac-4/6, the isospecific catalyst site dominates the polymerization events under the conditions employed in this study, and the aspecific and syndiospecific sites are largely nonproductive, thereby forming only highly isotactic PMMA.     

Heterogenization of racemic ethylenebis(1-indenyl)zirconium dichloride on trimethylaluminum vapor modified silica surface

Heterogeneous metallocene catalysts were prepared by adsorbing rac-Et(Ind)₂ZrCl₂ on a modified silica surface in solution. The modification of silica was conducted in gas phase with atomic layer chemical vapor deposition (ALCVD) technique, where the silica, preheated at either 350 or 600°C, was allowed to react with vaporized trimethylaluminum (TMA) at 250°C. Modified carriers and heterogeneous catalysts were characterized with FTIR, ¹H MAS (magic-angle spinning) NMR, ¹³C, and ²⁹Si CP (cross-polarization) MAS NMR spectroscopies and elemental analyses. In the reaction of TMA with silica, a saturated surface was formed consisting of different (---O)_4−nSi(CH₃)_n (n=1, 2 or 3) and ---AlCH₃ groups. The ratio of ---SiMe to ---AlMe groups was approximately 1.5 in the TMA/SiO₂ carriers. When the metallocene was adsorbed onto the carrier it seemed to react with the surface ---AlCH₃ groups and possibly ---ZrCH₃ groups were formed. Heterogeneous catalysts were tested in the polymerization of ethylene and propylene in the presence of methylalumoxane (MAO). And they produced similar polymer as the homogeneous rac-Et(Ind)₂ZrCl₂ catalyst, but with lower activity. A catalyst with the best activity was achieved from silica that was preheated at 600°C. Moreover, leaching of catalyst was examined whereupon a part of zirconium was observed to desorb from the carrier.     

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.     

Ethylene homo- and copolymerization using (nBuCp)2ZrCl2 grafted on silica modified with different spacers

(nBuCp)₂ZrCl₂ was grafted on a series of modified silica and evaluated in ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization and their performance was compared with the homogenous system and with that resulting from its immobilization on bare silica. Silica was modified by polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS), Me₃SiCl, Ph₃SiOH, SnCl₄, isodrin and aldrin. (nBuCp)₂ZrCl₂ grafted on PMHS-modified silica afforded the catalyst with the highest activity. Comonomer incorporation, melting point and polydispersity was shown to be dependent on the catalyst nature. Bimodality was observed in the case of ethylene homopolymerization employing PMHS-silica-based catalysts.     

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.     

联苯基桥连双核茂锆化合物的合成及催化乙烯聚合

4,4′-二溴联苯与n-BuLi反应得到对-联苯基二锂,再与四甲基环戊烯酮进行羰基加成,酸催化脱水,一步得到对-联苯基桥连四甲基环戊二烯配体4-(C₅Me₄H)C₆H₄-C₆H₄(C₅Me₄H)-4(1).配体1相继与n-BuLi和ZrCl₄反应得到相应的联苯基桥连双(单茂三氯化锆)4-(C₅Me₄ZrCl₃)C₆H₄-C₆H₄(C₅Me₄ZrCl₃)-4,不经分离直接与环戊二烯基锂或茚基锂反应得到相应的双核锆化合物4-(C₅MeZrCl₂Cp′)C₆H₄-C₆H₄·(C₅Me₄ZrCl₂Cp′)-4[Cp′=C₅H₅(2),C₉H₇(3)].研究了在MAO(MethylAluminoxane)助催化下,化合物2和3对乙烯聚合的催化性能.化合物2和3都显示了非常高的催化活性,并在较高的温度下达到最高活性.     

ansa-Metallocene (R-Ph)2C(Cp)(Ind)MCl2 with electron withdrawing substituents on phenyl groups for olefin polymerization

The new ansa-complexes (R-Ph)₂C(Cp)(Ind)MCl₂ (R = CF₃, F, Cl; M = Ti, Zr or Hf) were synthesized from the reaction of dilithium salt of the corresponding ligands with appropriate group 4 metal halides. They were tested for ethylene homopolymerization and copolymerization in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) at various ethylene pressures and temperatures. In the case of zirconocenes, complexes 2 (R = CF₃) and 8 (R = Cl) demonstrated much higher catalytic activity than complexes 10 (Ph₂C(Cp)(Ind)ZrCl₂) and 5 (R = F) in ethylene polymerization. The same trend was observed in titanocenes and hafnocenes. The electronic and geometric effects of substituents at the phenyl group on the polymerization activity were easily noticed. For the ethylene/1-hexene or 1-octene copolymerization, 2 also showed the highest catalytic activity, and the copolymers from complex 8 possessed the highest 1-hexene and 1-octene contents.     

Anchimeric assistance by γ-substituents Z, Z=MeO, PhO, MeS or PhS, in reactions of the bromides (Me3Si)2(ZMe2Si)CSiMe2Br with AgBF4

The new organosilicon bromides (Me₃Si)₂(ZMe₂Si)CSiMe₂Br with Z=PhO or MeS have been prepared and new spectroscopic data obtained for the previously reported compounds with Z=H, F, Br, Me, Ph, MeO or PhS. Competitions between pairs of bromides for a deficiency of AgBF₄ in Et₂O, with the determination of the ratio of the fluoride products by ¹⁹F-NMR spectroscopy, have led to the following approximate relative reactivities of the bromides and so to the relative abilities of the γ-Z groups to provide anchimeric assistance to the leaving of Br⁻ in this reaction: Me, 1; Ph, 40; PhO, 3400; PhS, 5000; MeS, 7000; MeO, 54 000. In methanolysis in CH₂Cl₂, (Me₃Si)₂(MeOMe₂Si)CSiMe₂Cl has been found to be roughly 120 times as reactive as (Me₃Si)₂(PhOMe₂Si)CSiMe₂Cl. Combination of the results with previously available information suggests the following approximate order of ability of γ-groups Z to provide anchimeric assistance in reactions at the Si---X bonds in compounds (Me₃Si)₂(ZMe₂Si)CSiMe₂X: OCOMe>OMe>OCOCF₃>MeS>PhS, PhO>N₃, Cl>NCS>Ph>CH=CH₂>Me.     

Synthesis of double silylene-bridged binuclear titanium complexes and their use as catalysts for ethylene polymerization

Five new double silylene-bridged binuclear titanium complexes were synthesized by the reaction of RCpTiCl₃ and Li₂[μ,μ-(SiMe₂)₂ (C₅H₃)₂] in toluene. They were all well characterized. These complexes activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO) are highly active catalysts (2.33 × 10⁵ g PE/mol Cat h) for the polymerization of ethylene even at low Al/Ti (Al/Ti = 300). The molecular weight distribution of the polymer indicates broad or bimodal (MWD = 26.76) distribution.     

Immobilization of η-cyclopentadienyltris(dimethylamido)zirconium polymerization catalysts on a chlorosilane- and HMDS-modified mesoporous silica surface: a new concept for supporting metallocene amides towards heterogeneous single-site-catalysts

The modification of a mesoporous silica surface with Si(Ind)(CH₃)₂Cl and the immobilization of CpZr(NMe₂)₃ on this surface was studied via IR-spectroscopy. To reduce side reactions, the indenyl-modified silica was reacted with hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) under IR-control before the CpZr(NMe₂)₃-immobilization. The role of the hydroxyl group protection with HMDS is discussed. The surface modifications have been repeated via Schlenk technique at the same conditions and the surface modifications were studied with ¹³C CP MAS–NMR, ¹H MAS–NMR, elemental-, SEM- and BET-analysis. The surface species of the resulting catalysts are discussed. The precatalysts have been treated with methylaluminoxane (MAO) (Al:Zr (mol:mol)=500:1) and the resulting Zr contents (leaching-effect) are discussed. All catalysts have been tested in ethylene and propylene polymerization.     

Metal content determination in polymerization catalysts by direct methods

Metal contents in polymerization catalysts were comparatively determined by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy. Catalysts were prepared by grafting metallocene onto bare silica or onto silica chemically modified with methylaluminoxane (MAO). Catalysts were compressed as self-supporting pellets (RBS and XRF), or mounted on adhesive copper tape (XPS). The proximity of the mass of the atomic nuclei did not allow resolution by RBS of the signals corresponding to Zr and Nb, nor Si and Al in catalyst systems such as (nBuCp)₂ZrCl₂/Cp₂NbCl₂/MAO/SiO₂. On the other hand, Zr, Nb, Si and Al lines were completely resolved in an XRF spectrum. For supported metallocenes on bare silica, XPS measurement was ca. 40% higher than that obtained by RBS. Silica-supported zirconocene showed good agreement in Zr content determination by XRF and RBS.     

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.     

Supported dichlorobis(3-hydroxi-2-methyl-4-pyrone)Ti(IV) catalysts: Evaluation on ethylene polymerization

Dichlorobis(3-hydroxi-2-methyl-4-pyrone)Ti(IV) complex was grafted on different inorganic supports, namely different kinds of SiO₂, MAO-modified silica, MCM-41, Al₂O₃, ZrO₂ and MgO. The resulting supported catalysts were shown to be active in ethylene polymerization using methylaluminoxane (MAO) as cocatalyst, most of them being even more active that the homogeneous complex. The highest catalyst activities were observed for the Ti complex supported on SiO₂ 948 activated at 450 °C, MCM-41 and Al₂O₃.     

Preparation and reactions of some sterically hindered silanols, including [tris(trimethylsilyl)methyl]silanetriol

The silanol TsiSiMe₂OH (Tsi = (Me₃Si)₃C) has been made by hydrolysis of the iodide TsiSiMe₂I in H₂O/dioxane or H₂O/Me₂SO. It has been shown to react with some acid chlorides RCOCl (R=Me, Et, CICH₂ Ph, 4-O₂NC₆H₄, and 3,5- (O₂N)₂C₆H₃) and anhydrides (RCO)₂O (R = Me, CF₃, or Ph) to give the carboxylates TsiSiMe₂OCOR, and with SO₂Cl₂ to give TsiSiMe₂OSO₂Cl. The triol TsiSi(OH)₃ has been made by treatment of TsiSiH(OH)I with H₂O/Me₂SO at 150°C or with a mixture of aqueous AgClO₄ and an organic solvent. The triol has been shown to react with RCOCl (R = Me, Et, or Ph) or (RCO)₂O (R = Ph) to give the corresponding TsiSi(OCOR)₃, with (CF₃CO)₂O to give TsiSi(OH)₂(OCOCF₃), and with a mixture of Me₃SiCl and AgClO₄ in benzene or one of Me₃Sil and (Me₃Si)NH to give TsiSi(OSiMe₃)₃. The triol is unusually stable, but decomposes at its m.p. of 285–290°C.     

Alkylaminophosphanyl substituted half-sandwich complexes of vanadium(III) and chromium(III): preparation and reactivity in ethylene polymerisation

[Cp^R(RPNEt₂)]M (Cp^R=t-BuC₅H₃, C₅(CH₃)₄, indenyl, fluorenyl; M=Li, K) smoothly react with VCl₃(Me₃P)₂ and CrCl₃(THF)₃ systems giving paramagnetic complexes [Cp^R(R¹PNEt₂)]MCl₂ (M=V(Me₃P)₂, Cr). After reaction with MAO these complexes are active in the polymerisation of ethylene yielding highly crystalline, high-density products of high molecular weight (M_w ranging from 100 000 to 4.5×10⁶ g mol⁻¹, 20≤T_p≤100 °C). Polymerisation with chromium complexes leads to the formation of polyethylenes with broad molecular weight distribution.     

A stannaethene with a planar environment of the tricoordinated tin and carbon atoms

Addition of the diarylstannylene R″₂Sn (R″ = 2−^tBu−4,5,6-Me₃C₆H) to the cryptodiborylcarbene (Me₃Si)₂C(B^tBu)₂C furnishes the stannaethene (Me₃Si)₂C(B^tBu)₂C=SnR″₂ (10). The X-ray structure analysis of 10 reveals a strictly planar environment of the tricoordinated tin and carbon atoms and a slight twisting of the Sn=C double bond.     

Photolysis of (Me2Si)6 in argon matrices doped with high concentrations (ca. 20%) of N2O or C2H4O: formation of (Me2SiO)6

Irradiation using a low pressure mercury lamp (λ=ca. 250 nm) of argon matrices containing ca. 1% (Me₂Si)₆ and ca. 20% ethylene oxide (C₂H₄O) or nitrous oxide (N₂O) for a period of ca. 20 h leads to the formation of the cyclic compound (Me₂SiO)₆. This has a 12-membered ring with alternating Si and O atoms. It is identified by comparison of its infrared spectrum with a spectrum of an authentic sample. The reaction appears to proceed by stepwise insertion of O atoms into Si---Si bonds.     

柄型茂金属化合物(Ⅲ)──四甲基二硅桥连二(1-茚基和四氢茚基)钛和锆化合物的合成及催化乙烯聚合

1,2二(1茚基)四甲基二硅烷相继与丁基锂及MCl₄·2THF作用,生成四甲基二硅桥连二(1茚基)钛和锆化合物(Me₂SiSiMe₂)[Ind]₂MCl₂[M=Ti(1),Zr(2)].对其进行催化氢化,得到相应的四氢茚基化合物(Me₂SiSiMe₂)[IndH₄]₂MCl₂[M=Ti(3),Zr(4)].通过元素分析、MS和1HNMR谱表征了化合物的分子结构,并研究了在MAO(MethylAluminoxane)的助催化下,化合物3和4对乙烯聚合的催化性能.同锆化合物4相比,钛化合物3活性较低,但得到聚乙烯的分子量却相当高.催化剂的活性和聚乙烯的分子量都具有明显的温度效应.     

聚乙烯载体催化剂的制备与表征

不同目数的聚乙烯粉末通过辐射方法接枝了4-乙烯基吡啶官能团.经甲基铝氧烷(MAO)预处理后负载了茂金属催化剂Cp₂ZrCl₂.光电子能谱和红外光谱结果表明催化剂通过MAO的作用负载在聚乙烯接枝4-乙烯基吡啶聚合物上.4-乙烯基吡啶的接枝含量、催化剂的负载率以及载体催化剂对乙烯单体的活性均随着聚乙烯粉末的颗粒减小而增大.