Neutral Nickel Ethylene Oligo‐ and Polymerization Catalysts: Towards Computational Catalyst Prediction and Design

DFT calculations have been used to elucidate the chain termination mechanisms for neutral nickel ethylene oligo‐ and polymerization catalysts and to rationalize the kind of oligomers and polymers produced by each catalyst. The catalysts studied are the (κ²‐O,O)‐coordinated (1,1,1,5,5,5‐hexafluoro‐2,4‐acetylacetonato)nickel catalyst I , the (κ²‐P,O)‐coordinated SHOP‐type nickel catalyst II , the (κ²‐N,O)‐coordinated anilinotropone and salicylaldiminato nickel catalysts III and IV , respectively, and the (κ²‐P,N)‐coordinated phosphinosulfonamide nickel catalyst V . Numerous termination pathways involving β‐H elimination and β‐H transfer steps have been investigated, and the most probable routes identified. Despite the complexity and multitude of the possible termination pathways, the information most critical to chain termination is contained in only few transition states. In addition, by consideration of the propagation pathway, we have been able to estimate chain lengths and discriminate between oligo‐ and polymerization catalysts. In agreement with experiment, we found the Gibbs free energy difference between the overall barrier for the most facile propagation and termination pathways to be close to 0 kcal mol^?1 for the ethylene oligomerization catalysts I and V , whereas values of at least 7 kcal mol^?1 in favor of propagation were determined for the polymerization catalysts III and IV . Because of the shared intermediates between the termination and branching pathways, we have been able to identify the preferred cis/trans regiochemistry of β‐H elimination and show that a pronounced difference in σ donation of the two bridgehead atoms of the bidentate ligand can suppress hydride formation and thus branching. The degree of rationalization obtained here from a handful of key intermediates and transition states is promising for the use of computational methods in the screening and prediction of new catalysts of the title class.     

Structure-reactivity relationships in SHOP-type complexes: tunable catalysts for the oligomerisation and polymerisation of ethylene

For over 30 years complexes with the general formula [NiPh(P,O)L] (L = tertiary phosphine; P,O = chelating phosphanylenolato ligand) have been used as highly efficient oligomerisation catalysts suitable for the production of linear alpha-olefins. The same complexes, which are usually referred to as SHOP-type catalysts (SHOP = Shell Higher Olefin Process) can also be used as ethylene polymerisation catalysts, provided they are treated with a phosphine scavenger that selectively removes the tertiary phosphine ligand (L). This Perspective examines the impact of various parameters (influence of the substituents, backbone size, solvent, use of co-catalysts, etc.) on the catalytic outcome of the complexes. Overall, this review shows that the selectivity and activity of the catalyst may be tuned efficiently through directed modification of the P,O chelator.     

Free energy profiles for monomer capture in Grubbs- and SHOP-type olefin polymerization catalysts: a constraint ab initio molecular dynamics study

Density functional theory together with Car-Parrinello ab initio molecular dynamics simulation has been used to investigate the free energy profiles (FEP) of monomer capture in Grubbs- and SHOP-type olefin polymerization catalysts. The FEPs along the reaction coordinates at 300 K were determined directly by a point wise thermodynamic integration technique. Comparison between potential energy profile (PEP) and the FEP has been made. The results show that, for both catalysts, the PEP for the monomer ethylene uptake by the metal center is a typical Morse curve without energy barrier. However, a small barrier (1.8 kcal/mol for Grubbs catalyst and 2.4 kcal/mol for SHOP catalyst) exists on the FEP. The pi complexation energy on the FES at 300 K is higher by 10-12 kcal/mol over that on the PES. The differences between FES and PES are due to entropy contribution. Slow growth simulations on the ethylene capture process show that the ethylene attacks the metal center by an asynchronous mode. This indicates that the forming of the pi-bonding between the metal and ethylene is initiated by electrophilic attack of the metal to one of the ethylene carbons.     

超支化铬系催化剂的合成及乙烯齐聚性能研究

以不同端基烷基链长度的1.0G超支化大分子为桥联基,通过对其端基氨基进行催化功能改性,合成了系列具有不同桥联基长度的超支化PNP铬系催化剂。采用红外光谱(IR)、核磁共振氢谱(1H-NMR)、核磁共振磷谱(31P-NMR)、紫外光谱(UV)和质谱(MS)等表征方法证明合成催化剂的结构与理论结构相符。详细考察了溶剂种类、反应温度、Al/Cr摩尔比、反应压力、催化剂用量和催化剂结构对催化剂乙烯齐聚性能的影响。实验结果表明,当以甲苯为溶剂,甲基铝氧烷(MAO)为助催化剂时,超支化PNP铬系催化剂表现出良好的催化乙烯齐聚性能,产物以低碳烯烃为主。最佳条件下,催化活性最高可达到1.69×105g/mol Cr·h,己烯和辛烯的选择性为43.3%以上。相同聚合条件下,其催化活性随着端基烷基链长度的增加而下降。     

超支化铬系催化剂的合成及乙烯齐聚性能研究

以正辛胺和十二胺为原料,分别制备了两种超支化PNP配体,通过引入金属铬活性位点的方法合成了具有不同烷基链长度的超支化PNP铬系催化剂.采用红外光谱(IR)、核磁共振磷谱(~(31)P-NMR)、核磁共振氢谱(~1H-NMR)、紫外光谱(UV)和质谱(MS)等表征方法证明合成催化剂的结构与理论结构预测相符.详细考察了催化剂用量、溶剂种类、反应条件以及配合物结构对乙烯齐聚性能的影响.实验结果显示,超支化PNP铬系催化剂在甲苯作溶剂,甲基铝氧烷(MAO)做助催化剂时表现出良好的催化乙烯齐聚性能,产物主要为低碳烯烃.在最佳条件下,催化活性最高可达到1.69×10~5 g·(mol Cr·h)~(-1),己烯和辛烯的选择性为43.3%以上.相同聚合条件下,其催化活性随着端基烷基链长度的增加而下降.     

Synthesis and structures of nickel and palladium salicylaldiminato 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA) complexes

The synthesis of nickel(II) and palladium(II) salicylaldiminato complexes incorporating the water-soluble phosphine 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane(PTA) has been achieved employing two preparative routes. Reaction of the original ethylene polymerization catalyst developed by Grubbs and co-workers (Organometallics 1998, 17, 3149), (salicylaldiminato)Ni(Ph)PPh(3), with PTA using a homogeneous methanol/toluene solvent system resulted in the formation of the PTA analogues in good yields. Alternatively, complexes of this type may be synthesized via a direct approach utilizing (tmeda)M(CH(3))(2) (M = Ni, Pd), the corresponding salicylaldimine, and PTA. Yields by this method were generally near quantitative. The complexes were characterized in solution by (1)H/(13)C/(31)P NMR spectroscopy and in the solid-state by X-ray crystallography. All derivatives exhibited square-planar geometry with the bulky isopropyl groups on the aniline being perpendicular to the plane formed by the metal center and its four ligands. Such orientation of these sterically encumbering groups is responsible for polymer chain growth during olefin polymerization in favor of chain termination via beta-hydride elimination. Polymerization reactions were attempted using the nickel-PTA complexes in a biphasic toluene/water mixture in an effort to initiate ethylene polymerization by trapping the dissociated phosphine ligand in the water layer, thereby eliminating the need for a phosphine scavenger. Unfortunately, because of the strong binding ability of the small, donating phosphine(PTA) as compared to PPh(3), phosphine dissociation did not occur at a temperature where the complexes are thermally stable.     

Co-oligomerization of ethylene and higher linear alpha olefins. II. Olefin reactivities in various reaction steps of co-oligomerization with nickel ylide-based system

Part I described co-oligomerization reactions of ethylene and various linear α-olefins (propylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, and 1-decene) in the presence of the homogeneous catalyst consisting of sulfonated nickel ylide and diethylaluminum ethoxide. The present article analyzes olefin reactivities in various reaction steps of the co-oligomerization reactions as well as reactivities of various catalytic species. Chain propagation reactions (insertion into the Ni? C bonds) with participation of α-olefins exhibit poor regioselectivity, primary insertion being ca. 60% more probable than the secondary insertion. Ethylene is significantly more reactive in chain propagation reactions: 50–70 times compared to olefin primary insertion and 100–120 times compared to olefin secondary insertion. Reactivities of α-olefins in chain propagation reactions decrease slightly for higher olefin alkyl groups. Reactivities of Ni? C bonds in chain propagation and chain termination reactions strongly depend on the structure of the alkyl group attached to the nickel atom. The Ni? CHR? CH₂? R bond has very low reactivity in ethylene insertion reaction and usually decomposes in the α-hydrogen elimination process. Kinetic analysis of olefin co-oligomerization reactions provides numerous analogies with olefin copolymerization reactions in the presence of Ziegler–Natta catalysts.     

乙烯齐聚合成线性 α-烯烃镍系催化剂

利用SHOP型工艺由乙烯齐聚制备线性α-烯烃不仅具有工业应用价值，而且具有很高的学术意义。SHOP型工艺的工业化引起了人们对基于P^∩O配位型及其他配位型镍催化剂的广泛的研究兴趣。镍系催化剂具有活性高、选择性好、产品分布可调、反应条件温和等优良性能。本文介绍了镍系催化剂的类型和性能等，并对影响催化性能的因素进行了分析。     

Co-oligomerization of ethylene and higher linear alpha olefins. I. Co-oligomerization with the sulfonated nickel ylide-based catalytic system

Co-oligomers of ethylene and a series of linear α-olefins (propylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, and 1-decene) were synthesized with a homogeneous catalyst consisting of sulfonated nickel ylide and diethylaluminum ethoxide at 90°C. GC analysis of the co-oligomerization products allowed complete structural identification of all reaction products, α-olefins with linear and branched chains, vinylidene olefins, and linear olefins with internal double bonds. The article describes the reaction scheme of ethylene–olefin co-oligomerization. The scheme includes chain initiation reactions (insertion of ethylene or an olefin into the Ni? H bond), chain propagation reactions, and chain termination reactions via β-hydride elimination. Primary and secondary inertions of α-olefins into the Ni? H bond in the initiation stage proceed with nearly equal probabilities. Higher olefins participate in the chain growth reactions (insertion into the Ni? C bond) also both in primary and secondary insertion modes. The primary insertion of an α-olefin molecule into the Ni? C bond produces the β-branched Ni? CH₂? CR₁R₂ group. This group is susceptible to β-hydride elimination with the formation of vinylidene olefins. However, the Ni? CH₂? CR₁R₂ groups can participate in further ethylene insertion reactions and thus form vinyl oligomerization products with branched alkyl groups. On the other hand, the secondary insertion of an α-olefin molecule into the Ni? C bond produces the α-branched Ni? CR₁R₂ bond which does not participate in further chain growth reactions and undergoes the β-hydride elimination reaction with the formation of linear reaction products with internal double bonds. Most co-oligomer molecules contain only one α-olefin fragment. However, the analysis of ethylene-propylene and ethylene-1-heptene co-oligomers allowed identification of products with two olefinic fragments which are also formed in the copolymerization reactions with small yields.     

水杨醛亚胺钒（III）化合物催化乙烯聚合反应机理

钒系烯烃聚合催化剂在工业上有着不可替代的位置,它可用于制备高活性窄分布的聚合物、乙烯与α-烯烃共聚物和间规聚丙烯等。但由于实验手段难以确定钒催化剂活性物种的结构,进一步对催化机理的确认及催化剂结构的改进十分困难。本文运用密度泛函方法对水杨醛亚胺钒配合物催化乙烯聚合的活性物种结构进行了理论研究。对多种活性物种模型的比较研究结果表明,对此催化反应最有利的活性物种为中性双金属物种a1, a1结构中包含两个连接铝原子与钒中心的氯桥结构。研究同时表明,助催化剂AlEt2Cl的存在不仅加速了钒配合物前体的烷基化反应,同时其对活性物种a1结构中氯桥的形成至关重要。最后还研究了该催化体系的链终止反应机理。     

Possible side reactions due to water in emulsion polymerization by late transition metal complexes. 1. Water complexation and hydrolysis of the growing chain

The transition metal catalyzed ethylene polymerization in aqueous emulsion has been increasingly successful in the last couple of years. Water however adversely affects the polymerization process by (a) competing with ethylene for the binding site at the metal and (b) hydrolyzing the growing chain. Neutral salicylaldiminato and cationic diimine complexes of Ni and Pd with different substituent patterns are studied here by density functional theory to determine their propensity toward water complexation and hydrolysis of the growing chain. Experimental NMR studies have also been carried out on the protonolysis of the Ni(II)-based Grubbs catalyst. It is found that in general that (a) ethylene coordination is preferred over water coordination for both Ni and Pd catalysts and (b) hydrolysis of the metal alkyl bond is competitive to ethylene insertion.     

Theoretical evaluation of ethylene insertion into chromium alkyl bonds of Cp-donor-based olefin polymerization catalysts

We propose routes for the catalytic cycle and possible termination reactions for the polymerization of ethylene with cationic chromium complexes of the type [CpCr(L)R](+) which contain donor ligands with phosphorus or nitrogen (L = PR(3) or NR(3)). We confirm the rate-determining character of the insertion of ethylene into the chromium-alkyl bond. Contrary to the situation with late transition metals, the resulting agostic isomers will readily isomerize. The termination of the polymerization reaction by β-hydrogen elimination to the chromium center and subsequent dissociation of the resulting olefin is found to require about 25 kcal/mol and to be thermodynamically much less feasible than the alternative termination process by β-hydrogen transfer to a monomer. The latter process involves spin change; two minimum-energy crossing points as well as further transition states and intermediates have been identified. Our calculations predict that adduct formation with the polymerization additive 9-BBN should be feasible both from a Cp-quinoline-based chromium catalyst and a zirconocene catalyst. However, only the latter undergoes exergonic chain transfer, which is in accordance with the experimentally observed formation of ultrahigh M(W) polyethylene when using 9-BBN as polymerization additive in combination with Cr catalysts. For the first time, quantum dynamics simulations of such open-shell systems have been performed, which give a lifetime of the Cr-alkyl complex with regard to ethylene insertion of only 500 fs. The simulations indicate that the dissociation of ethylene from the chromium center should be relatively insignificant compared to migratory insertion.     

Well-defined vanadium complexes as the catalysts for olefin polymerization

The design and synthesis of well-defined vanadium complexes as efficient catalysts for olefin polymerization remains an attractive project for organometallic and polymeric research. Recently, vanadium complexes with well-defined structures have been explored for olefin (co)polymerization by several groups around the world. This article summarizes our recent progress in well-defined vanadium complexes bearing a variety of chelating β-enaminoketonato, salicylaldiminato, iminopyrrolide and tetradentate amine trihydroxy ligands, and their applications in ethylene polymerization, ethylene/α-olefin copolymerization and ethylene/cycloolefin copolymerization. The application of the optimized catalysts in the copolymerization of ethylene and polar monomer such as 3-buten-1-ol, 5-hexen-1-ol, 10-undecen-1-ol and 5-norbornene-2-methanol is also discussed. Particular attention has been paid to the relationships between the catalytic behavior and the electronic and geometrical structure of the precatalyst.     

Ring-Closing Olefin Metathesis Catalyzed by Well-Defined Vanadium Alkylidene Complexes

Vanadium-based catalysts have shown activity and selectivity in ring-opening metathesis polymerization of strained cyclic olefins comparable to those of Ru, Mo, and W catalysts. However, the application of V alkylidenes in routine organic synthesis is limited. Here, we present the first example of ring-closing olefin metathesis catalyzed by well-defined V chloride alkylidene phosphine complexes. The developed catalysts exhibit tolerance to various functional groups, such as an ether, an ester, a tertiary amide, a tertiary amine, and a sulfonamide. The size and electron-donating properties of the imido group and the phosphine play a crucial role in the stability of active intermediates. Reactions with ethylene and olefins suggest that both β-hydride elimination of the metallacyclobutene and bimolecular decomposition are responsible for catalyst degradation.     

镍配合物催化乙烯齐聚和聚合的进展

继SHOP催化体系采用镍配合物催化乙烯齐聚制备端烯烃在研究和应用中获得成功以来,由于后过渡金属上容易产生β-氢消除反应,镍配合物催化乙烯的研究搁置了近二十年。然而,近十年里,镍配合物催化乙烯齐聚和聚合研究再次受到催化剂研究者的重视,进入了飞速发展的新时期。本文综述近三年间这个领域的发展,特别是我国学者在这个领域的贡献,展示了镍配合物在乙烯齐聚和乙烯聚合制备支化聚烯烃中的巨大潜力,促进该领域研究的发展。     

Ethylene polymerization promoted by nickel complexes

The nickel complexes are of special relevance to catalysis for ethylene oligomerization and polymerization. Beyond the famous commercial SHOP process for ethylene oligomerization, among recent progress of nickel catalysts, various nickel complexes containing different ligands such as the bidentate and tridentate ligands are of interest. In contrast to the importance of hetereogeneous catalysis, the homogeneous catalyst is a small share for polyolefins, while the well-defined complexes affect the microstructure of the resultant polyolefin. The nickel catalysts often perform ethylene activations for inner olefins and the branched polyethylene with broad or bimodal molecular weight distribution. The catalytic behavior will be affected by adaptation of ligands coordinating around the nickel center. In addition, the auxiliary ligand Ph₃P can improve the catalytic activity by one order of magnitude, and its active center can be confirmed through isolating and characterizing the reliable intermediate. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Ligand effects in the rhodium-catalyzed addition of alkynes to aldehydes and diketones. Modification of the β-diketonate ligand

A catalytic amount of dicarbonylacetonato rhodium(I) and a phosphine ligand bearing bulky electron-donating alkyl groups has been shown to generate an effective catalyst for the addition of alkynes to aldehydes and activated ketones under mild, neutral conditions. While previous studies have shown that modification of the phosphine has significant effects on the activity of the catalyst, the role of the β-diketonate ligand has not been probed. Six different β-diketonate rhodium complexes were synthesized and their ability to catalyze the alkyne addition reaction was evaluated. Changing the structure of the β-diketonate ligand can have a noticeable effect on the reaction rate. Acetylacetonate derivatives with strong electron withdrawing groups have a detrimental effect on the catalytic activity, while bulky and electron rich β-diketonate derivatives provide more efficient catalysts.     

Facile synthesis of sterically demanding SHOP‐type nickel catalysts for ethylene polymerization

The P,O‐chelated shell higher olefin process (SHOP) type nickel complexes are practical homogeneous catalysts for the industrial preparation of linear low‐carbon α‐olefins from ethylene. We describes that a facile synthetic route enables the modulation of steric hindrance and electronic nature of SHOP‐type nickel complexes. A series of sterically bulky SHOP‐type nickel complexes with variable electronic nature, {[4‐R‐C₆H₄C(O) = C‐PArPh]NiPh (PPh₃); Ar = 2‐[2′,6′‐(OMe)₂C₆H₃]C₆H₄; R = H ( Ni1 ); R = OMe ( Ni2 ); R = CF₃ ( Ni3 )}, were prepared and used as single component catalysts toward ethylene polymerization without using any phosphine scavenger. These nickel catalysts exhibit high thermal stability during ethylene polymerization and result in highly crystalline linear α‐olefinic solid polymer. The catalytic performance of the SHOP‐type nickel complexes was significantly improved by introducing a bulky ortho‐biphenyl group on the phosphorous atom or an electron‐withdrawing trifluoromethyl on the backbone of the ligand, indicating steric and electronic effects play critical roles in SHOP‐type nickel complexes catalyzed ethylene polymerization.     

过渡金属络合物催化乙烯齐聚

综述了乙烯齐聚的最新成果,重点阐述了用于乙烯齐聚的新型催化剂,讨论了烯烃高聚与齐聚催化剂的关系,烯烃高聚与齐聚的反应机理相同,。差别主要在于烯烃插入与β－H消除反应的速率,第IV副族金属络合物主要催化乙烯齐聚,第Ⅲ副族金属主要催化乙烯高聚,改变茂金属催化体系的助催化剂和反应条件可得到齐聚产物,选择体积较小配体的第Ⅷ族金属络合物,有利于β－H消除得到齐聚产物。     

一种新型双亚胺吡啶铁系催化剂的乙烯低聚研究

线性α 烯烃广泛地应用于洗涤剂、增塑剂、润滑油等精细化学品的合成以及作为共单体制备线性低密度聚乙烯 (ＬＬＤＰＥ) .目前工业上主要是应用ＳＨＯＰ法[1] 、Ｃｈｅｖｒｏｎ工艺和Ａｍｏｃｏ工艺[2 ] 通过乙烯低聚制备 .近些年发展起来的新型高活性后过渡金属乙烯低聚催化剂能够高选择性地制备线性α 烯烃[3 ,4] .Ｂｒｏｏｋｈａｒｔ等[4] 的研究表明 ,对于双亚胺吡啶铁系乙烯聚合催化剂而言 ,配体上苯基的邻位取代基位阻减小可以实现乙烯低聚 ,并具有高活性、高选择性以及理想的低聚产物分布 .本文的工作是从配体的空间位阻效应对催化剂…