Bimetallic phenylene-bridged Cp/amide titanium complexes and their olefin polymerization

Bimetallic dichlorotitanium complexes, {2,6-[eta(5)-2,5-Me2C5H2](2)-4-R-C6H2N-microN}{Ti(IV)Cl2}2 (, R=Me; , R=F) and 4,4'-A[{2-(eta(5)-2,3,5-Me3C5H)C6H3NC6H11-kappaN}Ti(IV)Cl2]2 (, A=CH2; , A=O; , A=ortho-C6H4) are prepared via a key step of the Suzuki-coupling reaction of 2-dihydroxyboryl-3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one () with dibromo-compounds. The solid state structure of was determined by X-ray crystallography. Complexes and are not active for ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization. Meanwhile, the complexes are highly active and their activities are higher than that of the mononuclear analogue, {2-(eta(5)-2,3,5-Me3C5H)C6H3NC6H11-kappaN}Ti(IV)Cl2 (). The molecular weights of the polymers obtained with the bimetallic complexes are higher than that of the polymer obtained using . Slightly higher contents of long-chain-branching are observed for the copolymers obtained using the bimetallic system.     

Catalyst/cocatalyst nuclearity effects in single-site polymerization. Enhanced polyethylene branching and alpha-olefin comonomer enchainment in polymerizations mediated by binuclear catalysts and cocatalysts via a new enchainment pathway

The binuclear "constrained geometry catalyst" (CGC) (mu-CH2CH2-3,3'){(eta5-indenyl )[1-Me2Si(tBuN)](ZrMe2)}2 [EBICGC(ZrMe2)2; Zr2] and the trityl bisborate dianion (Ph3C+)2[1,4-(C6F5)3BC6F4B(C6F5)3]2- (B2) have been synthesized to serve as new types of multicenter homogeneous olefin polymerization catalysts and cocatalysts, respectively. Additionally, the complex [1-Me2Si(3-ethylindenyl)(tBuN)]ZrMe2 (Zr1) was synthesized as a mononuclear control. For the bimetallic catalyst or bisborate cocatalyst, high effective local active site concentrations and catalyst center-catalyst center cooperative effects are evidenced by bringing the catalytic centers together via either covalent or electrostatic bonding. For ethylene homopolymerization at constant conversion, the branch content of the polyolefin products (primarily ethyl branches) is dramatically increased as catalyst or cocatalyst nuclearity is increased. Moreover, catalyst and cocatalyst nuclearity effects are approximately additive. Compared to the catalyst derived from monometallic Zr1 and monofunctional Ph3C+B(C6F5)4- (B1), the active catalyst derived from bimetallic Zr2 and bifunctional B2 produces approximately 11 times more ethyl branches in ethylene homopolymerization via a process which is predominantly intradimer in character. Moreover, approximately 3 times more 1-hexene incorporation in ethylene + 1-hexene copolymerization and approximately 4 times more 1-pentene incorporation in ethylene + 1-pentene copolymerization are observed for Zr2 + B2 versus Zr1 + B1.     

Half-zirconocene anilide complexes: synthesis, characterization and catalytic properties for ethylene polymerization and copolymerization with 1-hexene

A number of half-zirconocene anilide complexes of the type Cp*ZrCl(2)[N(2,6-R(1)(2)C(6)H(3))R(2)] [R(1) = (i)Pr (1, 3), Me (2); R(2) = Me (1, 2), Bn (3)] and Cp*ZrCl[N(2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))Me](2) (4) (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) were synthesized from the reactions of Cp*ZrCl(3) with the lithium salts of the corresponding anilide in diethyl ether at room temperature. All new zirconium complexes were characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR and elemental analysis. Molecular structures of complexes 1, 2 and 4 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Upon activation with Al(i)Bu(3) and Ph(3)CB(C(6)F(5))(4), complexes 1-4 exhibit good catalytic activity for ethylene polymerization, and produce polyethylene with a moderate molecular weight. Among these zirconium complexes, complex 1 shows the highest catalytic activity while complex 4 shows the lowest catalytic activity for ethylene polymerization. Complexes 1-3 also exhibit moderate catalytic activity for copolymerization of ethylene with 1-hexene, and produce copolymers with relatively high molecular weight and reasonable 1-hexene incorporation. In addition, the activation procedure of these catalyst systems were studied by (1)H NMR spectroscopy.     

Preparation, structure, and ethylene (co)polymerization behavior of Group IV metal complexes with an [OSSO]-carborane ligand

The synthesis of Group IV metal complexes that contain a tetradentate dianionic [OSSO]-carborane ligand [(HOC(6)H(2)tBu(2)-4,6)(2)(CH(2))(2)S(2)C(2 (B(10)H(10))] (1a) is described. Reactions of TiCl(4) and Ti(OiPr)(4) with the [OSSO]-type ligand 1a afford six-coordinated titanium complex [Ti(OC(6)H(2)tBu(2)-4,6)(2)(CH(2))(2)S(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))Cl(2)] (2a) and four-coordinated titanium complex [Ti(OC(6)H(2)tBu(2)-4,6)(2)(CH(2))(2)S(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))(OiPr)(2)] (2b), respectively. ZrCl(4) and HfCl(4) were treated with 1a to give six-coordinated zirconium complex [Zr(OC(6)H(2)tBu(2)-4,6)(2)(CH(2))(2)S(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))Cl(2) (thf)(2)] (2c) and six-coordinated hafnium complex [Hf(OC(6)H(2)tBu(2)-4,6)(2)(CH(2))(2)S(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))Cl(2)] (2d). All the complexes were fully characterized by IR, NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. In addition, X-ray structure analyses were performed on complexes 2a and 2b and reveal the expected different coordination geometry due to steric hindrance effects. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy was performed on complexes 2c and 2d to describe the coordination chemistry of this ligand around Zr and Hf. Six-coordinated titanium complex 2a showed good activity toward ethylene polymerization as well as toward copolymerization of ethylene with 1-hexene in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) as cocatalyst (up to 1060 kg[mol(Ti)](-1) h(-1) in the case of 10 atm of ethylene pressure).     

Synthesis and structures of (R)-cyclopentadienyl-binaphthoxy titanium(IV) complexes and catalytic properties for olefin polymerization

Two new chiral pre-ligands, (R)-3,3'-bis(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)-2,2'-bismethoxy-1,1'-bisnaphthalene (1) and (R)-3-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl-2,2'-bismethoxy-1,1'-bisnaphthalene (2), were synthesized by reaction of (R)-3,3'-dilithium-2,2'-bismethoxy-1,1'-bisnaphthalene with 2,3,4,5-tetramethyl-2-cyclopentenone at room temperature. Treatment of the pre-ligands 1 and 2 with butyllithium and Me(3)SiCl first, and subsequently with TiCl(4) (2 and 1 equiv for 1 and 2, respectively) afforded a binuclear complex (R)-3,3'-bis[(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)trichlorotitanium]-2,2'-bismethoxy-1,1'-bisnaphthalene (3) and a mononuclear complex (R)-3-(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)trichlorotitanium-2,2'-bismethoxy-1,1'-bisnaphthalene (4) in moderate yields. Complexes 3 and 4 were further converted into constrained geometry complexes (R)-1,1'-bis{2,2'-naphthoxy-3,3'-bis[(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)dibromotitanium]} (5) and (R)-1-(2-naphthoxy)-1'-(2'-naphthol)-3-(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)dibromotitanium (6) by treatment with BBr(3). The pre-ligands 1 and 2 were characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR and high resolution mass spectroscopy (HRMS), and the new titanium complexes 3-6 were characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR and elemental analyses. Molecular structures of 4, 5, and 6 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Complexes 4, 5, and 6 all have a pseudo-octahedral coordination environment and adopt a three-legged piano stool geometry around the titanium atom in their solid state structures. When activated with Al(i)Bu(3) and Ph(3)CB(C(6)F(5))(4), the chiral complexes 5 and 6 show moderate catalytic activities for propylene, 1-hexene, and 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene (ENB) polymerization and ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization. The polymers produced by the chiral 5/(i)Bu(3)Al/Ph(3)CB(C(6)F(5))(4) catalyst system from the 1-hexene, and ENB polymerization and ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization with high comonomer contents exhibit optical activity.     

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.     

Copolymerization of silyl vinyl ethers with olefins by (alpha-diimine)PdR+

This paper reports that (alpha-diimine)PdMe+ catalyzes the copolymerization of olefins and silyl vinyl ethers. The reactions of (alpha-diimine)PdMe+ (alpha-diimine = (2,6-iPr2-C6H3)N=CMe-CMe=N(2,6-iPr2-C6H3)) with excess vinyl ethers CH2=CHOR (1a-d: R = tBu (a), SiMe3 (b), SiPh3 (c), Ph (d)) in CH2Cl2 at 20 degrees C afford polymers for 1a (rapidly) and 1b (slowly) but not for 1c or 1d. The structures of poly(1a,b) indicate a cationic polymerization mechanism. The reaction of (alpha-diimine)PdMe+ with 1-2 equiv of 1a-d proceeds by sequential C=C pi-complexation to form (alpha-diimine)PdMe(CH2=CHOR)+ (2a-d), 1,2 insertion to form (alpha-diimine)Pd(CH2CHMeOR)+ (3a-d), reversible isomerization to (alpha-diimine)Pd(CMe2OR)+ (4a-d), beta-OR elimination to generate (alpha-diimine)Pd(OR)(CH2=CHMe)+ (not observed), and allylic C-H activation to yield (alpha-diimine)Pd(eta3-C3H5)+ (5) and ROH. The reaction of (alpha-diimine)PdMe+ with 1-hexene/1b and 1-hexene/1c mixtures in CH2Cl2 at 20 degrees C affords copolymers containing up to 20 mol % silyl vinyl ether. The copolymers were purified to be free of any -[CH2CHOSiR3]n- homopolymer. The copolymer structures are similar to that of homopoly(1-hexene) generated under the same conditions. The major comonomer units are CH3CH(OSiR3)CH2-, CH2(OSiR3)CH2- and -CH2CH(OSiR3)CH2-. The 1-hexene/CH2=CHOSiR3 copolymers can be desilylated to give 1-hexene/CH2=CHOH copolymers. The results of control experiments argue against cationic and radical mechanisms for the copolymerization, and an insertion/chain-walking mechanism is proposed.     

Mechanistic studies of olefin and alkyne trimerization with chromium catalysts: deuterium labeling and studies of regiochemistry using a model chromacyclopentane complex

A system for catalytic trimerization of ethylene utilizing chromium(III) precursors supported by diphosphine ligand PNP(O4) = (o-MeO-C6H4)2PN(Me)P(o-MeO-C6H4)2 has been investigated. The mechanism of the olefin trimerization reaction was examined using deuterium labeling and studies of reactions with alpha-olefins and internal olefins. A well-defined chromium precursor utilized in this studies is Cr(PNP(O4))(o,o'-biphenyldiyl)Br. A cationic species, obtained by halide abstraction with NaB[C6H3(CF3)2]4, is required for catalytic turnover to generate 1-hexene from ethylene. The initiation byproduct is vinylbiphenyl; this is formed even without activation by halide abstraction. Trimerization of 2-butyne is accomplished by the same cationic system but not by the neutral species. Catalytic trimerization, with various (PNP(O4))Cr precursors, of a 1:1 mixture of C2D4 and C2H4 gives isotopologs of 1-hexene without H/D scrambling (C6D12, C6D8H4, C6D4H8, and C6H12 in a 1:3:3:1 ratio). The lack of crossover supports a mechanism involving metallacyclic intermediates. Using a SHOP catalyst to perform the oligomerization of a 1:1 mixture of C2D4 and C2H4 leads to the generation of a broader distribution of 1-hexene isotopologs, consistent with a Cossee-type mechanism for 1-hexene formation. The ethylene trimerization reaction was further studied by the reaction of trans-, cis-, and gem-ethylene-d2 upon activation of Cr(PNP(O4))(o,o'-biphenyldiyl)Br with NaB[C6H3(CF3)2]4. The trimerization of cis- and trans-ethylene-d2 generates 1-hexene isotopomers having terminal CDH groups, with an isotope effect of 3.1(1) and 4.1(1), respectively. These results are consistent with reductive elimination of 1-hexene from a putative Cr(H)[(CH2)4CH=CH2] occurring much faster than a hydride 2,1-insertion or with concerted 1-hexene formation from a chromacycloheptane via a 3,7-H shift. The trimerization of gem-ethylene-d2 has an isotope effect of 1.3(1), consistent with irreversible formation of a chromacycloheptane intermediate on route to 1-hexene formation. Reactions of olefins with a model of a chromacyclopentane were investigated starting from Cr(PNP(O4))(o,o'-biphenyldiyl)Br. alpha-Olefins react with cationic biphenyldiyl chromium species to generate products from 1,2-insertion. A study of the reaction of 2-butenes indicated that beta-H elimination occurs preferentially from the ring CH rather than exo-CH bond in the metallacycloheptane intermediates. A study of cotrimerization of ethylene with propylene correlates with these findings of regioselectivity. Competition experiments with mixtures of two olefins indicate that the relative insertion rates generally decrease with increasing size of the olefins.     

Activation of olefins with low-valent gallium compounds under ambient conditions

The reactions of Ar'GaGaAr' (Ar' = C(6)H(3)-2,6-(C(6)H(3)-2,6-(i)Pr(2))(2)) with alkenes revealed the addition of two olefins per Ar'GaGaAr' under ambient conditions for ethylene, propene, 1-hexene and styrene but no reactions with more hindered or cyclic olefins.     

Catalytic oligomerization of ethylene to higher linear alpha-olefins promoted by the cationic group 4 [(eta 5-Cp-(CMe2-bridge)-Ph)MII(ethylene)2]+ (M = Ti, Zr, Hf) active catalysts: a density functional investigation of the influence of the metal on the catalytic activity and selectivity

A detailed theoretical analysis is presented of the catalytic abilities of heavier group 4 (M = Zr, Hf) metals for linear ethylene oligomerization with the cationic [(eta(5)-C(5)H(4)-(CMe(2)-bridge)-C(6)H(5))M(IV)(CH(3))(2)](+) complex as precatalyst, employing a gradient-corrected DFT method. The parent Ti system has been reported as a highly selective catalyst for ethylene trimerization. The mechanism involving metallacycle intermediates, originally proposed by Briggs and Jolly, has been supported by the present study to be operative for the investigated class of group 4 catalysts. Metallacycle growth through bimolecular ethylene uptake and subsequent insertion is likely to occur at uniform rates for larger cycles that are furthermore comparable for Ti, Zr, and Hf catalysts. Ethylene insertion into the two smallest five- and seven-membered cycles is found to become accelerated for Zr and Hf catalysts, which is due to geometrical factors. In contrast, electronic effects act to raise the barrier for metallacycle decomposition, affording alpha-olefins upon descending group 4. This process is furthermore predicted to be kinetically more difficult for larger metallacycles. The oligomer distribution of the Zr-mediated reaction is likely to comprise predominantly 1-hexene together with 1-octene, while 1-butene and alpha-olefins of chain lengths C(10)-C(18) should occur only in negligible portions. A similar composition of alpha-olefins having C(6)-C(18) chain lengths is indicated for the Hf catalysts, but with long-chain oligomers and polymers as the prevalent fraction. Between the group 4 catalysts of the investigated type, the Zr system appears as the most promising candidate having catalytic potential for production of 1-octene, although not selectively. The influence of temperature to modulate the oligomer product composition has been evaluated.     

一种新型亚胺基吡啶铁配合物和茂金属复配催化乙烯原位共聚制备LLDPE

20世纪80年代中期,Kissin等人^[1]首先采用了乙烯二聚催化剂和传统Ziegler-Natta催化剂组成双功能催化体系,催化乙烯原位聚合制备短支链线性低密度聚乙烯(LLDPE)．由于该方法具有不需要另外加入α-烯烃的特点,近年来受到人们的重视．胡友良^[2-4]等人用乙烯二聚催化剂Ti-     

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.     

Chiral fluorous dialkoxy-diamino zirconium complexes: synthesis and use in stereospecific polymerization of 1-hexene

New catalysts for the isospecific polymerization of 1-hexene based on cationic zirconium complexes incorporating the tetradentate fluorous dialkoxy-diamino ligands [OC(CF(3))(2)CH(2)N(Me)(CH(2))(2)N(Me)CH(2)C(CF(3))(2)O](2-) [(ON(2)NO)(2-)] and [OC(CF(3))(2)CH(2)N(Me)(1R,2R-C(6)H(10))N(Me)CH(2)C(CF(3))(2)O](2-) [(ON(Cy)NO)(2-)] have been developed. The chiral fluorous diamino-diol [(ON(Cy)NO)H(2), 2] was prepared by ring-opening of the fluorinated oxirane (CF(3))(2)COCH(2) with (R,R)-N,N'-dimethyl-1,2-cyclohexanediamine. Proligand 2 reacts cleanly with [Zr(CH(2)Ph)(4)] and [Ti(OiPr)(4)] precursors to give the corresponding dialkoxy complexes [Zr(CH(2)Ph)(2)(ON(Cy)NO)] (3) and [Ti(OiPr)(2)(ON(Cy)NO)] (4), respectively. An X-ray diffraction study revealed that 3 crystallizes as a 1:1 mixture of two diastereomers (Lambda-3 and Delta-3), both of which adopt a distorted octahedral structure with trans-O, cis-N, and cis-CH(2)Ph ligands. The two diastereomers Lambda-3 and Delta-3 adopt a C(2)-symmetric structure in toluene solution, as established by NMR spectroscopy. Cationic complexes [Zr(CH(2)Ph)(ON(2)NO)(THF)(n)](+) (n=0, anion=[B(C(6)F(5))(4)](-), 5; n=1, anion=[PhCH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(3)](-), 6) and [Zr(CH(2)Ph)(ON(Cy)NO)(THF)](+)[PhCH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(3)](-) (7) were generated from the neutral parent precursors [Zr(CH(2)Ph)(2)(ON(2)NO)] (H) and [Zr(CH(2)Ph)(2)(ON(Cy)NO)] (3), and their possible structures were determined on the basis of (1)H, (19)F, and (13)C NMR spectroscopy and DFT methods. The neutral zirconium complexes H and 3 (Lambda-3/Delta-3 mixture), when activated with B(C(6)F(5))(3) or [Ph(3)C](+)[B(C(6)F(5))(4)](-), catalyze the polymerization of 1-hexene with overall activities of up to 4500 kg PH mol Zr(-1) h(-1), to yield isotactic-enriched (up to 74 % mmmm) polymers with low-to-moderate molecular weights (M(w)=4800-47 200) and monodisperse molecular-weight distributions (M(w)/M(n)=1.17-1.79).     

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.     

碳桥限制构型催化剂催化乙烯1-己烯共聚和共聚物结构表征

为了碳桥限制构型催化剂(CpCN-CGC)的工业应用,为模试提供工艺参数,我们考察了用这种催化剂,以正庚烷为溶剂,甲基铝氧烷(MAO)为助催化剂的乙烯与1-己烯共聚,考察因素包括聚合温度、乙烯压力、铝锆比、氢气压力和1-己烯浓度.研究发现聚合温度从100升高到140℃,共聚活性先升高再降低,聚合物分子量持续降低;氢气分压从0.1增加到0.8 MPa,共聚活性仍呈先升高再降低,聚合物分子量持续降低的趋势;乙烯压力从0.4升高到1.8 MPa,共聚活性先升高再降低,但聚合物分子量逐步增大;Al/Zr从500升高到1 000,共聚活性逐步增大,但聚合物分子量趋向减小.优化工艺条件为:催化剂用量为10μmol,Al/Zr=700,聚合温度为110~120℃,乙烯压力为1.2~1.4 MPa,1-己烯加入量为20 mL,聚合时间为30 min.此时共聚活性最高达到106g/(mol-Zr·h),共聚物中1-己烯插入率达到了8.34%;用13C-NMR、GPC、DSC表征了聚合产物,计算了二单元组和三段组序列分布,并发现有交替共聚片段HEHE存在.最后还讨论了在聚合物中发现的多种支链的形成机理.     

Cationic benzyl zirconium heteroscorpionates: synthesis and characterization of a novel ethylene polymerisation catalyst showing an unusual temperature dependent polymerisation mechanism

The reaction of (bpzmp)Zr(CH2Ph)3 with B(C6F5)3 produces the active ethylene polymerisation catalyst [(bpzmp)Zr(CH2Ph)2]+[PhCH2B(C6F5)3]- which showed a temperature dependent polymerisation mechanism identified by variable temperature 1H NMR analysis of the catalyst solution.     

Thermal and structural investigation of random ethylene/1-hexene copolymers with high 1-hexene content

Random ethylene/1-hexene copolymers with the 1-hexene content in the range from 2 to 28 mol% were produced with a novel post-metallocene catalyst and analyzed by three techniques, FTIR, ¹³C NMR, and DSC. The 1-hexene content and the sequence distribution in the copolymers were determined by means of FTIR-M and ¹³C NMR. The crystallization behavior of the copolymers was studied by DSC under dynamic and isothermal conditions; the Avrami model was used to analyze the crystallization kinetics. It was found that both the 1-hexene content and the crystallization temperature affect the relative crystallinity. The bulk crystallization rate decreases with the 1-hexene content and reduces exponentially with an increase of T _c. The melting behavior of isothermally crystallized samples was also investigated and it was found that the melting temperatures of the copolymers under equilibrium conditions were related to the composition.     

Highly active ethylene polymerization and regioselective 1-hexene oligomerization using zirconium and titanium catalysts with tridentate [ONO] ligands

A series of tridentate dianionic ligands [4-(t)Bu-6-R-2-(3-R'-5-(t)Bu-2-OC(6)H(2))N=CH C(6)H(2)O](2-) (L) [R = R' = (t)Bu (L1); R = CMe(2)Ph, R' = (t)Bu (L2); R = adamantyl, R' = (t)Bu (L3); R = R' = CMe(2)Ph (L4); R = SiMe(2)(t)Bu, R' = CMe(2)Ph (L5)] were synthesized. Reactions of TiCl(4) with 1 equiv of ligands L1-L5 in toluene afford five-coordinate titanium complexes with general formula LTiCl(2) [L = L1 (1); L2 (2); L3 (3); L4 (4); L5 (5)]. The addition of tetrahydrofuran (THF) to titanium complex 5 readily gives THF-solvated six-coordinate complex 6, which also was obtained by reaction of TiCl(4) with 1 equiv of ligand L5 in THF. Reactions of ZrCl(4) with 1 or 2 equiv of ligands L1-L5 afford six-coordinate zirconium mono(ligand) complexes LZrCl(2)(THF) [L = L2 (7); L4 (8); L5 (9)], and bis(ligand) complexes L(2)Zr [L = L1 (10); L4 (11)]. The molecular structures of complexes 2, 8, and 11 were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Upon activation with methylaluminoxane, complexes 1-9 are active for ethylene polymerization. The activities and half-lifes of the catalyst systems based on zirconium complexes are more than 10(6) g of polyethylene (mol Zr)(-1) h(-1) and 6 h, respectively. Complex 9 is more active and long-lived, with a turnover frequency (TOF) of 2.6 × 10(5) (mol C(2)H(4)) (mol Zr)(-1) h(-1), a half-life of >16 h, and a total turnover number (TON) of more than 10(6) (mol C(2)H(4)) (mol Zr)(-1) at 20 °C and 0.5 MPa pressure. Even at 80 °C, complex 9/MAO catalyst system has a long lifetime (t(1/2) > 2 h), as well as high activity that is comparable with that at 20 °C. When activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO), complex 9 also show moderate catalytic activity and more than 99% 2,1-regioselectivity for 1-hexene oligomerization.     

Direct observation of insertion events at rac-(C2H4(1-indenyl)2)Zr(MeB(C6F5)3)-polymeryl intermediates: distinction between continuous and intermittent propagation modes

The propagating species for 1-hexene, propene, and ethene polymerization as catalyzed by [rac-(C2H4(1-indenyl)2)Zr(CH3)][CH3B(C6F5)3] has been intercepted at T < -40 degrees C and characterized by NMR methods. Observation of the propagating species permits direct monitoring of initiation, propagation, and termination processes by NMR. Detailed examination of alkene incorporation into Zr-polymeryl species using 13C-labeled 1-alkenes supports a continuous insertion mechanism whereby the anion re-coordinates after each alkene insertion.     

Homo-polymerization of alpha-olefins and co-polymerization of higher alpha-olefins with ethylene in the presence of CpTiCl2(OC6H4X-p)/MAO catalysts (X = CH3, Cl)

Cyclopentadienyl-titanium complexes containing -OC6H4X ligands (X = Cl,CH3) activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO) were used in the homo-polymerization of ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-butene, and 1-hexene, and also in co-polymerization of ethylene with the alpha-olefins mentioned. The -X substituents exhibit different electron donor-acceptor properties, which is described by Hammett's factor (sigma).The chlorine atom is electron acceptor, while the methyl group is electron donor. These catalysts allow the preparation of polyethylene in a good yield. Propylene in the presence of the catalysts mentioned dimerizes and oligomerizes to trimers and tetramers at 25 degrees C under normal pressure. If the propylene pressure was increased to 7 atmospheres,CpTiCl2(OC6H4CH3)/MAO catalyst at 25 degrees gave mixtures with different contents of propylene dimers, trimers and tetramers. At 70 degrees C we obtained only propylene trimer.Using the catalysts with a -OC(6)H(4)Cl ligand we obtained atactic polymers with M(w) 182,000 g/mol (at 25 degrees C) and 100,000 g/mol (at 70 degrees C). The superior activity of the CpTiCl2(OC6H4Cl)/MAO catalyst used in polymerization of propylene prompted us to check its activity in polymerization of higher alpha-olefins (1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene)and in co-polymerization of these olefins with ethylene. However, when homo-polymerization was carried out in the presence of this catalyst no polymers were obtained. Gas chromatography analysis revealed the presence of dimers. The activity of the CpTiCl2(OC6H4Cl)/MAO catalyst in the co-polymerization of ethylene with higher alpha-olefins is limited by the length of the co-monomer carbon chain. Hence, the highest catalyst activities were observed in co-polymerization of ethylene with propylene (here a lower pressure of the reagents and shorter reaction time were applied to obtain catalytic activity similar to that for other co-monomers). For other co-monomers the activity of the catalyst decreases as follows: propylene >1-butene > 1-pentene > 1-hexene. In the case of co-polymerization of ethylene with propylene, besides an increase in catalytic activity, an increase in the average molecular weight M(w) of the polymer was observed. Other co- monomers used in this study caused a decrease of molecular weight. A significant increase in molecular weight distribution (M(w)/M(n)) evidences a great variety of polymer chains formed during the reaction.