Improving the Performance of Heterogeneous Borane Cocatalysts by Pretreatment of the Silica Support with Alkylaluminum Compounds

The treatment of silica with alkylaluminum compounds, triisobutylaluminum (TIBA) and triethylaluminum (TEA), dramatically enhanced the cocatalytic performances of the [CPh₃]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₃—SiO₂]^–. We measured the productivity and ethylene‐consumption profiles for [CPh₃]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₃—SiO₂]^– cocatalysts and Cp₂ZrCl₂/TIBA. Both of the treated cocatalyst systems improved the average molecular weight of the product when compared with the untreated cocatalyst system. The TIBA‐treated cocatalyst provided a narrow molecular weight distribution while the TEA‐treated cocatalyst system gave a broad distribution.     

Borane‐Catalyzed Cross‐Metathesis Strategy for Facile Transformation of Cyclic (Alkyl)(Amino)Germylenes

A borane B(C₆F₅)₃‐catalyzed metathesis reaction between the Si?C bond in the cyclic (alkyl)(amino)germylene (CAAGe) 1 and the Si?H bond in a silane (R₃SiH; 2 ) is reported. Mechanistic studies propose that the initial step of the reaction involves Si?H bond activation to furnish an ionic species [ 1 ‐SiR₃]⁺[HB(C₆F₅)₃]^?, from which [Me₃Si]⁺[HB(C₆F₅)₃]^? and an azagermole intermediate are generated. The former yields Me₃SiH concomitant with the regeneration of B(C₆F₅)₃ whereas the latter undergoes isomerization to afford CAAGes bearing various silyl groups on the carbon atom next to the germylene center. This strategy allows the straightforward synthesis of eight new CAAGes starting from 1 .     

NMR Spectroscopy and X‐Ray Characterisation of Cationic N‐Heteroaryl‐Pyridylamido ZrIV Complexes: A Further Level of Complexity for the Elusive Active Species of Pyridylamido Olefin Polymerisation Catalysts

New [(N^?,N,N^?)ZrR₂] dialkyl complexes (N^?,N,N^?=pyrrolyl‐pyridyl‐amido or indolyl‐pyridyl‐amido; R=Me or CH₂Ph) have been synthesised and tested as pre‐catalysts for ethene and propene polymerisation in combination with different activators, such as B(C₆F₅)₃, [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄], [HNMe₂Ph][B(C₆F₅)₄] or solid AlMe₃‐depleted methylaluminoxane (DMAO). Polyethylene (M_w>2 MDa and M_w/M_n = 1.3–1.6) has been produced if pre‐catalysts were activated with 1000 equivalents of DMAO (based on Al) [activity >1000 kg_PE (mol_[Zr] h mol atm)^?1] or by using a higher pre‐catalyst concentration and a mixture of [HNPhMe₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] (1 equiv) and AliBu₂H (60 equiv). In the case of propene polymerisation, activity has been observed only if pre‐catalysts were treated with an excess of AliBu₂H prior to addition of DMAO, which led to highly isotactic polypropylene ([mmmm]>95 %). Neutral pre‐catalysts and ion pairs derived from their activation have been characterised in solution by using advanced 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy experiments. The detection and rationalisation of intercationic NOEs clearly showed the formation of dimeric species in which some pyrrolyl or indolyl π‐electron density of one unit is engaged in stabilising the metal centre of the other unit, which relegates the counterions in the second coordination sphere. The solid‐state structure of the dimeric indolyl‐pyridyl‐amidomethylzirconium derivative, determined by X‐ray diffraction studies, points toward a weak Zr???η³‐indolyl interaction. It can be hypothesised that the formation of dimeric cationic species hampers monomer coordination (especially of less reactive α‐olefins) and that addition of AliBu₂H is crucial to split the homodimers.     

Fine‐Tuning of Lewis Acidity: The Case of Borenium Hydride Complexes Derived from Bis(phosphinimino)amide Boron Precursors

Reactions of bis(phosphinimino)amines LH and L′H with Me₂S ? BH₂Cl afforded chloroborane complexes LBHCl ( 1 ) and L′BHCl ( 2 ), and the reaction of L′H with BH₃ ? Me₂S gave a dihydridoborane complex L′BH₂ ( 3 ) (LH=[{(2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂N)P(Ph₂)}₂N]H and L′H=[{(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃N)P(Ph₂)}₂N]H). Furthermore, abstraction of a hydride ion from L′BH₂ ( 3 ) and LBH₂ ( 4 ) mediated by Lewis acid B(C₆F₅)₃ or the weakly coordinating ion pair [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] smoothly yielded a series of borenium hydride cations: [L′BH]⁺[HB(C₆F₅)₃]^? ( 5 ), [L′BH]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? ( 6 ), [LBH]⁺[HB(C₆F₅)₃]^? ( 7 ), and [LBH]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? ( 8 ). Synthesis of a chloroborenium species [LBCl]⁺[BCl₄]^? ( 9 ) without involvement of a weakly coordinating anion was also demonstrated from a reaction of LBH₂ ( 4 ) with three equivalents of BCl₃. It is clear from this study that the sterically bulky strong donor bis(phosphinimino)amide ligand plays a crucial role in facilitating the synthesis and stabilization of these three‐coordinated cationic species of boron. Therefore, the present synthetic approach is not dependent on the requirement of weakly coordinating anions; even simple BCl₄^? can act as a counteranion with borenium cations. The high Lewis acidity of the boron atom in complex 8 enables the formation of an adduct with 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), [LBH ? (DMAP)]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? ( 10 ). The solid‐state structures of complexes 1 , 5 , and 9 were investigated by means of single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis.     

Titanium and Zirconium Complexes with Non‐Salicylaldimine‐Type Imine–Phenoxy Chelate Ligands: Syntheses,Structures, and Ethylene‐Polymerization Behavior

New Ti and Zr complexes that bear imine–phenoxy chelate ligands, [{2,4‐di‐tBu‐6‐(RCH=N)‐C₆H₄O}₂MCl₂] ( 1 : M=Ti, R=Ph; 2 : M=Ti, R=C₆F₅; 3 : M=Zr, R=Ph; 4 : M=Zr, R=C₆F₅), were synthesized and investigated as precatalysts for ethylene polymerization. ¹H NMR spectroscopy suggests that these complexes exist as mixtures of structural isomers. X‐ray crystallographic analysis of the adduct 1 ?HCl reveals that it exists as a zwitterionic complex in which H and Cl are situated in close proximity to one of the imine nitrogen atoms and the central metal, respectively. The X‐ray molecular structure also indicates that one imine phenoxy group with the syn C?N configuration functions as a bidentate ligand, whereas the other, of the anti C?N form, acts as a monodentate phenoxy ligand. Although Zr complexes 3 and 4 with methylaluminoxane (MAO) or [Ph₃C]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^?/AliBu₃ displayed moderate activity, the Ti congeners 1 and 2 , in association with an appropriate activator, catalyzed ethylene polymerization with high efficiency. Upon activation with MAO at 25 °C, 2 displayed a very high activity of 19900 (kg PE) (mol Ti)^?1 h^?1, which is comparable to that for [Cp₂TiCl₂] and [Cp₂ZrCl₂], although increasing the polymerization temperature did result in a marked decrease in activity. Complex 2 contains a C₆F₅ group on the imine nitrogen atom and mediated nonliving‐type polymerization, unlike the corresponding salicylaldimine‐type complex. Conversely, with [Ph₃C]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^?/AliBu₃ activation, 1 exhibited enhanced activity as the temperature was increased (25–75 °C) and maintained very high activity for 60 min at 75 °C (18740 (kg PE) (mol Ti)^?1 h^?1). ¹H NMR spectroscopic studies of the reaction suggest that this thermally robust catalyst system generates an amine–phenoxy complex as the catalytically active species. The combinations 1 /[Ph₃C]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^?/AliBu₃ and 2 /MAO also worked as high‐activity catalysts for the copolymerization of ethylene and propylene.     

Univalent Gallium Complexes of Simple and ansa‐Arene Ligands: Effects on the Polymerization of Isobutylene

Using [Ga(C₆H₅F)₂]⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^?( 1 ) (R^F=C(CF₃)₃) as starting material, we isolated bis‐ and tris‐η⁶‐coordinated gallium(I) arene complex salts of p‐xylene (1,4‐Me₂C₆H₄), hexamethylbenzene (C₆Me₆), diphenylethane (PhC₂H₄Ph), and m‐terphenyl (1,3‐Ph₂C₆H₄): [Ga(1,4‐Me₂C₆H₄)_2.5]⁺ ( 2⁺ ), [Ga(C₆Me₆)₂]⁺ ( 3⁺ ), [Ga(PhC₂H₄Ph)]⁺ ( 4⁺ ) and [(C₆H₅F)Ga(μ‐1,3‐Ph₂C₆H₄)₂Ga(C₆H₅F)]²⁺ ( 5²⁺ ). 4⁺ is the first structurally characterized ansa‐like bent sandwich chelate of univalent gallium and 5²⁺ the first binuclear gallium(I) complex without a Ga?Ga bond. Beyond confirming the structural findings by multinuclear NMR spectroscopic investigations and density functional calculations (RI‐BP86/SV(P) level), [Ga(PhC₂H₄Ph)]⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^?( 4 ) and [(C₆H₅F)Ga(μ‐1,3‐Ph₂C₆H₄)₂Ga(C₆H₅F)]²⁺{[Al(OR^F)₄] ^?}₂ ( 5 ), featuring ansa‐arene ligands, were tested as catalysts for the synthesis of highly reactive polyisobutylene (HR‐PIB). In comparison to the recently published 1 and the [Ga(1,3,5‐Me₃C₆H₃)₂]⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^? salt ( 6 ) (1,3,5‐Me₃C₆H₃=mesitylene), 4 and 5 gave slightly reduced reactivities. This allowed for favorably increased polymerization temperatures of up to +15 °C, while yielding HR‐PIB with high contents of terminal olefinic double bonds (α‐contents=84–93 %), low molecular weights (M_n=1000–3000 g mol^?1) and good monomer conversions (up to 83 % in two hours). While the chelate complexes delivered more favorable results than 1 and 6 , the reaction kinetics resembled and thus concurred with the recently proposed coordinative polymerization mechanism.     

Ethyl‐Zinc(II)‐Cation Equivalents: Synthesis and Hydroamination Catalysis

Ion‐like ethylzinc(II) compounds with weakly coordinating aluminates [Al(OR^F)₄]^? and [(R^FO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR^F)₃]^? (R^F=C(CF₃)₃) were synthesized in a one‐pot reaction and fully characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, NMR and vibrational spectroscopy, and by quantum chemical calculations. The catalytic activity of ion‐like Et‐Zn[Al(OR^F)₄] in intermolecular hydroamination and in the unusual double hydroamination of anilines and alkynes was investigated. Favorable performance was also found in comparison to the Et₂Zn/ [PhNMe₂H]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? system generated in situ at lower catalyst loadings of 2.5 mol %.     

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate and other polar monomers with alkylaluminum initiators bearing bidentate and tridentate N‐ and O‐donor ligands

Dimethylaluminum complexes bearing bidentate amidate, oxypyridine, and salicylaldimine N,O‐ligands and tridentate N,N′,N″‐pyridyliminoamide ligands were synthesized and spectroscopically characterized. The complexes were investigated in both neutral and borane‐activated cationic forms, along with bidentate N,N′‐ligated aluminum amidinates, as catalysts for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate, ?‐caprolactone, and propylene oxide. The neutral complexes generally did not carry out polymerization, but the polymerization/oligomerization of all three monomers was achieved when the various catalysts were activated with B(C₆F₅)₃ or [Ph₃C]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^?. The N,O‐ligated cations were much less active for polymerization than the analogous, more stable N,N′‐ligated amidinate cations; both types of cationic complexes catalyzed the ring‐opening cationic polymerization of tetrahydrofuran. B(C₆F₅)₃ and [Ph₃C]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? also independently carried out the oligomerization of propylene oxide. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1633–1651, 2002     

Homo‐ and Heterodinuclear Ir and Rh Imine‐functionalized Protic NHC Complexes: Synthetic,Structural Studies,and Tautomerization/Metallotropism Insights

The influence of the potentially chelating imino group of imine‐functionalized Ir and Rh imidazole complexes on the formation of functionalized protic N‐heterocyclic carbene (pNHC) complexes by tautomerization/metallotropism sequences was investigated. Chloride abstraction in [Ir(cod)Cl{C₃H₃N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κN3}] ( 1 a ) (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene, Dipp=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) with TlPF₆ gave [Ir(cod){C₃H₃N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κ²(C2,N_imine)}]⁺[PF₆]^? ( 3 a ⁺[PF₆]^?). Plausible mechanisms for the tautomerization of complex 1 a to 3 a ⁺[PF₆]^? involving C2?H bond activation either in 1 a or in [Ir(cod){C₃H₃N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κN3}₂]⁺[PF₆]^? ( 6 a ⁺[PF₆]^?) were postulated. Addition of PR₃ to complex 3 a ⁺[PF₆]^? afforded the eighteen‐valence‐electron complexes [Ir(cod)(PR₃){C₃H₃N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κ²(C2,N_imine)}]⁺[PF₆]^? ( 7 a ⁺[PF₆]^? (R=Ph) and 7 b ⁺[PF₆]^? (R=Me)). In contrast to Ir, chloride abstraction from [Rh(cod)Cl{C₃H₃N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κN3}] ( 1 b ) at room temperature afforded [Rh(cod){C₃H₃N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κN3}₂]⁺[PF₆]^? ( 6 b ⁺[PF₆]^?) and [Rh(cod){C₃H₃N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κ²(C2,N_imine)}]⁺[PF₆]^? ( 3 b ⁺[PF₆]^?) (minor); the reaction yielded exclusively the latter product in toluene at 110 °C. Double metallation of the azole ring (at both the C2 and the N3 atom) was also achieved: [Ir₂(cod)₂Cl{μ‐C₃H₂N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κ²(C2,N_imine),κN3}] ( 10 ) and the heterodinuclear complex [IrRh(cod)₂Cl{μ‐C₃H₂N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κ²(C2,N_imine),κN3}] ( 12 ) were fully characterized. The structures of complexes 1 b , 3 b ⁺[PF₆]^?, 6 a ⁺[PF₆]^?, 7 a ⁺[PF₆]^?, [Ir(cod){C₃HN₂(DippN=CMe)(DippN=CH)(Me)‐κ²(N3,N_imine)}]⁺[PF₆]^? ( 9 ⁺[PF₆]^?), 10? Et₂O ? toluene, [Ir₂(CO)₄Cl{μ‐C₃H₂N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κ²(C2,N_imine),κN3}] ( 11 ), and 12? 2 THF were determined by X‐ray diffraction.     

Insight into Oxide‐Bridged Heterobimetallic Al/Zr Olefin Polymerization Catalysts

Reaction of (TBBP)AlMe ? THF with [Cp*₂Zr(Me)OH] gave [(TBBP)Al(THF)?O?Zr(Me)Cp*₂] (TBBP=3,3’,5,5’‐tetra‐tBu‐2,2'‐biphenolato). Reaction of [DIPPnacnacAl(Me)?O?Zr(Me)Cp₂] with [PhMe₂NH]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? gave a cationic Al/Zr complex that could be structurally characterized as its THF adduct [(DIPPnacnac)Al(Me)?O?Zr(THF)Cp₂]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? (DIPPnacnac=HC[(Me)C=N(2,6‐iPr₂?C₆H₃)]₂). The first complex polymerizes ethene in the presence of an alkylaluminum scavenger but in the absence of methylalumoxane (MAO). The adduct cation is inactive under these conditions. Theoretical calculations show very high energy barriers (ΔG=40–47 kcal mol^?1) for ethene insertion with a bridged AlOZr catalyst. This is due to an unfavorable six‐membered‐ring transition state, in which the methyl group bridges the metal and ethene with an obtuse metal‐Me‐C angle that prevents synchronized bond‐breaking and making. A more‐likely pathway is dissociation of the Al‐O‐Zr complex into an aluminate and the active polymerization catalyst [Cp*₂ZrMe]⁺.     

Cationic Allyl Complexes of the Rare‐Earth Metals: Synthesis,Structural Characterization,and 1,3‐Butadiene Polymerization Catalysis

Monocationic bis‐allyl complexes [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[B(C₆X₅)₄]^? (Ln=Y, La, Nd; X=H, F) and dicationic mono‐allyl complexes of yttrium and the early lanthanides [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)(thf)₆]²⁺[BPh₄]₂^? (Ln=La, Nd) were prepared by protonolysis of the tris‐allyl complexes [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₃(diox)] (Ln=Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm; diox=1,4‐dioxane) isolated as a 1,4‐dioxane‐bridged dimer (Ln=Ce) or THF adducts [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₃(thf)₂] (Ln=Ce, Pr). Allyl abstraction from the neutral tris‐allyl complex by a Lewis acid, ER₃ (Al(CH₂SiMe₃)₃, BPh₃) gave the ion pair [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[ER₃(η¹‐CH₂CH?CH₂)]^? (Ln=Y, La; ER₃=Al(CH₂SiMe₃)₃, BPh₃). Benzophenone inserts into the La? C_allyl bond of [La(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[BPh₄]^? to form the alkoxy complex [La{OCPh₂(CH₂CH?CH₂)}₂(thf)₃]⁺[BPh₄]^?. The monocationic half‐sandwich complexes [Ln(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)(η³‐C₃H₅)(thf)₂]⁺[B(C₆X₅)₄]^? (Ln=Y, La; X=H, F) were synthesized from the neutral precursors [Ln(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)] by protonolysis. For 1,3‐butadiene polymerization catalysis, the yttrium‐based systems were more active than the corresponding lanthanum or neodymium homologues, giving polybutadiene with approximately 90 % 1,4‐cis stereoselectivity.     

Influence of Cyclopentadienyl Ring‐Tilt on Electron‐Transfer Reactions: Redox‐Induced Reactivity of Strained [2] and [3]Ruthenocenophanes

In contrast to ruthenocene [Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₅)₂] and dimethylruthenocene [Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₄Me)₂] ( 7 ), chemical oxidation of highly strained, ring‐tilted [2]ruthenocenophane [Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₄)₂(CH₂)₂] ( 5 ) and slightly strained [3]ruthenocenophane [Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₄)₂(CH₂)₃] ( 6 ) with cationic oxidants containing the non‐coordinating [B(C₆F₅)₄]^? anion was found to afford stable and isolable metal?metal bonded dicationic dimer salts [Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₄)₂(CH₂)₂]₂[B(C₆F₅)₄]₂ ( 8 ) and [Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₄)₂(CH₂)₃]₂[B(C₆F₅)₄]₂ ( 17 ), respectively. Cyclic voltammetry and DFT studies indicated that the oxidation potential, propensity for dimerization, and strength of the resulting Ru?Ru bond is strongly dependent on the degree of tilt present in 5 and 6 and thereby degree of exposure of the Ru center. Cleavage of the Ru?Ru bond in 8 was achieved through reaction with the radical source [(CH₃)₂NC(S)S?SC(S)N(CH₃)₂] (thiram), affording unusual dimer [(CH₃)₂NCS₂Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₄)(η³‐C₅H₄)C₂H₄]₂[B(C₆F₅)₄]₂ ( 9 ) through a haptotropic η⁵–η³ ring‐slippage followed by an apparent [2+2] cyclodimerization of the cyclopentadienyl ligand. Analogs of possible intermediates in the reaction pathway [C₆H₅ERu(η⁵‐C₅H₄)₂C₂H₄][B(C₆F₅)₄] [E=S ( 15 ) or Se ( 16 )] were synthesized through reaction of 8 with C₆H₅E?EC₆H₅ (E=S or Se).     

Synthesis,Properties, and Application of Tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)gallate, [Ga(C2F5)4]−

Weakly coordinating anions (WCAs) are important for academic reasons as well as for technical applications. Tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)gallate, [Ga(C₂F₅)₄]^?, a new WCA, is accessible by treatment of [GaCl₃(dmap)] (dmap=4‐dimethylaminopyridine) with LiC₂F₅. The anion [Ga(C₂F₅)₄]^? proved to be reluctant towards deterioration by aqueous hydrochloric acid or lithium hydroxide. Various salts of [Ga(C₂F₅)₄]^? were synthesized with cations such as [PPh₄]⁺, [CPh₃]⁺, [(O₂H₅)₂(OH₂)₂]²⁺, and [Li(dec)₂]⁺ (dec=diethyl carbonate). Thermolysis of [(O₂H₅)₂(OH₂)₂][Ga(C₂F₅)₄]₂ gives rise to a dihydrate of tris(pentafluoroethyl)gallane, [Ga(C₂F₅)₃(OH₂)₂]. All products were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction, and elemental analysis. Furthermore, an outlook for the application of [Li(dec)₂][Ga(C₂F₅)₄] as a conducting salt in lithium‐ion batteries is presented.     

Formation of an Imino‐Stabilized Cyclic Tin(II) Cation from an Amino(imino)stannylene

The novel amino(imino)stannylene 1 was prepared by conversion of HNIPr (NIPr=bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐imino) with one equivalent of Lappert’s tin reagent (Sn[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂). Treatment of 1 with DMAP (4‐dimethylaminopyridine) yields its Lewis acid–base adduct 2 . The reaction of 1 with one equivalent of trimethylsilyl azide results in replacement of the amino group at the tin center by an N₃ substituent with concomitant elimination of N(SiMe₃)₃ to afford dimeric [N₃SnNIPr]₂ ( 3 ). Remarkably, the reaction of 1 with B(C₆F₅)₃ produces the novel tin(II) monocation 4 ⁺[MeB(C₆F₅)₃]^? comprising a four‐membered stannacycle through methyl‐abstraction from the trimethylsilyl group.     

Discrete Cationic Zinc and Magnesium Complexes for Dual Organic/Organometallic‐Catalyzed Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Trimethylene Carbonate

We describe herein an original approach for the efficient immortal ring‐opening polymerization (iROP) of trimethylene carbonate (TMC) under mild conditions using dual‐catalyst systems combining a discrete cationic metal complex with a tertiary amine. A series of new zinc and magnesium cationic complexes of the type [{NNO}M]⁺[anion]^? ({NNO}^?=2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐{[(2′‐dimethylaminoethyl)methylamino]methyl}phenolate; M=Zn, [anion]^?=[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? ( 2 ), [H₂N‐ {B(C₆F₅)₃}₂]^? ( 3 ), and [EtB(C₆F₅)₃]^? ( 4 ); M=Mg, [anion]^?=[H₂N{B(C₆F₅)₃}₂]^? ( 7 )) have been prepared from the corresponding neutral compounds [{NNO}ZnEt] ( 1 ) and [{NNO}‐ Mg(nBu)] ( 6 ). Compounds 2 – 4 and 7 exist as free ion pairs, as revealed by ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F, and ¹¹B NMR spectroscopy in THF solution, and an X‐ray crystallographic analysis of the bis(THF) adduct of compound 7 , 7? (THF)₂. The neutral complexes 1 and 6 , in combination with one equivalent or an excess of benzyl alcohol (BnOH), initiate the rapid iROP of TMC, in bulk or in toluene solution, at 45–60 °C (turnover frequency, TOF, up to 25–30 000 mol(TMC)?mol(Zn)?h^?1 for 1 and 220–240 000 mol(TMC)?mol(Mg)?h^?1 for 6 ), to afford H‐PTMC‐OBn with controlled macromolecular features. ROP reactions mediated by the cationic systems 2 /BnOH and 7 /BnOH proceeded much more slowly (TOF up to 500 and 3 000 mol(TMC)?mol(Zn or Mg)?h^?1 at 110 °C) than those based on the parent neutral compounds 1 /BnOH and 6 /BnOH, respectively. Use of original dual organic/organometallic catalyst systems, obtained by adding 0.2–5 equiv of a tertiary amine such as NEt₃ to zinc cationic complexes [{NNO}Zn]⁺[anion]^? ( 2 – 4 ), promoted high activities (TOF up to 18 300 mol(TMC)?mol(Zn)?h^?1 at 45 °C) giving H‐PTMC‐OBn with good control over the M_n and M_w/M_n values. Variation of the nature of the anion in 2 – 4 did not significantly affect the performance of these catalyst systems. On the other hand, the dual magnesium‐based catalyst system 7 /NEt₃ proved to be poorly effective.     

Cationic Silica‐Supported N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Tungsten Oxo Alkylidene Sites: Highly Active and Stable Catalysts for Olefin Metathesis

Designing supported alkene metathesis catalysts with high activity and stability is still a challenge, despite significant advances in the last years. Described herein is the combination of strong σ‐donating N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands with weak σ‐donating surface silanolates and cationic tungsten sites leading to highly active and stable alkene metathesis catalysts. These well‐defined silica‐supported catalysts, [(≡SiO)W(=O)(=CHCMe₂Ph)(IMes)(OTf)] and [(≡SiO)W(=O)(=CHCMe₂Ph)(IMes)⁺][B(Ar^F)₄^?] [IMes=1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene, B(Ar^F)₄=B(3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃)₄] catalyze alkene metathesis, and the cationic species display unprecedented activity for a broad range of substrates, especially for terminal olefins with turnover numbers above 1.2 million for propene.     

Cationic Zinc Organyls as Precatalysts for Hydroamination Reactions

The cationic zinc triple‐decker complex [Zn₂Cp*₃]⁺[BAr^F₄]^? (BAr^F₄=B(3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃)₄) exhibits catalytic activity in intra‐ and intermolecular hydroamination reactions in the absence of a cocatalyst. These hydroaminations presumably proceed through the activation of the C?C multiple bond of the alkene or alkyne by a highly electrophilic zinc species, which is formed upon elimination of the Cp* ligands. The reaction of [Zn₂Cp*₃]⁺[BAr^F₄]^? with phenylacetylene gives the hydrocarbonation product (Cp*)(Ph)CCH₂, which might be formed via a similar reaction pathway. Additionally, several other structurally well‐defined cationic zinc organyls have been examined as precatalysts for intermolecular hydroamination reactions without the addition of a cocatalyst. These studies reveal that the highest activity is achieved in the absence of any donor ligands. The neutral complex [ZnCp^2S₂] (Cp^2S=C₅Me₄(CH₂)₂SMe) shows a remarkably high catalytic activity in the presence of a Brønsted acid.     

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.     

Facile access to the pnictocenium ions [Cp*ECl]+ (E = P, As) and [(Cp*)2P]+: chloride ion affinity of Al(OR(F))3

The pnictocenium salts [Cp*PCl]⁺[μCl]^? ( 1 a ), [Cp*PCl]⁺[ClAl(OR^F)₃]^? ( 1 b ), [Cp*AsCl]⁺[ClAl(OR^F)₃]^? ( 2 ), and [(Cp*)₂P]⁺[μCl]^? ( 3 ), in which Cp*=Me₅C₅, μCl=(^FRO)₃Al? Cl? Al(OR^F)₃, and OR^F=OC(CF₃)₃, were prepared by halide abstraction from the respective halopnictines with the Lewis superacid PhF→Al(OR^F)₃. 1 The X‐ray crystal structures of 1 a , 2 , and 3 established that in the half as well as in the sandwich cations the Cp* rings are attached in an η²‐fashion. By using one or two equivalents of the Lewis acid, the two new weakly coordinating anions [μCl]^? and [ClAl(OR^F)₃]^? resulted. They also stabilize the highly reactive cations in PhF or 1,2‐F₂C₆H₄ solution at room temperature. The chloride ion affinities (CIAs) of a range of classical strong Lewis acids were also investigated. The calculations are based on a set of isodesmic BP86/SV(P) reactions and a non‐isodesmic reference reaction assessed at the G3MP2 level.     

Isolation and Structure of Germylene‐Germyliumylidenes Stabilized by N‐Heterocyclic Imines

The ditopic germanium complex FGe(NIPr)₂Ge[BF₄] ( 3 [BF₄]; IPr=1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene) is prepared by the reaction of the amino(imino)germylene (Me₃Si)₂NGeNIPr ( 1 ) with BF₃?OEt₂. This monocation is converted into the germylene‐germyliumylidene 3 [BAr^F₄] [Ar^F=3,5‐(CF₃)₂‐C₆H₃] by treatment with Na[BAr^F₄]. The tetrafluoroborate salt 3 [BF₄] reacts with 2 equivalents of Me₃SiOTf to give the novel complex (OTf)(GeNIPr)₂[OTf] ( 4 [OTf]), which affords 4 [BAr^F₄] and 4 [Al(OR^F)₄] [R^F=C(CF₃)₃] after anion exchange with Na[BAr^F₄] or Ag[Al(OR^F)₄], respectively. The computational, as well as crystallographic study, reveals that 4 ⁺ has significant bis(germyliumylidene) dication character.