Role of ion-pair equilibria in homogeneous Ziegler-Natta olefin polymerization catalysis

By means of a multinuclear NMR study of the complexes formed between AlCl₃ and either Cp₂TiCl₂ or Cp₂Ti(CH₂SiMe₃)Cl in methylene chloride solution, isomeric forms of the resulting 1:1 complexes have been detected. The influence of temperature, concentration, ratio of the titanocene chloride to aluminum chloride and nature of the solvent upon the ¹H, ¹³C and ²⁷Al NMR spectra has been investigated. The spectral changes caused by the foregoing factors give compelling evidence for a equilibrium in such Cp₂Ti(R)Cl · AlCl₃ complexes (R = Cl, CH₂SiMe₃) between contact ion pairs, Cp₂TiR · Cl · AlCl₃, and solvent-separated ion pairs, Cp₂TiR⁺ AlCl₄⁻. Upon experimental variations in temperature, concentration, solvent and ratio of R_nAlCl_3−n to the titanium catalyst, the polymerization activity of the catalyst system towards ethylene was markedly altered. Such changes in activity support the conclusion that the most active sites for polymerization in such systems are the solvent-separated ion pairs.     

Preparation,analyses et etudes thermochimiques du tetrafluorure de tellure

Tellurium Tétrafluoride has been prepared and various analysis (chemical, thermal, Xray) have been performed. Heat of fusion (δH_fus = 3,02 Kcal.mol^-1), and calorific capacity of solid TeF₄ from 298 to 402°K (Cp_s = 30 cal.K^-1. mol^-1) and of liquide TeF₄ at 423°K (Cp₁ = 31, 1 cal.K.^-1.mol^-1) have been determined Enthalpic values are given.     

Physical Properties of Superbulky Lanthanide Metallocenes: Synthesis and Extraordinary Luminescence of [EuII(CpBIG)2] (CpBIG=(4‐nBu‐C6H4)5‐Cyclopentadienyl)

The superbulky deca‐aryleuropocene [Eu(Cp^BIG)₂], Cp^BIG=(4‐nBu‐C₆H₄)₅‐cyclopentadienyl, was prepared by reaction of [Eu(dmat)₂(thf)₂], DMAT=2‐Me₂N‐α‐Me₃Si‐benzyl, with two equivalents of Cp^BIGH. Recrystallizyation from cold hexane gave the product with a surprisingly bright and efficient orange emission (45 % quantum yield). The crystal structure is isomorphic to those of [M(Cp^BIG)₂] (M=Sm, Yb, Ca, Ba) and shows the typical distortions that arise from Cp^BIG???Cp^BIG attraction as well as excessively large displacement parameter for the heavy Eu atom (U_eq=0.075). In order to gain information on the true oxidation state of the central metal in superbulky metallocenes [M(Cp^BIG)₂] (M=Sm, Eu, Yb), several physical analyses have been applied. Temperature‐dependent magnetic susceptibility data of [Yb(Cp^BIG)₂] show diamagnetism, indicating stable divalent ytterbium. Temperature‐dependent ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer effect spectroscopic examination of [Eu(Cp^BIG)₂] was examined over the temperature range 93–215 K and the hyperfine and dynamical properties of the Eu^II species are discussed in detail. The mean square amplitude of vibration of the Eu atom as a function of temperature was determined and compared to the value extracted from the single‐crystal X‐ray data at 203 K. The large difference in these two values was ascribed to the presence of static disorder and/or the presence of low‐frequency torsional and librational modes in [Eu(Cp^BIG)₂]. X‐ray absorbance near edge spectroscopy (XANES) showed that all three [Ln(Cp^BIG)₂] (Ln=Sm, Eu, Yb) compounds are divalent. The XANES white‐line spectra are at 8.3, 7.3, and 7.8 eV, for Sm, Eu, and Yb, respectively, lower than the Ln₂O₃ standards. No XANES temperature dependence was found from room temperature to 100 K. XANES also showed that the [Ln(Cp^BIG)₂] complexes had less trivalent impurity than a [EuI₂(thf)_x] standard. The complex [Eu(Cp^BIG)₂] shows already at room temperature strong orange photoluminescence (quantum yield: 45 %): excitation at 412 nm (24270 cm^?1) gives a symmetrical single band in the emission spectrum at 606 nm (ν_max=16495 cm^?1, FWHM: 2090 cm^?1, Stokes‐shift: 2140 cm^?1), which is assigned to a 4f⁶5d¹→4f⁷ transition of Eu^II. These remarkable values compare well to those for Eu^II‐doped ionic host lattices and are likely caused by the rigidity of the [Eu(Cp^BIG)₂] complex. Sharp emission signals, typical for Eu^III, are not visible.     

Insertionsreaktionen von Bis(η-cyclopentadienyl)hydridorhenium mit monosubstituierten Acetylenen

Bis(η-cyclopentadienyl)hydridorhenium Cp₂ReH undergoes stereospecific trans insertion reactions when treated with monosubstituted acetylenes HCCR (R  CO₂Me, CN, CF₃). The cis alkenyl complexes Cp₂Re[η¹-(Z)-CHCHR] thus formed isomerize thermally or under acid catalysis to produce the trans isomers Cp₂Re[η¹-(E)-CHCHR]. When Cp₂ReH adds to HCCCOMe only the trans isomer is observed. The regiospecific β-addition of Cp₂ReH contrasts with the α-addition of Cp₂MoH₂ and Cp₂WH₂. The insertion of acetylenes HCCR′ into the metalcarbon bond of some alkenyl complexes Cp₂Re[η¹-(E)-CHCHR] affords butadienyl complexes Cp₂Re[η¹-{(1E,3E)-CHCHR′CHCHR&}] (R,R′  COMe, CO₂Me). The (E,E)-configuration of these compounds is deduced from ³J(¹³-C¹H) coupling constants.     

Bis(trifluormethylisocyanid)-(η-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)-cobalt. Darstellung und Oxidation zu Trifluormethylisocyanid-(η-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)-dihalogeno-cobalt

Ligand substitution in Cp^*Co(CO)₂ (Cp^* = C₅(CH₃)₅) by trifluoromethyl isocyanide yields Cp^* Co(CNCF₃)₂. Due to the high electron density at the metal atom,the NC vibrations are shifted to low wavenumbers (1906, 1832 cm⁻¹) compared to the free isocya This compound is rapidly oxidized by halogenes to the corresponding halogeno complexes Cp^* Co(CNCF₃)X₂ (X = Cl, Br,I).     

Ligand‐Controlled CO2 Activation Mediated by Cationic Titanium Hydride Complexes, [LTiH]+ (L=Cp2, O)

CO₂ activation mediated by [LTiH]⁺ (L=Cp₂, O) is observed in the gas phase at room temperature using electrospray‐ionization mass spectrometry, and reaction details are derived from traveling wave ion‐mobility mass spectrometry. Wheresas oxygen‐atom transfer prevails in the reaction of the oxide complex [OTiH]⁺ with CO₂, generating [OTi(OH)]⁺ under the elimination of CO, insertion of CO₂ into the metal–hydrogen bond of the cyclopentadienyl complex, [Cp₂TiH]⁺, gives rise to the formate complex [Cp₂Ti(O₂CH)]⁺. DFT‐based methods were employed to understand how the ligand controls the observed variation in reactivity toward CO₂. Insertion of CO₂ into the Ti?H bond constitutes the initial step for the reaction of both [Cp₂TiH]⁺ and [OTiH]⁺, thus generating formate complexes as intermediates. In contrast to [Cp₂Ti(O₂CH)]⁺ which is kinetically stable, facile decarbonylation of [OTi(O₂CH)]⁺ results in the hydroxo complex [OTi(OH)]⁺. The longer lifetime of [Cp₂Ti(O₂CH)]⁺ allows for secondary reactions with background water, as a result of which, [Cp₂Ti(OH)]⁺ is formed. Further, computational studies reveal a good linear correlation between the hydride affinity of [LTi]²⁺ and the barrier for CO₂ insertion into various [LTiH]⁺ complexes. Understanding the intrinsic ligand effects may provide insight into the selective activation of CO₂.     

Inclusion of molybdenocene dichloride (Cp2MoCl2) in 2-hydroxypropyl- and trimethyl-β-cyclodextrin: Structural and biological properties

Organometallic-cyclodextrin inclusion compounds were obtained by the treatment of molybdenocene dichloride (Cp₂MoCl₂) with the modified cyclodextrins (CDs) heptakis-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-β-CD (TRIMEB) and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-CD (HPβCD) in aqueous solution. The products were isolated by liophilisation and characterised in the solid-state by powder XRD, thermogravimetric analysis, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, and ¹³C CP MAS NMR spectroscopy. The results are consistent with inclusion of Cp₂MoCl₂, rather than hydrolysis products such as [Cp₂Mo(H₂O)X]⁺ (X = Cl, OH) or [Cp₂Mo(H₂O)₂]²⁺. The pure non-included metallocene Cp₂MoCl₂ and its inclusion compounds with unmodified β-CD, TRIMEB and HPβCD were screened for their potential antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity, in both human cancer and healthy cell lines. Inclusion in CD was found to enhance the cytotoxic effect of Cp₂MoCl₂, with the TRIMEB adduct displaying the highest anti-tumour activity, along with the lowest toxicity towards non-neoplastic cells.     

A Class of Trinuclear Clusters with Carbonyl Bridging

The impetus for this work was the structure of a trinuclear complex with two carbonyl groups showing incipient triple bridging - Cp₂Rh₃(CO)₄^?. Its structure, barrier to rotation of one Rh(CO)₂^? piece vs. the rest of the molecule, and the nature of the bridging carbonyl interaction are analyzed. Isolobal analogies form an interesting connection between this complex and a bridged isomer of the recently synthesized carbene complexes, Cp₂Rh₂(CO)₂CR₂, one isomer of Cp₂Rh₃(CO)₃, and hypothetical carbyne complexes Cp₂Rh₂(CO)₂CH^+,?. A general bonding model for Cp₂Rh₂(μ-CO)₂X complexes is constructed. The model, rich in geometrical detail, allows minima for the bridging carbonyl groups bending toward and away from the bonded ligand X.     

C-H activation of benzene with CpRu(CO)2CH3

Irradiation of Cp^∗Ru(CO)₂CH₃ (1) in C₆D₆ at room temperature yields Cp^∗Ru(CO)₂C₆D₅ and CH₃D (where Cp^∗ = n⁵-C₅Me₅). Cp^∗Ru(CO)₂CD₃ (2) has also been prepared and similar irradiation in C₆H₆ yields Cp^∗Ru(CO)₂C₆H₅ (3) and CD₃H. This latter reaction confirms that it is the methyl group bonded to ruthenium that is involved in the C-H activation process and not the methyl groups on the Cp^∗ ligand system. The compound Cp^∗Ru(CO)₂C₆H₅ (3) has been prepared for the first time in good yield by the reaction of Cp^∗Ru(CO)₂Br with NaBPh₄. X-ray crystal structures of both Cp^∗Ru(CO)₂CH₃ (1) and Cp^∗Ru(CO)₂C₆H₅ (3) have been determined and the results are reported and discussed.     

On the formation of cyclopentadienyl anions at the surface of mgo by interaction with cyclopentadiene and their reaction with H2 to give surface hydrides

The interaction of C₅H₆ (cyclopentadiene) with the surface of totally dehydrated high surface area MgO is dissociative, with formation of hydroxyl groups and negatively charged (resonance stabilized) C₅H₅⁻ species (Cp⁻) whose IR spectrum closely resembles that of K⁺Cp⁻ and Mg²⁺Cp)⁻₂.On interaction of Cp⁻ with H₂ at 473 K, the formation of surface hydrides and cyclopentane is observed.     

Free radical substitution reaction on zirconium and hafnium organometallics

Di-t-butyl nitroxide readily substitutes alkyl zirconocenes and hafnocenes, Cp₂MR₂, by a rate-determining displacement of alkyl radicals to give high yields of O-alkyl-N,N-di-t-butylhydroxylamine and Cp₂M(R)ONBu^t₂. A free radical substitution of di-benzylzirconocene by benzenethiyl radicals yields Cp₂Zr(SPh)₂.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of two (cyclopentadienyl)titanium(III) hydroborate complexes, [CpTiCl(BH4)]2 and Cp2Ti(B3H8)

Treatment of Cp^∗TiCl₃ and Cp₂TiCl₂ with NaB₃H₈ affords the titanium(III) hydroborate compounds [Cp^∗TiCl(BH₄)]₂ and Cp₂Ti(B₃H₈), respectively. The former compound arises by means of a new reaction, the metal-induced fragmentation of the B₃H₈ anion, and can also be made by treating Cp^∗TiCl₃ with LiBH₄. The latter compound has been previously described, but not characterized crystallographically. Both compounds have been studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Dimeric [Cp^∗TiCl(BH₄)]₂ has bridging chloride ligands and terminal Cp^∗ and BH₄ ligands. The Ti-Ti distance is 3.452(1) Å, which indicates that there is no metal-metal bonding interaction. The Ti-Cl distances are 2.440(2) Å and the Ti-Cl-Ti and Cl-Ti-Cl angles of 89.97(8) and 90.03(8)° so that the Ti₂Cl₂ unit is nearly a perfect square. The BH₄ groups are each tridentate, with a Ti-B distance of 2.220(9) Å and an average Ti-H distance of 1.98(5) Å. In Cp₂Ti(B₃H₈), the B₃H₈ ligand is bidentate, as is usually seen, and the Ti-B and Ti-H distances are 2.600(3) and 1.96(2) Å. The dihedral angle between the Ti-B(1)-B(2) plane and the B(1)-B(2)-B(3) plane is 123.4°. The Ti-B distances are 0.04 Å longer than those in niobium analog, Cp₂Nb(B₃H₈), despite the fact that the single bond metallic radius of Ti is 0.02 Å smaller than that of Nb. This lengthening of the bond is probably a consequence of the presence of one fewer skeletal bonding electron in Cp₂Ti(B₃H₈).     

A DFT Quantum‐Chemical Study of Ion‐Pair Formation for the Catalyst Cp2ZrMe2 /MAO

A process of ion‐pair formation in the system Cp₂ZrMe₂/methylaluminoxane (MAO) has been studied by means of density functional theory quantum‐chemical calculations for MAOs with different structures and reactive sites. An interaction of Cp₂ZrMe₂ with a MAO of the composition (AlMeO)₆ results in the formation of a stable molecular complex of the type Al₅Me₆O₅Al(Me)O–Zr(Me)Cp₂ with an equilibrium distance r(Zr–O) of 2.15 Å. The interaction of Cp₂ZrMe₂ with “true” MAO of the composition (Al₈Me₁₂O₆) proceeds with a tri‐coordinated aluminum atom in the active site (OAlMe₂) and yields the strongly polarized molecular complex or the μ‐Me‐bridged contact ion pair ( d ) [Cp₂(Me)Zr(μMe)Al≡MAO] with the distances r(Zr–μMe) = 2.38 Å and r(Al–μMe) = 2.28 Å. The following interaction of the μ‐Me contact ion pair ( d ) with AlMe₃ results in a formation of the trimethylaluminum (TMA)‐separated ion pair ( e ) [Cp₂Zr(μMe)₂AlMe₂]⁺–[MeMAO]^– with r[Zr–(MeMAO)] equal to 4.58 Å. The calculated composition and structure of ion pairs ( d ) and ( e ) are consistent with the ¹³C NMR data for the species detected in the Cp₂ZrMe₂/MAO system. An interaction of the TMA‐separated ion pair ( e ) with ethylene results in the substitution of AlMe₃ by C₂H₄ in a cationic part of the ion pair ( e ), and the following ethylene insertion into the Zr–Me bond. This reaction leads to formation of ion pair ( f ) of the composition [Cp₂ZrCH₂CH₂CH₃]⁺–[Me‐MAO]^– named as the propyl‐separated ion pair. Ion pair ( f ) exhibits distance r[Zr–(MeMAO)] = 3.88 Å and strong C_γ‐agostic interaction of the propyl group with the Zr atom. We suppose this propyl‐separated ion pair ( f ) to be an active center for olefin polymerization.     

Chimie organométallique du niobium VIII. Etude détaillée de la réaction d'acétyléniques perfluorés avec (η5C5H5)2NbH3: Mise en evídence de la coupure de liaison C-F,de la formation de liaison Nb-F et de la reduction du niobium. Structure cristalline d'un dérivé niobiacyclopentadiène

Hexafluorobutyne (CF₃CCCF₃ = Hfb) reacts with Cp₂NbH₃ (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅) affording five new complexes I–V, whose structures have been studied by mass,

Ir, ESR and NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray study of II shows the presence of a planar NbC₄ ring Nb—C(1): 2.25(5); C(1)—C(2): 1.31(7); C(2)—C(3): 1.53(8); C(3)—(4): 1.34(7); C(4)—Nb: 2.23(5) Å. With trifluoropropyne (CF₃CCH = tfp), only the analog of III, i.e. Cp₂NbFf(tfpH), has been isolated.     

Synthesis and properties of isocyanate and isothiocyanate d1- and d2-complexes of vanadocene

The reactions of vanadocene and its halides Cp₂VCl and Cp₂VCl₂ with R₃MNCX (M  Sn, Si, X  O, S) and R₂M(NCX)₂ in various molar ratios have been studied. The reactions proceed either by an exchange of groups, with no change in the oxidation state of vanadium, or by an oxidative addition of pseudohalide ligand: V^II → V^III; V^III → V^IV. Oxidative addition results in the formation of (R₃M)₂ or gaseous hydrogen (in the reaction with HCl) in the reaction products.We have prepared the first ever monomeric and readily oxidisable d²-complexes of V^III of Cp₂VNCX-type and asymmetric d¹-complexes of Cp₂V(Cl)NCX type, which, although rather stable in air, undergo disproportionation into symmetric d¹-complexes on heating. In transmetallation reactions the ligand activity is found to increase in the order C1 < NCO < NCS. The complexes were characterised by GLC analysis, IR and ESR spectroscopy. A general scheme for the disproportionation reaction of asymmetric complexes of vanadocene is supported by differential thermal analysis data.     

The first evidence for a stereostable centrometalled chirality in a dicyclopentadienyltantalum complex

Reaction of dichlorophenylphosphine with monohydrides Cp₂M(CO)H (M = Nb or Ta) gives the salts [Cp₂M(CO)(PPhClH(]⁺ Cl⁻ in good yields. In a basic medium these salts give the neutral complexes Cp₂M(CO) [P(O)(H)Ph]. In a reaction starting from the chiral hydride Cp^* CpTa(CO)H, (Cp^* = C₅Me₅), two diastereoisomers are obtained, and can be isolated as stereostable structures.     

Syntheses,crystal structure and theoretical modelling of tetrahedral mono-β-diketonato titanocenyl complexes

A comparative investigation on three novel bis(cyclopentadienyl) mono(β-diketonato) titanium(IV) complexes, [Cp₂Ti^IV(R¹COCHCOR²)]⁺ClO₄⁻ (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅), i.e. [Cp₂Ti(tfba)]⁺, [Cp₂Ti(tfth)]⁺ and [Cp₂Ti(tfba)]⁺ where tfba = CF₃COCHCOC₆H₅⁻, tfth = CF₃COCHCOC₄H₃S⁻ and tffu = CF₃COCHCOC₄H₃O⁻, has been performed based on structural data and DFT calculations. The preparation of [Cp₂Ti^IV(β-diketonato)]⁺ClO₄⁻ involves the reaction of Cp₂TiCl₂ with AgClO₄ and the respective β-diketones. The crystal structures show that the structures are isomorphous. All the complexes exhibit π-stacking between one Cp ring and the aromatic R-group ring, i.e. the C₆H₅, C₄H₃S and C₄H₃O fragments, respectively. The DFT calculations show that the formal 16-electron count of these d⁰ titanium(IV) complexes is increased via Ti ← O π bonding. The bonding mode in the [Cp₂Ti(β-diketonato)]⁺ complexes is different from that in Cp₂Ti(OR)₂ and Cp₂Ti(dioxolene) complexes.     

二茂锆羧酸配合物的合成——二茂锆氢化物与α,β—不饱和酸或钠盐反应的研究

本文研究了Cp₂ZrH₂与丙烯酸和Cp₂Zr(H)Cl与丙烯酸钠、巴豆酸钠的反应。产物由IR ¹H和¹³CNMR、ESR谱、气相色谱以及化学方法分析鉴定。产物水解得到与底物相应的饱和酸.用¹H NMR方法考察了Cp₂ZrH₂与丙烯酸的反应过程,用IR方法考察了Cp₂Zr(H)Cl与丙烯酸钠的反应过程。实验结果表明,上面两种反应首先消除H₂或NaCl,形成锆氧健,然后碳碳双键还原生成二茂锆羧酸盐配合物,其中羧酸根离子与二茂锆桥式双齿配位。     

Mechanism‐Based Condition Screening for Sustainable Catalysis in Single‐Electron Steps by Cyclic Voltammetry

A cyclic‐voltammetry‐based screening method for Cp₂TiX‐catalyzed reactions is introduced. Our mechanism‐based approach enables the study of the influence of various additives on the electrochemically generated active catalyst Cp₂TiX, which is in equilibrium with catalytically inactive [Cp₂TiX₂]^?. Thioureas and ureas are most efficient in the generation of Cp₂TiX in THF. Knowing the precise position of the equilibrium between Cp₂TiX and [Cp₂TiX₂]^? allowed us to identify reaction conditions for the bulk electrolysis of Cp₂TiX₂ complexes and for Cp₂TiX‐catayzed radical arylations without having to carry out the reactions. Our time‐ and resource‐efficient approach is of general interest for the design of catalytic reactions that proceed in single‐electron steps.     

Thermal Decomposition of bis(cyclopentadienyl)hafnium compounds and their deuterated analogues

Thermal decomposition ranges of Cp₂HfR_, (R = Me, Ph) have been found by the DTA method. The thermal stability of hafnium derivatives greatly exceeds the stability of analogous titanium and zirconium compounds. Decomposition of Cp₂HfR₂ occurs by abstraction of σ-bonded groups which convert into RH. Hydrogen donors for the RH formation are both π-cyclopentadienyl and σ-bonded groups. The initial π-Cp₂Hf structure rearranges to form the (η⁵-Cp)-(η⁵,η¹-C₅H₄)Hf fragment. These react with HCl to produce Cp₂HfCl₂. It has been established that hydrogen exchange between cyclopentadienyl rings and methyl groups occurs during the thermal decomposition of Cp₂HfMe₂. As a result of the exchange process on thermal decomposition of Cp₂HfMe₂-d6, deuterium insertion into the cyclopentadienyl ring has been shown. The participation of solvent during the decomposition process of the hafnium derivatives has been studied.