Reaction mechanism and structure-reactivity relationships in the stereospecific 1,4-polymerization of butadiene catalyzed by neutral dimeric allylnickel(II) halides [Ni(C3H5)X]2 (X- = Cl-, Br-, I-): a comprehensive density functional theory study

For the first time, a comprehensive and consistent picture of the catalytic cycle of 1,4-polymerization of butadiene with neutral dimeric allylnickel(II) halides [Ni(C3H5)X]2 (X = Cl- (I), Br- (II), and I- (III)) as single-site catalysts has been derived by means of quantum chemical calculations that employ a gradient-corrected density-functional method. All crucial reaction steps of the entire catalytic course have been scrutinized, taking into account butadiene pi complex formation, symmetrical and asymmetrical splitting of dimeric pi complexes, cis-butadiene insertion, and anti-syn isomerization. The present investigation examines, in terms of located structures, energies and activation barriers, the participation of postulated intermediates, in particular it aimed to clarify whether monomeric or dimeric species are the catalytically active species. Prior qualitative mechanistic assumptions are substituted by the presented theoretically well-founded and detailed analysis of both the thermodynamic and the kinetic aspects, that substantially improve the insight into the reaction course and enlarge them with novel mechanistic proposals. From a mechanistic point of view, all three catalysts exhibit common characteristics. First, chain propagation occurs by cis-butadiene insertion into the pi-butenylnickel(II) bond with nearly identical intrinsic free-energy activation barriers. Second, the reactivity of syn-butenyl forms is distinctly higher than that of anti forms. Third, the chain-propagation step is rate-determining in the entire polymerization process, and the pre-established anti-syn equilibrium can always be regarded as attained. Accordingly, neutral dimeric allylnickel(II) halides catalyze the formation of a stereo-regular trans-1,4-polymer under kinetic control following the k1t channel with butenyl(halide)(butadiene)NiII complexes being the catalytically active species. Production of a stereoregular cis-1,4-polymer with allylnickel chloride can only be explained by making the k2c channel accessible by the formation of polybutadienyl(butadiene) complexes, which is accompanied by the coordination of the next double bond in the growing chain to the NiII center.     

Ni0-catalyzed cyclotrimerization of 1,3-butadiene: a comprehensive density functional investigation on the origin of the selectivity

A comprehensive theoretical investigation of the mechanism for the Ni(0)-catalyzed cyclotrimerization of 1,3-butadiene by the [Ni(0)(eta(2)-butadiene)(3)] active catalyst complex is presented by employing a gradient-corrected DFT method. All critical elementary processes of the catalytic cycle have been scrutinized, namely, oxidative coupling of two butadienes, butadiene insertion into the allyl-Ni(II) bond, allylic isomerization in both octadienediyl-Ni(II) and dodecatrienediyl-Ni(II) species, and reductive elimination under ring closure. For each of these elementary steps several conceivable routes and also the different stereochemical pathways have been probed. The favorable route for oxidative coupling start from the prevalent [Ni(0)(eta(2)-butadiene)(3)] form of the active catalyst through coupling between the terminal non-coordinated carbon atoms of two reactive eta(2)-butadiene moieties; this is assisted by an ancillary butadiene in eta(2)-mode. The initial eta(3),eta(1)(C(1))-octadienediyl-Ni(II) product is the active precursor for subsequent butadiene insertion, which preferably takes place into the eta(3)-allyl-Ni(II) bond. The insertion is driven by a strong thermodynamic force. Therefore, the dodecatrienediyl-Ni(II) products, with the most favorable bis(eta(3)-allyl),Delta-trans isomers in particular, represent a thermodynamic sink. Commencing from a preestablished equilibrium between the various bis(eta(3)-allyl),Delta-trans forms of the [Ni(II)(dodecatrienediyl)] complex, the major cyclotrimer products, namely all-t-CDT, c,c,t-CDT and c,t,t-CDT, are formed along competing paths by reductive elimination under ring closure, which is shown to be rate-controlling. The all-c-CDT-generating path is completely precluded by both thermodynamic and kinetic factors, giving rise to negligibly populated bis(eta(3)-allyl),Delta-cis precursor isomers. The regulation of the selectivity of the CDT formation as well as the competition between the two reaction channels for generation of C(12)- and C(8)-cycloolefins is elucidated.     

Synthesis of Isotactic Polystyrene-block-Polyethylene by the Combination of Sequential Monomer Addition and Hydrogenation of 1,4-Trans-polybutadiene Block

Herein, we demonstrate the synthesis of a well-defined diblock copolymer consisting of isotactic polystyrene(iPS) and linear polyethylene, isotactic polystyrene-block-polyethylene(iPS-b-PE),by the combination ofsequential monomer addition and hydrogenation. Isospecific living polymerization of styrene and living trans-1,4-polymerization of 1,3-butadienewere catalyzed by 1,4-dithiabutandiyl-2,2′-bis(6-cumenyl-4-methylphenoxy) titanium dichloride(complex 1) activated by triisobutyl aluminum modified methylaluminoxane(MMAO) at room temperature to provide highly isotactic polystyrene(iPS) and 1,4-trans-polybutadiene(1,4-trans-PBD) with narrow molecular weight distribution. Furthermore, the iPS-b-1,4-trans-PBD was synthesized via sequential monomer addition in the presence ofcomplex 1 and MMAO.The hydrogenation of the 1,4-trans-PBD block was promoted by RuCl_2(PPh_3)_3 used as a catalyst to produce iPS-b-PE.     

Ni0]-catalyzed Co-oligomerization of 1,3-butadiene and ethylene: a theoretical mechanistic investigation of competing routes for generation of linear and cyclic C10-olefins

A detailed theoretical investigation of the mechanism for the [Ni(0)]-catalyzed co-oligomerization of 1,3-butadiene and ethylene to afford linear and cyclic C(10)-olefins is presented. Crucial elementary processes have been carefully explored for a tentative catalytic cycle, employing a gradient-corrected density functional theory (DFT) method. The favorable route for oxidative coupling starts from the prevalent [Ni(0)(eta(2)-butadiene)(2)(ethylene)] form of the active catalyst through oxidative coupling between the two eta(2)-butadienes. The initial eta(3),eta(1)(C(1))-octadienediyl-Ni(II) product is the active precursor for ethylene insertion, which preferably takes place into the syn-eta(3)-allyl-Ni(II) bond of the prevalent eta(3)-syn,eta(1)(C(1)),Delta-cis isomer. The insertion is driven by a strong thermodynamic force, giving rise entirely to eta(3),eta(1),Delta-trans-decatrienyl-Ni(II) forms, with the eta(3)-anti,eta(1),Delta-trans isomer almost exclusively generated. Occurrence of allyl,eta(1),Delta-cis isomers, however, is precluded on both kinetic and thermodynamic grounds, thereby rationalizing the observation that cis-DT and cis,cis-CDD are never formed. Linear and cyclic C(10)-olefins are generated in a highly stereoselective fashion, with trans-DT and cis,trans-CDD as the only isomers, along competing routes of stepwise transition-metal-assisted H-transfer (DT) and reductive CC elimination under ring closure (CDD), respectively, that start from the prevalent eta(3)-anti,eta(1),Delta-trans-decatrienyl-Ni(II) species. The role of allylic conversion in the octadienediyl-Ni(II) and decatrienyl-Ni(II) complexes has been analyzed. As a result of the detailed exploration of all important elementary steps, a theoretically verified, refined catalytic cycle is proposed and the regulation of the selectivity for formation of linear and cyclic C(10)-olefins is elucidated.     

Allenes as carbon nucleophiles in intramolecular attack on (pi-1,3-diene)palladium complexes: evidence for trans carbopalladation of the 1,3-diene

Reaction of allene-substituted cyclohexa- and cyclohepta-1,3-dienes with [PdCl(2)(PhCN)(2)] gave eta(3)-(1,2,3)-cyclohexenyl- and eta(3)-(1,2,3)-cycloheptenylpalladium complexes, respectively, in which C-C bond formation between the allene and the 1,3-diene has occurred. Analysis of the (pi-allyl)palladium complexes by NMR spectroscopy, using reporter ligands, shows that the C-C bond formation has occurred by a trans carbopalladation involving nucleophilic attack by the middle carbon atom of the allene on a (pi-diene)palladium(II) complex. The stereochemistry of the (pi-allyl)palladium complexes was confirmed by benzoquinone-induced stereoselective transformations to allylic acetates.     

Stereoselective palladium-catalyzed carbocyclization of allenic allylic carboxylates

Palladium(0)-catalyzed reaction of allene-substituted allylic carboxylates 3-8 employing 2-5 mol % of Pd(dba)(2) in refluxing toluene leads to the carbocyclization and elimination of carboxylic acid to give bicyclo[4.3.0]nonadiene and bicyclo[5.3.0]decadiene derivatives (12-17). The carbon-carbon bond formation is stereospecific, occurring syn with respect to the leaving group. Addition of maleic anhydride as a ligand to the above-mentioned procedures changed the outcome of the reaction, and under these conditions 3-5 afforded cycloisomerized products 21-23. The experimental results are consistent with a mechanism involving oxidative addition of the allylic carboxylate to Pd(0) to give an electron-deficient (pi-allyl)palladium intermediate, followed by nucleophilic attack by the allene on the face of the pi-allyl opposite to that of the palladium atom. Furthermore, it was found that the Pd(dba)(2)-catalyzed cyclization of the trans-cycloheptene derivative (trans-8) can be directed to give either the trans-fused (trans-17) or the cis-fused (cis-17) ring system by altering the solvent. The former reaction proceeds via a nucleophilic trans-allene attack on the (pi-allyl)palladium intermediate, whereas the latter involves a syn-allene insertion into the allyl-Pd bond of the same intermediate. The products from the carbocylization undergo stereoselective Diels-Alder reactions to give stereodefined polycyclic systems in high yields.     

Hydrogenated 1,4-insertion of butadiene in the copolymerization with propylene using an isospecific zirconocene catalyst

Poly(propylene-ran-1,3-butadiene) that contained pendant vinyl groups derived from 1,2-inserted butadiene units was selectively synthesized by rac-dimethylsilylbis(2-methyl-4-phenylindenyl)zirconium dichloride (Ph-Ind) activated with modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) in the presence of hydrogen. The copolymers obtained without hydrogen had 1,2-inserted and 1,4-inserted butadiene units. The addition of hydrogen to the copolymerization improved the activity by approximately 1000-fold and gave the copolymer only with 1,2-inserted butadiene units, of which the content was equal to the copolymer obtained without hydrogen. The 13C NMR analysis of the copolymers clarified that butadiene also inserted into the copolymer as a tetramethylene unit, of which the content was almost the same as that of 1,4-inserted butadiene units observed in the absence of hydrogen. No signal that could be assigned to cyclic structures or long branched side chains was observed. These results indicate that pi-allyl species of zirconocenes formed by 1,4-butadiene insertion at the growing polymer chain ends transformed to the tetramethylene chain end by hydrogenation and continued successive propylene insertion.     

Preparation of sigma- and pi-allylcopper(III) intermediates in SN2 and SN2' reactions of organocuprate(I) reagents with allylic substrates

The first pi-allyl complexes of CuIII have been prepared and characterized by using rapid injection nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (RI-NMR). The prototype, (eta3-allyl)dimethylcopper(III), was prepared by injection of allyl chloride into a THF-d8 solution of iodo-Gilman reagent, Me2CuLi.LiI (A), spinning in the probe of an NMR spectrometer at -100 degreesC. A sigma-allyl ate complex, lithium (eta1-allyl)trimethylcuprate(III), was prepared in high yield by including 1 equiv of tributylphosphine in the reaction mixture or by using allyl acetate as the substrate. Cyano ate complex, lithium cis-(eta1-allyl)cyanodimethylcuprate(III) was obtained in high yield by injecting allyl chloride or allyl acetate into the cyano-Gilman reagent, Me2CuLi.LiCN (B), in THF-d8 at -100 degrees C. Reactions of A with allylic substrates show a definite dependence on leaving group (chloride vs acetate), whereas those of B do not. Moreover, these reagents have different regioselectivities, which in the case of A vary with temperature. Finally, the exclusive formation of cis-cyano sigma-allyl CuIII intermediates in both the 1,4-addition of B to alpha-enones and its SN2alpha reaction with allylic substrates now makes sense in terms of pi-allyl intermediates in both cases, thus unifying the mechanisms of these two kinds of conjugate addition.     

Mechanism of the palladium-catalyzed carbohydroxylation of allene-substituted conjugated dienes: rationalization of the recently observed nucleophilic attack by water on a (pi-allyl)palladium intermediate

The mechanism of the palladium-catalyzed oxidative carbohydroxylation of allene-substituted 1,3-cyclohexadiene was studied by DFT calculations. All intermediates and transition states of the reaction were identified and their structures were calculated. The calculations confirm the mechanism previously proposed and show that the C--C bond-forming step occurs via insertion of one of the double bonds of 1,3-cyclohexadiene into a Pd--vinyl bond of a vinylpalladium intermediate. This reaction leads to a (pi-allyl)palladium intermediate, and coordination of benzoquinone and a double bond in the molecule to Pd creates a highly reactive cationic pi-allyl complex, which is readily attacked by water according to the calculations.     

The Structurally Regular trans-1,4-Poly(chloroprene)

Radiation polymerization of large crystals of chloroprene formed within the temperature range -130 to -180°C has yielded the stereoregular trans-1,4-poly(2-chloro-1,3-butadiene). The monomer was found to have a glass transition temperature of ca. -180°C. Polymerization of monomer rapidly cooled to below -180°C was difficult and gave only structurally irregular polymer in low yield.     

2-alkyl-1,3-butadiene polymerization under the influence of π-allylic complexes of transition metals

Stereoregulation in the polymerization of 2-alkyl-1,3-butadienes with transition metal π-allylic complexes has been studied. The direction of isoprene polymerization is shown to be a function of the nature of the metal and ligands in the allylic compound. The presence of acidic ligands in π-allylic complexes of Zr, Cr, Mo, and Co contributes to 1,4-addition and increases the selectivity of π-allylic nickel complexes, favoring cis-1,4-structure formation. Investigation of the model reaction of 2-alkyl-1,3-butadienes with bis(π-perdeuterocrotyl nickel iodide) revealed that active sites have an π-allylic type structure. The mechanism of formation of π-allylic adducts and the main factors which determine the dependence of direction and rate of polymerization on the nature of a monomer in the diene series: 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene(isoprene), 2-ethyl-1,3-butadiene, 2-isopropyl-1,3-butadiene, and 2-tert-butyl-1,3-butadiene, are discussed.     

Insertion of molecular oxygen into a palladium-hydride bond: computational evidence for two nearly isoenergetic pathways

The reaction of a palladiumII-hydride species with molecular oxygen to form palladiumII-hydroperoxide has been proposed as a key step in Pd-catalyzed aerobic oxidation reactions. We recently reported one of the first experimental precedents for such a step (Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2006, 45, 2904-2907). DFT calculations have been used to probe the mechanism for this reaction, which consists of formal insertion of O2 into the palladium-hydride bond of trans-(NHC)2Pd(H)OAc (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene). Four different pathways were considered: (1) hydrogen atom abstraction (HAA) of the Pd-H bond by molecular oxygen, (2) reductive elimination of HX followed by oxygenation of Pd0 and protonolysis of the (eta2-peroxo)-PdII species, (3) oxygenation of palladiumII-hydride with subsequent reductive elimination of the O-H bond from an eta2-peroxo-PdIV center, and (4) formation of a cis-superoxide adduct of the palladium-hydride species followed by O-H bond formation via hydrogen atom migration. The calculations reveal that pathways 1 and 2 are preferred energetically, and both pathways exhibit very similar kinetic barriers. This result suggests that more than one pathway is possible for catalyst reoxidation in Pd-catalyzed aerobic oxidation reactions.     

Tetracyanoethylene pi-complex chemistry. Indirect spectrophotometric determination of Diels-Alder-active 1,3-dienes

An indirect spectrophotometric method, based on the rapid Diels-Alder reaction between cisoid 1,3-dienes and tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) and the destruction of an aromatic-TCNE pi-complex, was developed to determine eleven 1,3-dienes in the 0.05-1.00 x 10(-3)M range. These dienes were: cyclopentadiene; 1,3-cyclohexadiene; trans-1,3-pentadiene; 2,4-dimethyl-1,3-pentadiene; trans-2-methyl-1,3-pentadiene; 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene; 9-methylanthracene; 9,10-dimethylanthracene; 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene; 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene; and 1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiene. Three 1,3-dienes were determined in the 0.05-1 x 10(-4)M range: cyclopentadiene, trans-2-methyl-1,3-pentadiene, and anthracene. The limit of detection for cyclopentadiene in carbon tetrachloride solutions is 0.11 microg/ml. Fourteen 1,3-dienes were found to form stable pi-complexes and could not be determined by the proposed method. For these 1,3-dienes, the spectra of some of the complexes are reported; in addition, relative equilibrium constants for the pi-complexes of 2,5-dimethyl-2,4-hexadiene, cis-1,3-pentadiene, 4-methyl-1,3-pentadiene, and 1,3-cyclo-octadiene were estimated. An explanation of the transient colour in the 1,3-diene-TCNE Diels-Alder reaction is suggested.     

A DFT-based theoretical investigation of the mechanism of the PtCl2-mediated cycloisomerization of allenynes

The mechanism of Pt(II)-catalyzed intramolecular cycloisomerization of allenyne systems has been extensively investigated by DFT calculations. Different mechanistic schemes have been proposed and discussed, including the Alder-ene reaction. The free energy results suggest that the kinetically preferred reaction pathway for precursors that are tri- and tetrasubstituted on the allene moiety should proceed by a five-step mechanism. This would involve formation of a platina(IV)cyclopentene intermediate by selective engagement of the external pi bond of the allene, which would undergo regioselective beta-H elimination from the equatorially disposed methyl group. A metal-induced H migration leads to a second octahedral Pt(IV)-chelate complex, which would yield the expected bicyclic system through an intramolecular migratory insertion step. Therefore, depending on the conformation of the initial eta(4)-reactant complex for trisubstituted patterns, two possible intermediates can be formed that would evolve through different paths. In these cases, the regio- and stereochemical outcomes predicted by the mechanistic scheme proposed agree with experimental data. Substituted precursors on the alkyne moiety follow a distinct, four-step, mechanism also involving an oxidative cyclometalation process to an octahedral Pt(IV) intermediate complex. Theoretical results reveal the kinetic preference for beta-H elimination from the allylic group rather than from the gem-dimethyl group, which should account for the observed regioselectivity.     

On the mechanism of formation of isotactic and syndiotactic polydiolefins

The mode of formation of isotactic and syndiotactic polymers from 1,3-dienes is examined in the light of the most recent results. An interpretation is given for the formation of trans-1,4 isotactic polymers from CH₂=CH-CH=CHR (R = Me, Et, Pr, etc.) type monomers with heterogeneous VCl₃-based catalysts. Evidence is reported showing that stereoregular 1,2 or cis-1,4 polymers derive from a growing polymer chain anti-η³-bonded to the transition metal and a cis-η⁴ coordinated monomer. The influence on stereoselectivity of the substituents at the central carbon atoms of the monomer is discussed. The peculiar behavior of (Z)-1,3-pentadiene and 4-methyl-1,3-pentadiene, which give 1,2 polymers with catalysts that give 1,4 polymers from other monomers, is attributable to the fact that they can coordinate trans-η², in addition to cis-η⁴.     

Head-to-Head Polymers. XXVIII. Attempted Syntheses of Linear Head-to-Head Polyisobutylene

2,2,3,3-Tetramethyl-1,4-dibromobutane, when used as monomer for polymerization by Wurtz-type polycondensation, gave head-to-head polyisobutylene which is branched. Under similar conditions, 2, 5-dimethyl-2, 5-dibromohexane gave no polymer. Copolymerization of ethylene with tetramethylethylene under various conditions gave polyethylene of modest molecular weight with about 5% tetramethylene units in the polymer. 1,1,4, 4-Tetramethyl-1,3-butadiene (2,5-dimethylhexadiene-2,4) polymerized with BF₃ initiator to high molecular weight trans- 1,4-poly-(1,1,4,4-tetrarnethylbutadiene-1,3). The polymer could not be hydrogenated with soluble hydrogenation catalysts and only partially by chemical reduction with diimide. Under forcing conditions, incorporation of portions of the decomposition products of the precursor of the diimide was observed.     

N,N-dihalophosphoramides-XV: The addition of diethyl N,N-dichlorophosphoroamidate (DCPA) to conjugated 1,3-dienes

The addition of DCPA to several conjugated 1,3-dienes has been studied. The reaction was found to proceed in dichloromethane and was spontaneously or photolytically initiated depending on the structure of the dienes. N-chloro adducts, formed upon addition, could be reduced “in situ” with sodium sulphite solution to give the corresponding diethyl N-(chloroalkenyl)posphoroamidates. Addition of DCPA to terminal double bond 1,3-dienes (butadiene, isoprene and 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene) leads regiospecifically to (E)-1,4-adducts. Similarly, 1,4-addition is also observed for 1,3-cyclohexadiene. Reaction of DCPA with nonterminal double bond 1,3-dienes (trans-piperylene, 4-methyl-1,3-pentadiene, 2,5-dimethyl-2,4-hexadiene and 1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiene) usually affords a mixture of adducts. Spectral data and chemical transformations pertinent to the proof of structure of DCPA addition products are presented. A possible mechanism for the addition is discussed.     

镍催化氮杂环丁酮和丁二烯环加成反应机制的理论研究

采用密度泛函理论(DFT)方法对镍催化1-Boc-3-氮杂环丁酮和2,3-二甲基-1,3-丁二烯的环加成反应进行了理论研究. 计算结果表明, 该反应采用氧化加成机制而非实验推测的β-碳消除机制. 氧化加成机制主要由3个基元反应步骤组成, 分别为氮杂环丁酮底物中C—C(=O)键的氧化加成、 二烯顺式插入Ni—C(=O)键、 以及还原消除生成八元氮杂环产物, 其中烯烃插入是整个反应的决速步骤, 反应能垒为86.74 kJ/mol. 通过探讨烯烃分别插入到Ni—C(=O) 键和Ni—C(sp³) 键的2种反应途径分析了烯烃插入步骤的区域选择性, 得到了与实验数据基本一致的结果.     

Divalent ansa-zirconocenes: stereoselective synthesis and high activity for propylene polymerization

The reduction of ZrCl4(PR3)2 with Li powder, in the presence of a stoichiometric amount of trans-1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiene, affords the Zr(II) diene complexes (1) in 90-93% yields. This reaction consists of a rate-limiting step for the formation of the chloride-bridged Zr(III) dimer (2) and a fast diene-driven disproportionation of 2 to 1 and ZrCl4(PR3)2 that re-enters the reduction cycle. The reaction of 1 with Li2{Me2Si(2-Me-4-Ph-Ind)2} in toluene produces quantitatively the desired racemic, divalent ansa-zirconocene (3) that is a highly active isospecific propylene polymerization catalyst upon activation with common activators.     

Development, mechanism, and scope of the palladium-catalyzed enantioselective allene diboration

In the presence of a chiral phosphoramidite ligand, the palladium-catalyzed diboration of allenes can be executed with high enantioselectivity. This reaction provides high levels of selectivity with a range of aromatic and aliphatic allene substrates. Isotopic-labeling experiments, stereodifferentiating reactions, kinetic analysis, and computational experiments suggest that the catalytic cycle proceeds by a mechanism involving rate-determining oxidative addition of the diboron to Pd followed by transfer of both boron groups to the unsaturated substrate. This transfer reaction most likely occurs by coordination and insertion of the more accessible terminal alkene of the allene substrate, by a mechanism that directly provides the eta3 pi-allyl complex in a stereospecific, concerted fashion.