Reversible coordinative chain transfer polymerization of styrene by rare earth borohydrides,chlorides/dialkylmagnesium systems

The ability of various rare earth borohydride and chloride complexes/n‐butylethylmagnesium systems to operate styrene chain transfer polymerization in mild conditions has been assessed. Thirteen precatalysts have been considered: the rare earth trisborohydrides Ln(BH₄)₃(THF)_x (x = 3, Ln = Nd (1), La (2), Sm (3), x = 2, Ln = Y (4), Sc (5)), the rare earth chlorides LnCl₃(THF)_x (x = 3, Ln = Nd (6), La (7), Sm (8), Y (9), x = 2, Ln = Sc (10)), the mixed La(BH₄)₂Cl(THF)_2.6 (11) and the half‐lanthanidocenes Cp*Ln(BH₄)₂(THF)₂ (Ln = Nd (12), La (13)). Six systems were found to be active precatalysts for the polymerization of styrene. 1 , 2 , and 11 led to an efficient transmetalation of the growing polystyrene chain with the simultaneous occurrence of βH elimination, whereas 7 , 12 , and 13 led to catalyzed chain growth behavior. It is noteworthy that the catalyzed chain growth obtained with 12 and 13 occurs with significant stereoselectivity. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 802–814, 2010     

Lanthanide Complexes for Oligomerization of Phenyl Isocyanate

IntroductionThestudyonthereactivitiesoflanthanidecomplexesto wardisocyanateshasattractedmuchattention .Ithasbeenre portedthatlanthanidealkoxides,1anddivalentdiaza pentadi enyllanthanidecomplexes2 canbeusedasthesinglecompo nentinitiatorsforisocyanatespolymerization .Recentlyourre searchgrouphasalsofoundthatlanthanoceneamide ,3diva lentaryloxideofsamarium4 ,5anddivalentsamarocene6 areallactivefortheoligomerizationofphenylisocyanate,andtheactivespeciesforthesethreesystemswereallsuccessfullyisolat…     

Phenylene‐bridged β‐Ketoiminate Dilanthanide Aryloxides: Synthesis,Structure, and Catalytic Activity for Addition of Amines to Carbodiimides

The synthesis and reactivity of a series of bimetallic lanthanide aryloxides stabilized by a p‐phenylene‐bridged bis(β‐ketoiminate) ligand is presented. The reaction of 1,4‐diaminobenzene with acetylacetone in a 1:2.5 molar ratio in absolute ethanol gave the compound 1,4‐bis(4‐imino‐2‐pentanone)benzene ( 1 ) (LH₂) in high yield. Compound 1 reacted with (ArO)₃Ln(THF)₂ (ArO = 2,6‐tBu₂‐4‐MeC₆H₂O, THF = tetrahydrofuran) in a 1:2 molar ratio in THF, after workup, to give the corresponding dilanthanide aryloxides L[Ln(OAr)₂(THF)]₂ [Ln = Yb ( 2 ), Y ( 3 ), Sm ( 4 ), Nd ( 5 ), La ( 6 )] in high isolated yields. Compound 1 and complexes 2 – 6 were fully characterized, including X‐ray crystal structure analyses for complexes 2 , 3 , 5 , and 6 . Complexes 2 – 6 can be used as efficient pre‐catalysts for catalytic addition of amines to carbodiimides, and the ionic radii of the central metal atoms have a significant effect on the catalytic activity with the increasing sequence of La ( 6 ) < Nd ( 5 ) ≈ Sm ( 4 ) < Y ( 3 ) ≈ Yb ( 2 ). The catalytic addition reaction with 2 showed a good scope of substrates including primary and secondary amines.     

The Crystal Structures of two Linearly Polymeric Copper(II) Complexes of 2, 2′‐Bipyridine with threefold Glycolato and Oxalato Bridges

The complex [Cu(HGLYO)₂(bipy)] ( I ) and two new copper(II) coordination polymers with the formulas {[Cu(GLYO)_1‐x(ox)_x(bipy)]·2.5H₂O}_n [GLYO = glycolato dianion, ox = oxalato dianion, bipy = 2, 2′‐bipyridine, x = 0.56 (in II ) or 0.71 (in III )] were synthesized using copper(II) glycolate as starting material and were characterized by IR, UV‐Vis and EPR spectrometry, by magnetic measurements ( II and III ), and by single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometry. Both II and III crystallized as one‐dimensional polymers composed of Cu₂O₂‐centred dimers with a Cu‐Cu distance of 3.282(1)Å (mean of II and III ) that are linked by Cu₂(OCO)₂ rings with a Cu‐Cu distance of 5.237(1)Å (mean of II and III ), both dianions acting as (μ‐1, 1, 2, 3) three‐way bridges connecting the two copper atoms of one dimer with one copper atom of a neighbouring dimer. Each copper atom is coordinated tetragonally in a CuN₂O₄ chromophore. In the mononuclear complex I the copper atom has a tetragonally distorted octahedral environment.     

Mono-cyclopentadienyl complexes of lanthanum: synthesis and characterization of anilido derivatives

Use of the bulky cyclopentadienyl ligand [η⁵-C₅H₂(SiMe₃)₃-1,2,4]⁻ (Cp?) allows for the isolation of monomeric, mono-ring lanthanide species. As previously reported, (Cp?)K reacts with LaI₃(THF)₄ (THF=tetrahydrofuran) in THF/pyridine to form the mono-ring complex (Cp?)LaI₂(py)₃ (1) (py=pyridine); a minor product of this reaction is the bis-ring species (Cp?)₂LaI(py) (2). The solid state structure of 2 reveals a monomeric compound containing a pseudo-tetrahedral metal center exhibiting no unusual intramolecular contacts. Addition of one equiv of KNHAr (Ar=2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) to complex 1 in THF generates the mono-anilido compound (Cp?)LaI(NHAr)(THF)₂ (3), which may be converted to the more stable pyridine adduct (Cp?)LaI(NHAr)(py)₂ (4) by the addition of pyridine to 3. An X-ray crystal structure of 3 indicated a trigonal bipyramidal metal center with the anilido group oriented trans to the iodide atom (N1-La1-I1=123.1(3)°). A structural study on the bis-pyridine adduct 4 revealed a similar C_s-symmetric structure with a slightly increased N_anilido-La-I angle of 132.1(2)°. Addition of KNHAr to the di-iodo bipyridine adduct (Cp?)LaI₂(bipy)(py) (5), in which the two iodide atoms are cis-disposed, yields the mono-anilido complex (Cp?)LaI(NHAr)(bipy)(py) (6) (bipy=2,2^′-bipyridine); this compound may also be prepared by the addition of bipy to (Cp?)LaI(NHAr)(py)₂ (4). An X-ray diffraction study shows that the lanthanum center in 6 is octahedrally coordinated by a Cp? ring, an iodide, an anilido group, a pyridine molecule and two nitrogens of a bipy molecule. In this case, the anilido moiety and the iodide ligand are arranged in a cis fashion (N_anilido-La-I=111.2(2)°), resulting in a complex with C₁ symmetry. Both (Cp?)LaI(NHAr)(py)₂ (4) and (Cp?)LaI(NHAr)(bipy)(py) (6) are inactive as catalysts for the hydroamination/cyclization of 2-amino-hex-5-ene.     

Synthesis of Lanthanide Bromide Complexes from Oxides. The Crystal Structures of [LnBr2(diglyme)2][LnBr4(diglyme)] (Ln = Sm,Eu) and [LnBr2(HMPA)4]Br·0.5H2O (Ln = La,Sm)

The reaction of the lanthanide oxides, bromotrimethylsilane and water in THF resulted in [LnBr₃(THF)_x]. If digylme (diglyme = diethylen glicol dimethyl ether) was added to these reaction mixtures in the mole ratio n(Ln): n(diglyme) ～ 1: 2.2 – 3, the ionic complexes [LnBr₂(diglyme)₂][LnBr₄(diglyme)] (Ln = La ( 1 ), Sm ( 2 ), Eu ( 3 )) were isolated. Crystal structures of the two new complexes, 2 and 3 , which were recrystallized from dichloromethane, were determined. The immediate reaction of the complexes 1 and 2 with HMPA (HMPA = hexamethylphosphoramide) in toluene resulted in [LnBr₂(HMPA)₄]Br·0.5H₂O (Ln = La( 4 ), Sm ( 5 )).     

Triphenylphosphane Oxide Complexes of Lanthanide Nitrates: Polymorphs and Photophysics

A series of mer‐[Ln(NO₃)₃(Ph₃PO)₃] complexes were prepared from Ln(NO₃)₃ · xH₂O and Ph₃PO in chloroform (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, and Er). The La and Nd complexes were 0.25 CHCl₃ solvates, whereas the others were solvent‐free. The identical reaction using Yb(NO₃)₃ · xH₂O produced the unique salt trans‐[Yb(NO₃)₂(Ph₃PO)₄][Yb(NO₃)₄(Ph₃PO)] · Et₂O. All nitrate ions in all complexes are η²‐chelating. A comparison of the various [Ln(NO₃)₃(Ph₃PO)₃] structures, including those in the literature, reveals at least four common polymorphs, each of which is represented by isomorphic structures of multiple Ln ions. Luminescence of mer‐[Ln(NO₃)₃(Ph₃PO)₃] (Ln = Y, La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, and Dy), trans‐[Yb(NO₃)₂(Ph₃PO)₄][Yb(NO₃)₄(Ph₃PO)] and Ph₃PO assignments are reported. Latva's empirical rule allows for the antenna effect, in which energy is transferred from the triplet state of the Ph₃PO ligand, to occur only for Tb³⁺. Excitation via Ph₃PO results in strong green luminescence for Tb³⁺ having twice the intensity as that which results from direct excitation of the f‐f transitions.     

Complexes of lanthanum with radical anions of 2,2-bipyridyl and 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone

Complexes of a rare-earth element containing only one radical-anion ligand have been synthesized and isolated in pure states for the first time. The LaI₂(bpy)(THF)₃ complex has been prepared from [LaI₂(THF)₃]₂(C₁₀H₈) and 2,2-bipyridyl in DME. The semiquinone complex LaI₂(SQ)(THF)₃ has been obtained by reaction of lanthanum iodide with 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone in THF in the presence of lanthanum powder. ESR spectra of the complexes have been studied.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 2278–2280, November, 1995.We thank Mr. A. V. Protchenko for magnetic measurements and Dr. L. G. Abakumova for recording IR spectra and helpful discussion.This work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Project No. 95-03-08443a).     

Scandium complexes with the tetraphenylethylene and anthracene dianions

The structural study of Sc complexes containing dianions of anthracene and tetraphenylethylene should shed some light on the nature of rare‐earth metal–carbon bonding. The crystal structures of (18‐crown‐6)bis(tetrahydrofuran‐κO)sodium bis(η⁶‐1,1,2,2‐tetraphenylethenediyl)scandium(III) tetrahydrofuran disolvate, [Na(C₄H₈O)₂(C₁₂H₂₄O₆)][Sc(C₂₆H₂₀)₂]·2C₄H₈O or [Na(18‐crown‐6)(THF)₂][Sc(η⁶‐C₂Ph₄)₂]·2(THF), ( 1b ), (η⁵‐1,3‐diphenylcyclopentadienyl)(tetrahydrofuran‐κO)(η⁶‐1,1,2,2‐tetraphenylethenediyl)scandium(III) toluene hemisolvate, [Sc(C₁₇H₁₃)(C₂₆H₂₀)(C₄H₈O)]·0.5C₇H₈ or [(η⁵‐1,3‐Ph₂C₅H₃)Sc(η⁶‐C₂Ph₄)(THF)]·0.5(toluene), ( 5b ), poly[[(μ₂‐η³:η³‐anthracenediyl)bis(η⁶‐anthracenediyl)bis(η⁵‐1,3‐diphenylcyclopentadienyl)tetrakis(tetrahydrofuran)dipotassiumdiscandium(III)] tetrahydrofuran monosolvate], {[K₂Sc₂(C₁₄H₁₀)₃(C₁₇H₁₃)₂(C₄H₈O)₄]·C₄H₈O}_n or [K(THF)₂]₂[(1,3‐Ph₂C₅H₃)₂Sc₂(C₁₄H₁₀)₃]·THF, ( 6 ), and 1,4‐diphenylcyclopenta‐1,3‐diene, C₁₇H₁₄, ( 3a ), have been established. The [Sc(η⁶‐C₂Ph₄)₂]⁻ complex anion in ( 1b ) contains the tetraphenylethylene dianion in a symmetrical bis‐η³‐allyl coordination mode. The complex homoleptic [Sc(η⁶‐C₂Ph₄)₂]⁻ anion retains its structure in THF solution, displaying hindered rotation of the coordinated phenyl rings. The 1D ¹H and ¹³C{¹H}, and 2D COSY ¹H–¹H and ¹³C–¹H NMR data are presented for M[Sc(Ph₄C₂)₂]·xTHF [M = Na and x = 4 for ( 1a ); M = K and x = 3.5 for ( 2a )] in THF‐d₈ media. Complex ( 5b ) exhibits an unsymmetrical bis‐η³‐allyl coordination mode of the dianion, but this changes to a η⁴ coordination mode for (1,3‐Ph₂C₅H₃)Sc(Ph₄C₂)(THF)₂, ( 5a ), in THF‐d₈ solution. A ⁴⁵Sc NMR study of ( 2a ) and UV–Vis studies of ( 1a ), ( 2a ) and ( 5a ) indicate a significant covalent contribution to the Sc—Ph₄C₂ bond character. The unique Sc ate complex, ( 6 ), contains three anthracenide dianions demonstrating both a η⁶‐coordination mode for two bent ligands and a μ₂‐η³:η³‐bridging mode of a flat ligand. Each [(1,3‐Ph₂C₅H₃)₂Sc₂(C₁₄H₁₀)₃]²⁻ dianionic unit is connected to four neighbouring units via short contacts with [K(THF)₂]⁺ cations, forming a two‐dimensional coordination polymer framework parallel to (001).     

Rare earths/main group metal alkyls catalytic systems for the 1,4‐trans stereoselective coordinative chain transfer polymerization of isoprene

A series of lanthanum and neodymium complexes comprising the half‐lanthanidocenes Cp*La(BH₄)₂(THF)₂ (Cp* = C₅Me₅) ( 1 ) and Cp*Nd(BH₄)₂(THF)₂ ( 2 ), the trisborohydrides La(BH₄)₃(THF)₃ ( 3 ) and Nd(BH₄)₃(THF)₃ ( 4 ), the trichlorides LaCl₃(THF)₃ ( 5 ) and NdCl₃(THF)₃ ( 6 ), the triisopropoxides La(OⁱPr)₃ ( 7 ) and Nd(OⁱPr)₃ ( 8 ), and the triaryloxide Nd(OC₆H₃‐^tBu₂‐2,6)₃ ( 9 ) has been assessed for the chain transfer polymerization of isoprene. A transmetalation process is occurring efficiently with the borohydride complexes in the presence of magnesium dialkyl. A gradual decrease of the 1,4‐trans stereoselectivity of the reaction is observed at the benefit of 3,4‐selectivity with increasing quantities of magnesium dialkyl. This can be at least partially attributed to the growth of 3,4 polyisoprene units onto the magnesium atom. By combining dialkylmagnesium and trialkylaluminum, a 1,4‐trans stereospecific reversible coordinative chain transfer polymerization of isoprene is reached using the half‐lanthanocene Cp*La(BH₄)₂(THF)₂. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Synthesis and crystal structure of the heteroleptic lanthanum(III) bis-diphosphinomethanide complex [La{CH(PPh2)2}2(I)(THF)2]

Treatment of CH₂(PPh₂)₂ with n-BuLi/t-BuOK in diethyl ether affords the potassium diphosphinomethanide complex [K{CH(PPh₂)₂}(OEt₂)_0.5] (1) in high yield. Metathesis of two equivalents of 1 with LaI₃(THF)₄ yields the heteroleptic bis-diphosphinomethanide complex [La{CH(PPh₂)₂}₂(I)(THF)₂] (2). X-ray crystallography shows the diphosphinomethanide ligands in 2 adopt different coordination modes in the solid state; one adopts a κ²-PP mode with no La-C contact, and the other adopts an η³-PCP mode, thus giving an eight-coordinate lanthanum centre.     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Lanthanide Chloride Complexes with Diglyme

Reactions of [LnCl₃(DME)₂] (Ln = Nd, Sm, Ho, Lu; DME = dimethoxyethane) and diglyme (diglyme = diethylen glycol dimethyl ether) in THF resulted in polymeric [LnCl₃(diglyme)]_n (Ln = Nd ( 1 ), Sm ( 2 )) or mononuclear complexes [LnCl₃(diglyme)(THF)] (Ln = Ho ( 3 ), Lu ( 4 )). Neodymium and samarium atoms in 1 and 2 are eight‐coordinated by three oxygen atoms from diglyme, one terminal and four bridging chloride ions. Holmium and lutetium atoms in 3 and 4 are seven‐coordinated by three oxygen atoms from diglyme, three chloride ions and one oxygen atom from THF. [ErCl₃(diglyme)(H₂O)] ( 5 ) resulted from the reaction of ErCl₃·6H₂O, (CH₃)₃SiCl and diglyme in THF. The molecular structures of 3 , 4 and 5 are similar, with either a molecule of THF coordinated to the lanthanide atom in 3 and 4 or with a molecule of water coordinated in 5 .     

Mono‐, Di‐, Tri‐ and Tetranuclear Rare Earth Complexes Obtained Using a Moderately Bulky Aryloxide Ligand

Redox transmetallation ligand exchange reactions involving a rare earth metal, 2,4,6‐trimethylphenol (HOmes), and a diarylmercurial afford rare earth aryloxo complexes, which are structurally characterized. Both the lanthanoid contraction and the identity of the reaction solvent are found to influence the outcome of the reactions. Using THF in the reaction affords a dinuclear species [Ln₂(Omes)₆(thf)₄]?2THF (Ln=La 1 , Nd 2 ) for the lighter rare earth metals, while a mononuclear species [Ln(Omes)₃(thf)₃] (Ln=Sm 3 , Tb 5 , Er 6 , Yb 7 , Y 8 ) is obtained for the heavier rare earth elements. Surprisingly, there is no change in metal coordination number between the two structural motifs. A divalent trinuclear linear complex [Eu₃(Omes)₆(thf)₆] 4 is obtained for Eu, and features solely bridging aryloxide ligands. Using DME as the reaction solvent affords [La(Omes)₃(dme)₂] 9 from the reaction mixture, and [Ln₂(Omes)₆(dme)₂]?PhMe (La 10 , Nd 11 ) and [Y(Omes)₃(dme)₂] 14 following crystallization of the crude product from toluene. The dinuclear species [Eu₂(Omes)₄(dme)₄] 12 contains two unidentate and two chelating DME ligands, and contrasts the linear structure of 4 . Treatment of HOmes and HgPh₂ with Yb metal in DME affords the mixed valent Yb^II/III complex [Yb₂(Omes)₅(dme)₂] 13 , which is stabilized by an intramolecular π‐Ph–Yb interaction, and is a rare example of a mixed valent rare earth aryloxide. Treatment of Er metal with HOmes at elevated temperature (solvent free) affords the homoleptic [Er₄(Omes)₁₂] 15 , which consists of a tetranuclear array of Er atoms arranged in a ‘herringbone’ fashion; the structure is stabilized by intramolecular π‐Ph–Er interactions. Reaction of La metal with HOmes under similar conditions yields toluene insoluble “La(Omes)₃”, which affords 1 following extraction with THF.     

Spirocyclic Boraamidinate Complexes of Lanthanide(III) Metals

The reaction of Li₂[Phbam^Dipp] (Phbam^Dipp = PhB(NDipp)₂; Dipp = 2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) with lanthanum(III) triiodides LnI₃(THF)_3.5 (Ln = La, Sm) in THF produces complexes of the type [Li(THF)₄]₂[(Phbam^Dipp)₂LnI], which were characterized in solution by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and in the solid state by single‐crystal X‐ray structural determinations. The ion‐separated complexes are comprised of a spirocyclic anion in which two Phbam^Dipp ligands and an iodide ion are linked to the five‐coordinate metal atom; charge balance is provided by two tetrasolvated lithium ions [Li(THF)₄]⁺.     

Lanthanide‐Catalyzed Selective Addition of Diethyl Phosphite to Chalcones

Lanthanide‐catalyzed addition of diethyl phosphite with chalcones was achieved under mild conditions. The reaction exhibited good product selectivity using different catalysts. γ‐Oxophosphonates were obtained in high yields in the reactions catalyzed by Yb(OAr)₃(THF)₂, while those catalyzed by [(Me₃Si)₂N]₃La(μ‐Cl)Li(THF)₃ afforded 1,2‐oxaphospholane‐5‐phosphonates as the main products in moderate to good yields. This methodology provides facile and practical approaches to the corresponding organophosphorus compounds with biological interest.     

Molecular Lanthanide Switches for Magnetism and Photoluminescence

Solvation of [(CNT)Ln(η⁸-COT)] (Ln=La, Ce, Nd, Tb, Er; CNT=cyclononatetraenyl, i.e., C₉H₉⁻; COT=cyclooctatetraendiid, i.e., C₈H₈²⁻) complexes with tetrahydrofuran (THF) gives rise to neutral [(η⁴-CNT)Ln(thf)₂(η⁸-COT)] (Ln=La, Ce) and ionic [Ln(thf)_x(η⁸-COT)][CNT] (x=4 (Ce, Nd, Tb), 3 (Er)) species in a solid-to-solid transformation. Due to the severe distortion of the ligand sphere upon solvation, these species act as switchable luminophores and single-molecule magnets. The desolvation of the coordinated solvents can be triggered by applying a dynamic vacuum, as well as a temperature gradient stimulus. Raman spectroscopic investigations revealed fast and fully reversible solvation and desolvation processes. Moreover, we also show that a Nd:YAG laser can induce the necessary temperature gradient for a self-sufficient switching process of the Ce(III) analogue in a spatially resolved manner.     

Real‐time Probing the Formation of [M(2,2‐bipyridine)2(NO3)3] (M = Ce,La, Tb) Complexes and Influence of Synthesis Parameters

Despite the strong technological importance of lanthanide complexes, their formation processes are rarely investigated. This work is dedicated to determining the influence of synthesis parameters on the formation of [Ce(bipy)₂(NO₃)₃] as well as Ce³⁺‐ and Tb³⁺‐substituted [La(bipy)₂(NO₃)₃] (bipy = 2,2′‐bipyridine) complexes. To this end, we performed in situ luminescence measurements, synchrotron‐based X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, infrared spectroscopy (IR), and measured pH value and/or ion conductivity during their synthesis process under real reaction conditions. For the [Ce(bipy)₂(NO₃)₃] complex, the in situ luminescence measurements initially presented a broad emission band at 490 nm, assigned to the 5d→4f Ce³⁺ ions within the ethanolic solvation shell. Upon the addition of bipy, a red shift to 700 nm was observed. This shift was attributed to the changes in the environment of the Ce³⁺ ions, indicating their desolvation and incorporation into the [Ce(bipy)₂(NO₃)₃] complex. The induction time was reduced from 8 to 3.5 min, by increasing the reactant concentration by threefold. In contrast, [La(bipy)₂(NO₃)₃] crystallized within days instead of minutes, unless influenced by high Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ concentrations. Monitoring and controlling the influence of the reaction parameters on the structure of emissive complexes is important for the development of rational synthesis approaches and optimization of their structure‐related properties like luminescence.     

Action of Alkaline Earth Metals on Lanthanum Triiodide: Unusually Short La‐La Distances in SrLaI4 and BaLaI4

Black single crystals with metallic lustre of SrLaI₄ and BaLaI₄ were obtained by reduction of lanthanum triiodide, LaI₃, with strontium and barium, respectively, in sealed tantalum containers at 800 °C or above. The crystal structure was determined from X‐ray diffraction intensities; SrLaI₄ and BaLaI₄ are isotypic and crystallize with the monoclinic crystal system (space group I2/a, Z = 4, for SrLaI₄: a = 742.3(1), b = 1485.2(3), c = 862.3(1) pm, β = 101.07(2)°). The lanthanum atoms are in an eightfold square antiprismatic coordination with La‐I distances of 329—339 pm in SrLaI₄. The [LaI₈] polyhedra are connected via common faces to chains according to [LaI_8/2] running along [100]. This obviously makes exceptionally short La‐La distances of 371 pm possible.     

Synthesis,Structural Characterization,and Catalytic Activity of Scandium,Samarium, and Dysprosium Complexes Supported by Tris(pyrrolyl‐α‐methyl)amine Ligand

The synthesis, structures and catalytic activities of three organolanthanide complexes supported by the H₃tpa ligand (H₃tpa = tris(pyrrolyl‐α‐methyl) amine) are described. Treatment of H₃tpa with one equivalent of Ln[N(SiMe₃)₂]₃ (Ln = Sc, Sm, Dy) in THF gives, after recrystallization from toluene/THF solution, Sc(tpa)(THF)₂ ( 1 ), Sm(tpa)(THF)₃ ( 2 ) and Dy(tpa)(THF)₃ ( 3 ) in good yields. The structures of complexes 1 – 3 were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and elemental analysis. Complexes 2 and 3 exhibited good catalytic activity for the polymerization of ?‐caprolactone.     

Highly 2,3‐Selective Polymerization of Phenylallene and Its Derivatives with Rare‐Earth Metal Catalysts: From Amorphous to Crystalline Products

Rare‐earth metal complexes (Flu‐CH₂‐Py)Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF)_n (Ln=Sc( 1 ), Lu( 2 ), Tm( 3 ), Y( 4 ) and Gd( 5 )), upon the activation of [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] and Alⁱ Bu₃, were employed to catalyze the polymerization of allene derivatives under mild conditions. The Gd, Y, Tm, Lu metal based precursors exhibited distinguished 2,3‐selectivity (>99.9 %) for phenylallene (PA) polymerization, whereas the smallest Sc metal based precursor showed a moderate 2,3‐selectivity. The activity increased with the central metal size following the trend of Gd( 5 )>Tm( 4 )>Y( 3 )>Lu( 2 )>Sc( 1 ). Moreover, Gd( 5 ) also realized the purely 2,3‐selective polymerizations of polar or nonpolar allene derivatives, para ‐methylphenylallene, para ‐flourophenylallene and para ‐methoxyphenylallene, regardless of electron‐donating or ‐withdrawing substituents. Owing to the highly regular backbones, these polymers (except PPA) were crystalline, thus being the first crystalline polymers based on allene derivatives.