Hybrid catalysts: the synthesis, structure and ethene polymerisation activity of (salicylaldiminato)(pyrrolylaldiminato) titanium complexes

The mono(salicylaldiminato) complexes Ti{3-tBu-2-(O)C6H3CH=N(R)}Cl3(THF)(where R = C6H5, C6F5) react with the metallated pyrrolylaldiminato ligand, K[2-(C6H5NCH)C4H3N], to afford the first examples of hybrid salicylaldiminato-ligated octahedral titanium complexes; the pre-catalysts give from very high to extremely high ethene polymerisation productivities when activated with MAO.     

The structural characteristics of organozinc complexes incorporating N,N'-bidentate ligands

Dimethylzinc reacts with an excess of N-2-pyridylaniline 6 to give the homoleptic species, Zn[PhN(2-C(5)H(4)N)](2) 8. Single crystal X-ray diffraction reveals a solid-state dimer based on an 8-membered (NCNZn)(2) core motif. Zn[CyN(2-C(5)H(4)N)]Me (Cy =c-C(6)H(11)) 10, prepared by the combination of ZnMe(2) with the corresponding cyclohexyl-substituted pyridylamine, is also dimeric in the solid state but reveals a central (ZnN)(2) metallacycle. Employment of (p-Tol)NH(2-C(5)H(4)N)(p-Tol = 4-MeC(6)H(4)) 11 yielded the tris(zinc) adduct Zn(3)[(p-Tol)N(2-C(5)H(4)N)](4)Me(2) 12, which incorporates a central chiral molecule of 'Zn[(p-Tol)N(2-C(5)H(4)N)](2)' 12a, that bridges two 'Zn[(p-Tol)N(2-C(5)H(4)N)]Me' 12b units. A similar trimetallic structure is noted when the pyridylaniline substrate 11 is replaced with the bicyclic guanidine 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidine (hppH), affording Zn(3)(hpp)(4)Me(2) 13. Spectroscopic studies point to retention of the solid-state structure of in hydrocarbon solution. Reaction of 13 with dimesityl borinic acid, Mes(2)BOH (Mes = mesityl), affords Zn(3)(hpp)(4)(OBMes(2))(2) 14 in which the trimetallic core is retained. This reactivity is in contrast to the closely related reaction of dimeric Zn[Me(2)NC[N(i)Pr](2)]Me 15 with Mes(2)BOH, which yielded Zn[Me(2)NC[N(i)Pr](2)][OBMes(2)].Me(2)NC[N(i)Pr][NH(i)Pr] 16 as a result of protonation at the guanidine ligand in addition to the Zn-Me bond.     

Second-order nonlinear optical properties of side-chain liquid crystalline polymers studied by second harmonic generation from thin films

The two independent elements of the second-order nonlinear optical susceptibility tensor of a range of contact poled, donor–acceptor substitued side-chain polymers are reported. The susceptibilities were measured by second harmonic generation from thin films, typically less than 0.5 μm thick, at a fundamental wavelength of 1064 nm. The largest value was χ = 2.64 pm/V which is three times greater than the χ value of KDP and was measured in a nitrobenzylidene side chain, polyhydroxystyrene polymer with an eleven unit alkyl chain spacer attaching the side group to the backbone. Typical susceptibility values obtained were χ～0.3 pm/V and X⁽²⁾₃₃～1 pm/V. The coherence lengths of the materials, which lay in the range 4–12 μm, were measured at 1064 nm by the maker fringe technique using thick, wedge-shaped samples.     

Performance of a prototype microwave frequency standard based on laser-detected,trapped171Yb+ ions

A microwave frequency standard based on buffer gas-cooled¹⁷¹Yb⁺ ions confined in a linear Paul trap has been demonstrated in prototype form. The standard exhibits a fractional frequency instability characterised by an Allan deviation of (_y() = 2.9 × 10^–13–1/2 for < 2 × 10⁴ s. Factors affecting the stability of the standard have been systematically investigated.     

Bi(III) halides as efficient catalysts for the O-acylative cleavage of tetrahydrofurans: an expeditious entry to tetralins

The mild (DCM/20 °C), quantitative, regioselective, O-acylative cleavage of tetrahydrofurans using organic acid halides with catalytic Bi(III) halides is reported. X-ray crystallography is used to rationalise the failure of the reaction in the case of certain crowded acid chlorides, and a useful aspect of chemoselectivity is revealed. The synthetic potential of this reaction is illustrated with a highly efficient O-acylative cleavage/intramolecular alkylation approach to tetralins.     

The synthesis, structure and ethene polymerisation catalysis of mono(salicylaldiminato) titanium and zirconium complexes

The silyl ethers 3-But-2-(OSiMe3)C6H3CH=NR (2a-e) have been prepared by deprotonation of the known iminophenols (1a-e) and treatment with SiClMe3 (a, R = C6H5; b, R = 2,6-Pri2C6H3; c, R = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2; d, R = 2-C6H5C6H4; e, R = C6F5). 2a-c react with TiCl4 in hydrocarbon solvents to give the binuclear complexes [Ti{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CH=N(R)}Cl(mu-Cl3)TiCl3] (3a-c). The pentafluorophenyl species 2e reacts with TiCl4 to give the known complex Ti{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CH=N(R)}2Cl2. The mononuclear five-coordinate complex, Ti{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CH=N(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)}Cl3 (4c), was isolated after repeated recrystallisation of 3c. Performing the dehalosilylation reaction in the presence of tetrahydrofuran yields the octahedral, mononuclear complexes Ti{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CH=N(R)}Cl3(THF) (5a-e). The reaction with ZrCl4(THF)2 proceeds similarly to give complexes Zr{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CH=N(R)}Cl3(THF) (6b-e). The crystal structures of 3b, 4c, 5a, 5c, 5e, 6b, 6d, 6e and the salicylaldehyde titanium complex Ti{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CH=O}Cl3(THF) (7) have been determined. Activation of complexes 5a-e and 6b-e with MAO in an ethene saturated toluene solution gives polyethylene with at best high activity depending on the imine substituent.     

Diiodine complex of diferrocenyl(phenyl)phosphine sulfide: the structural and electrochemical behaviour of Fc2(Ph)PS · I2

The title compound, Fc₂(Ph)PS · I₂, has been prepared and characterised in both the solid state and solution. Single crystal X-ray crystallography reveals that the adduct adopts a molecular charge-transfer structure in the solid state. Mössbauer spectroscopy confirms the presence of low spin Fe²⁺ but also indicates the presence of ca. 24% of an Fe³⁺ species. The electrochemistry of Fc₂(Ph)PS · I₂, Fc₂(Ph)PS and Fc₂(Ph)P has been studied using a combination of cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The data for Fc₂(Ph)PS · I₂ show two redox processes, consistent with the sequential oxidation of the ferrocenyl groups to ferrocenium species.