Studies on the mechanism for stereoisomerization of 1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne compounds

The stereoisomerization of 2,5-disubstituted 1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne compounds, stable five-membered cycloalkynes, has been studied with regard to the mechanism. The bimetallic complex of 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)butatriene was synthesized and structurally characterized, although it seems unimportant for the stereoisomerization reactions. The isomerization of trans-1,1-bis(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)-2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne 2a into the cis-form in benzene-d₆ solution were observed using ¹H NMR spectroscopy at 50 °C in various concentrations. The reaction was first order with respect to trans-2a. This ruled out the possibility that a bimetallic complex was responsible for the isomerization. A kinetic isotope effect was observed (k_H/k_D = 1.8), suggesting that C–H activation is involved in the rate-determining step. A mechanism via hydrogen elimination from the complex of η⁴-π,π-coordination mode is proposed.     

Synthesis and structure of 1-metallacyclopent-3-yne complexes of group 4 metals

Five-membered metallacyclic alkyne complexes of titanium and hafnium, 1,1-bis(cyclopentadienyl)-1-titanacyclopent-3-yne (2) and trans-1,1-bis(cyclopentadienyl)-2,5-trimethylsilyl-1-hafnacyclopent-3-yne (6), were synthesized and structurally characterized. The structural analysis of titanium complex 2 implied a larger contribution of an η⁴-π,π-coordinated structure. The hafnium compound 6 has a similar structure to the corresponding zirconium analogue (1a), although slight differences in the bond lengths and angles were observed. A novel 1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne complex, 1,1-bis(methylcyclopentadienyl)-2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne (5), was also prepared and the structure of the trans-isomer was determined.     

Formation and isomerization of cis,cis-Ir(H)2(--Ph)(CO)(PPh3)2 and cis,cis-Ir(H)(--Ph)2(CO)(PPh3)2 in oxidative addition of hydrogen and phenylacetylene to trans-Ir(CO)(--Ph)(PPh3)2

Oxidative addition of H–R (H--Ph and H₂) to trans-Ir(--Ph)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (2) gives the initial products, cis, cis-Ir(H)(--Ph)₂(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (3a) and cis, cis-Ir(H)₂(--Ph)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (3b), respectively. Both cis-bis(PPh₃) complexes, 3a and 3b undergo isomerization to give the trans-bis(PPh₃) complexes, trans, trans-Ir(H)(--Ph)₂(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (4a) and cis, trans-Ir(H)₂(--Ph)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (4b). The isomerization, 3b→4b is first order with respect to 3b with k₁=6.37×10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ at 25°C under N₂ in CDCl₃. The reaction rate (k₁) seems independent of the concentration of H₂. A large negative entropy of activation (ΔS^≠=−24.9±5.7 cal deg⁻¹ mol⁻¹) and a relatively small enthalpy of activation (ΔH^≠=14.5±3.3 kcal mol⁻¹) were obtained in the temperature range 15∼35°C for the isomerization, 3b→4b under 1 atm of H₂.     

1,4-Bis(phosphine)-2,5-difluoro-3,6-dihydroxybenzenes and their P-oxides: Syntheses, structures, ligating and electronic properties

Reactions of 1,4-difluoro-2,5-dimethoxybenzene with LDA (1:2) at low temperatures generated organodilithio intermediates; quenching the reaction mixtures with chlorophosphines ClPR₂ produced 1,4-bis(phosphino)-2,5-difluoro-3,6-dimethoxybenzenes 1a (R = Ph) and 1b (R = iPr). Demethylation of 1a–b was accomplished by BBr₃, yielding bis(phosphino)hydroquinones 2a–b. Treating 2a–b with excess hydrogen peroxide produced bis(phosphinyl)hydroquinones 3a–b. The binucleating properties of 2a were established by the formation of a bimetallic nickel complex upon reaction with Ph₂Ni(PMe₃)₂. Electrochemical activity of hydroquinones 2a–b and 3a–b was examined by cyclic voltammetry. In addition, compounds 2a, 3a and 3b were obtained in crystalline form and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The influence of the fluorine substituents on the composition of the frontier orbitals of 2a and 3a was examined by computational methods.     

Photochemistry of β,γ-enones-VIII: On the remarkable photostability of some β,γ.β',γ'-dienones and the 1,3-acyl shift photoreactivity of two β,γ.γ',δ'-dienones

The direct irradiation of the β,γ.β',γ'-dienones 1–5 and the β,γ.γ',δ'-dienones (E)-6a, (E)-7a and 8a at λ 300 nm has been studied. The β,γ.β,γ'-dienones 1–5 are remarkable photostable for λ ? 300 nm, even upon prolonged irradiation, in contrast to simple β,γ-enones which upon irradiation exhibit α-cleavage, γ-hydrogen abstraction, (E)-(Z) isomerization and oxetane formation. The observed photostability of the β,γ.β',γ'-dienones is rationalized in terms of a rapid radiationless decay of the excited singlet state, enhanced by CT-interaction between the carbonyl ¹(n-π*) state and the homoconjugated 1,4-diene moiety, which precludes fluorescence, photochemical reactions and intersystem crossing (ISC).The β,γ.γ',δ'-dienones (E)-(6a), (E)-7a and 8a exhibit only a 1,3-acyl shift (1,3-AS) without (E)-(Z) isomerization of the alkenyl moiety, to yield (E)-6b, (E)-7b and 8b. It is concluded that the 1,3-AS proceeds from the ¹(n-π*) state with a rate which is very large relative to the rate of ISC to the ³(n-π*) state, thus precluding any internal triplet energy transfer (1TET) from the ³(n-π*) to the ³(π-π*) state which would manifest itself by (E)-(Z) isomerization.     

Iron pentacarbonyl assisted photochemical route to 2,5- and 2,6-divinyl-substituted 1,4-benzoquinones from 1-ene-3-ynes

Photochemical reaction between the enynes, (Z)-1-methoxybut-1-ene-3-yne, 1 or isopropenyl acetylene, 2 with CO in presence of Fe(CO)₅ yields the 2,6- and 2,5-divinyl-substituted 1,4-benzoquinones: 2,6-bis{(Z)-2-methoxyvinyl}-1,4-benzoquinone (3, 42%), 2,5-bis{(Z)-2-methoxyvinyl}-1,4-benzoquinone (4, 31.5%), [{η²,η²:2,6-di(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1,4-benzoquinone}tricarbonyliron] (5, 45%), and {η²,η²:2,5-di(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1,4-benzoquinone}tricarbonyliron] (6, 65%).     

(N-7-Azaindolyl)oligothiophenes: synthesis, characterization, and photophysical properties

The synthesis of a new series of mono- and oligothiophenes capped by 7-azaindoles such as 2-(N-azaindolyl)thiophene (1), 2-(N-azaindolyl)-5′-(bromo)oligothiophenes (2a-4a), and 2,5′-bis(N-azaindolyl)oligothiophenes (2b-4b) has been investigated. The reaction of 7-azaindole with 2-bromothiophene under the modified Ullmann condensation conditions led to the formation of 1. Simple extension of the same method to the reaction of 2,5′-dibromooligothiophenes in the presence of 4-5 M excess of 7-azaindole led to the formation of 2a-4a and 2b-4b in moderate overall yields (40-55%). All compounds were fully characterized by analytical and various spectroscopic techniques. The structures of 2b, 3b, and 4b were determined by X-ray diffraction analyses. All three compounds show several intermolecular C(π)?H interactions leading to the formation of herringbone packing in the solid-state structure. The UV absorption spectra of 1-4 consist of three characteristic electronic transitions corresponding to n→π^∗ and π→π^∗ transitions arising out of the π-conjugation of the entire molecule as well as local aromatic units. The emission spectra of the same compounds show intense fluorescence bands at the wavelengths between 422 and 495 nm. The length of the thiophene chain and the presence of bromine atom influence the band position of both absorption and emission spectra. While the extension in π-conjugation causes the reduction in the band gap, the bromine atom shifts the electronic transition energy to the blue region. The cyclic voltammetric measurements were performed with 1-4, which show that the compounds exhibit a typical pseudo-reversible redox wave with E_ox in the range 0.6-1.2 V.     

Synthesis and structures of dialkyl zirconium complexes with an [OSSO]-type bis(phenolate) ligand bearing a trans-1,2-cyclooctanediylbis(thio) unit

Dimethyl and bis[(trimethylsilyl)methyl] zirconium complexes ([OSSO]ZrR₂) [4, R = Me; 5, R = CH₂SiMe₃] having [OSSO]-type bis(phenolato) ligand 1 based on the trans-1,2-cyclooctanediylbis(thio) core have been synthesized by the reactions of the corresponding dichloro zirconium complex 3 with 2 equiv. of MeMgBr and Me₃SiCH₂MgCl, respectively, in Et₂O/toluene at −78 °C. The molecular structures of these complexes 3-5 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, and X-ray crystallography. ¹H and ¹³C NMR data of complexes 3-5 exhibited that they took the C₂-symmetry in solution in the NMR time scale. In the crystal structures of 3-5, each zirconium center lies at the center of a distorted octahedral coordination sphere with cis sulfur atoms and trans oxygen atoms, which adopts a cis-α [(Λ^∗,S^∗,S^∗)] configuration.     

Effect of the rigidity and flexibility features of 2-pyridinyl or 8-quinolinyl based N-N chiral ligands on the stereochemical properties of [Pd(N-N)Cl2] complexes

The [Pd(N-N^∗)Cl₂] complexes have been obtained, as yellow solids, in almost quantitative yields; N-N^∗ indicate bidentate chiral ligands (S_a)-1, (S_a)-2, (S,S)-3, (R,R)-4, containing the rigid 2-pyridinyl or 8-quinolinyl building block skeleton and the C₂-symmetric chiral framework trans-2,5-dimethylpyrrolidinyl or (S)-(+)-2,2′-(2-azapropane-1,3-diyl)-1,1′-binaphthalene. The ligands pairs have the same C₂-symmetric chiral framework but different building block skeleton, beyond that for the basicity in the N-donor atoms, for rigidity and flexibility features. The N-N^∗ ligands act as chelating ligands leading a square planar geometry. The compounds [Pd(S,S-3)Cl₂] and [Pd(R,R-4)Cl₂] have been also characterised by X-ray diffraction. The rigidity and flexibility features of (S,S)-3 and (R,R)-4 ligands induce a different orientation of the trans-2,5-dimethylpyrrolidinyl moiety with respect to the pyridinyl and quinolinyl plane. This work shows that intrinsic rigidity and flexibility are not enough to define the ligand properties and to preview the effects that they induce on the reactivity of the metal complex.     

Synthesis and thermal behavior of cis- and trans-1-tert-butyl-4,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-2-(trimethylsiloxy)-1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-silacyclohex-4-ene

The cothermolysis of benzoyl(tert-butyl)bis(trimethylsilyl)silane with 2,3-dimethylbutadiene in a sealed tube at 140 °C for 24 h afforded cis- and trans-1-tert-butyl-4,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-2-(trimethylsiloxy)-1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-silacyclohex-4-ene (2 and 3) in a ratio of approximately 1:1 in 66% combined yield. When cis-silacyclohex-4-ene 2 was heated in a sealed tube at 250 °C for 24 h, dyotropic ring contraction took place to give 1-[(tert-butyl)(trimethylsiloxy)(trimethylsilyl)silyl]-3,4-dimethyl-1-phenylcyclopent-3-ene (4), but not trans-2-tert-butyl-4,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1-(trimethylsiloxy)-1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-silacyclohex-4-ene (6). The thermolysis of trans-silacyclohex-4-ene 3 under the same conditions, however, afforded two products, 1-silyl-1-phenylcyclopent-3-ene 4 and trans-1-tert-butyl-4,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1-(trimethylsiloxy)-2-(trimethylsilyl)-1-silacyclohex-4-ene (5). The theoretical calculations were carried out to characterize the transition states and other local minima, and to evaluate the activation energies for the dyotropic rearrangement of 2 to 4 and 6, and 3 to 4 and 5. The energy barriers between 2 and 4, between 3 and 4, and between 3 and 5 were evaluated to be 188, 191, 192 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. The energy barrier between 2 and 6, however, was calculated to be 201 kJ mol⁻¹ or higher. These results are consistent with the experimental finding that the thermal isomerization of 2 affords only 4, but 3 produces both 4 and 5.     

Influence of multidentate N-donor ligands on highly electrophilic zinc initiator for the ring-opening polymerization of epoxides

A set of multidentate ligands have been synthesized and used to stabilize the putative highly electrophilic zinc species initiating ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and propylene oxide (PO). Reaction of the bidentate C₂-chiral bis(oxazoline) ligand (^R2,R3BOX: R₂ = (4S)-tBu, R₃ = H (a); R₂ = (4S)-Ph, R₃ = H (b); R₂ = (4R)-Ph, R₃ = (5S)-Ph (c)) with Zn(R₁)₂ (R₁ = Et (1), Me (2)) led to the heteroleptic three-coordinate complexes (^R2,R3BOX)ZnR₁, 1a-c and 2a, which were isolated in 92-96% yield. Next, two pyridinyl-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have been designed and synthesized: the 1,3-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)imidazolinium salt (d) and the protected NHC adduct 2-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl)-1,3-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)imidazolidine (e). The reaction of ligands d and e with ZnEt₂ led directly to the formation of (NHC)ZnEt(Cl) 3d complex with ethane elimination and the adduct (NHC-C₆F₅(H))ZnEt₂4e, respectively, in high yield. In situ combinations of selected complexes 1a-c, 3d and 4e with B(C₆F₅)₃ (1 or 2 equivalents) give active systems for ROP, with high productivity (3.3-5.9 10⁶ g_polym. mol_Zn⁻¹ h⁻¹) and high molecular weight (M_n up to 132 10³ g mol⁻¹) for CHO polymerization. Although the in situ B(C₆F₅)₃-activated zinc species were not isolated, the sterically demanding BOX ligands (1c > 1b > 1a) and functionalized NHC ligands seem to enhance the stability of highly electrophilic zinc complexes over ligand redistribution, allowing a better control of the cationic ROP as reflected particularly for 3d and 4e complexes by their respective efficiency (42-88%).     

Preparation of 1,1-disubstituted silacyclopentadienes

Several new 1,1-disubstituted siloles containing substituents on the ring carbon atoms have been synthesized. The new siloles: 1,1-dihydrido-2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)-3,4-diphenylsilole (5), 1,1-dihydrido-2,5-dimethyl-3,4-diphenylsilole (6), 1,1-dimethoxy-2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)-3,4-diphenylsilole (7), 1,1-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)-3,4-diphenylsilole (8), 1,1-dipropoxy-2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)-3,4-diphenylsilole (9), and 1,1-dibromo-2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)-3,4-diphenylsilole (13) were prepared from reactions originating from the previously reported, 1,1-bis(diethylamino)-2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)-3,4-diphenylsilole (1) or 1,1-bis(diethylamino)-2,5-dimethyl-3,4-diphenylsilole (2). In addition, three other new organosilane byproducts were observed and isolated during the current study, bis(4-methoxyphenyl)bis(phenylethynyl)silane (11), bis(4-methoxyphenyl)di(propoxy)silane (12) and 1-bromo-4-bromodi(methoxy)silyl-1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-3,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiene (14). Compounds 13 and 14 were characterized by X-ray crystallography and 14 is the first 1,1-dibromosilole whose solid state structure has been determined.     

A new class of azobenzene chelators for Mg and Ca in buffer at physiological pH

A new class of azobenzene-based chelators, trans-3a and trans-3b (3a and 3b), were designed and synthesized in two steps. Both 3a and 3b were readily dissolved in a buffer solution at physiological pH. The values of the dissociation constant of 3a and 3b for Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ were determined by the Hills plot; K_d^Mg=1.12 mM and K_d^Ca=660 μM for 3a and K_d^Mg=158 μM and K_d^Ca=200 μM for 3b, respectively. On irradiation at 489 nm light, 3a isomerized to give cis-form, which underwent cis-to-trans thermal isomerization in darkness at room temperature. The change in the absorption spectrum of the irradiated solution of 3a in the presence of Mg²⁺, showing the cis-to-trans thermal isomerization, indicates that the affinity of cis-3a for Mg²⁺ is lower than that of 3a.     

New binucleating ligand with two [P,S] chelation pockets on a single phenyl ring: Syntheses and X-ray structures of 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)-2,5-difluoro-3,6-bis(methylthio)benzene and of bimetallic complex (CO)3Fe(μ-[(PPh2)(SMe)C6F2(SMe)(PPh2)])Fe(CO)3

Double deprotonations of 1,4-dibromo-2,5-difluorobenzene with LDA (2 equiv., T < −90 °C) generate a reasonably stable organodilithium intermediate. Quenching this reaction mixture with chlorophosphines ClPR₂ produce p-bis(phosphino)benzenes R₂P-C₆Br₂F₂-PR₂ (R = Ph, 4a; R = ⁱPr, 4b). Facile lithium-bromine exchange occurs upon exposure of 4a to BuLi (2 equiv., −80 °C), leading to the generation of another organodilithium intermediate. Addition of MeS-SMe (2 equiv.) to such reaction mixtures gives 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)-2,5-difluoro-3,6-bis(methylthio)benzene (2). Compound 2 is the first example of a neutral binucleating ligand featuring the [P,S] chelating sites on the opposite sides of a single phenyl ring. Compound 4b does not undergo the analogous transformation when subjected to the same conditions (2BuLi/2MeS-SMe). Addition of 2 to Fe(CO)₅/2(Me₃NO · 2H₂O) reaction mixtures led to the isolation of the bimetallic complex {(CO)₃Fe[P,S]-C₆F₂-[P,S]Fe(CO)₃} (3), ([P,S] represents the chelating pockets formed by adjacent -PPh₂ and -SMe groups). All of the new compounds were characterized by spectroscopic and analytical techniques (multinuclear NMR, mass-spectrometry, and/or elemental analysis). In addition, compounds 2 and 3 were characterized via single crystal X-ray diffraction methods.     

Aminobis(phenolate)s of imidomolybdenum(VI) and -tungsten(VI)

The reactions of trans-[MoO(ONO^Me)Cl₂] 1 (ONO^Me = methylamino-N,N-bis(2-methylene-4,6-dimethylphenolate) dianion) and trans-[MoO(ONO^tBu)Cl₂] 2 (ONO^tBu = methylamino-N,N-bis(2-methylene-4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenolate) dianion) with PhNCO afforded new imido molybdenum complexes trans-[Mo(NPh)(ONO^Me)Cl₂] 3 and trans-[Mo(NPh)(ONO^tBu)Cl₂] 4, respectively. As analogous oxotungsten starting materials did not show similar reactivity, corresponding imido tungsten complexes were prepared by the reaction between [W(NPh)Cl₄] with aminobis(phenol)s. These reactions yielded cis- and trans-isomers of dichloro complexes [W(NPh)(ONO^Me)Cl₂] 5 and [W(NPh)(ONO^tBu)Cl₂] 6, respectively. The molecular structures of 4, cis-6 and trans-6 were verified by X-ray crystallography. Organosubstituted imido tungsten(VI) complex cis-[W(NPh)(ONO^tBu)Me₂] 7 was prepared by the transmetallation reaction of 6 (either cis or trans isomer) with methyl magnesium iodide.     

Do lipases also catalyse the ring cleavage of inactivated cyclic trans-β-lactams?

Twelve-membered cyclic cis- and trans-β-lactams 1b and 2b and the corresponding cyclic cis- and trans-β-amino acid enantiomers, 1a, 1c and 2a, 2c were prepared through the CAL-B-catalysed enantioselective ring cleavage of racemic cis-13-azabicyclo[10.2.0]tetradecan-14-one, (±)-1, and trans-13-azabicyclo[10.2.0]tetradecan-14-one, (±)-2. High enantioselectivities (E >200) were observed for the ring opening of both the cis- and trans-β-lactams when the Lipolase-catalysed reactions were performed with 0.5 equiv of H₂O in i-Pr₂O at 70 °C. The resolved β-lactams 1b and 2b (yield ⩾47%) and β-amino acids 1a and 2a (yield ⩾32%) could be easily separated.     

Macrocyclic organotin(IV) carboxylates based on benzenedicarboxylic acid derivatives: Syntheses, crystal structures and antitumor activities

Six new organotin carboxylates based on 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid and 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid derivatives, namely (Ph₃Sn)₂(2,5-L¹)(C₂H₅OH)₂ (1) (2,5-H₂L¹ = 2,5-dibenzoylterephthalic acid), (Ph₃Sn)₂(2,5-L²)(C₂H₅OH)₂ (2) (2,5-H₂L² = 2,5-bis(4-methylbenzoyl)terephthalic acid), (Ph₃Sn)₂(2,5-L³)(C₂H₅OH)₂ (3) (2,5-H₂L³ = 2,5-bis(4-ethylbenzoyl)terephthalic acid), [(n-Bu₂Sn)₄(4,6-L¹)O₂(OH)(OC₂H₅)]₂·2(C₂H₅OH) (4) (4,6- H₂L¹ = 4,6-dibenzoylisophthalic acid), [(n-Bu₂Sn)₄(4,6-L¹)O₂(OH)(OC₄H₉)]₂·2(C₄H₉OH) (5) and [(n-Bu₂Sn)₄(4,6-L²)O₂(OH)(OC₂H₅)]₂·2(C₂H₅OH) (6) (4,6-H₂L² = 4,6-bis(4-methylbenzoyl)isophthalic acid), have been synthesized. All the organotin carboxylates have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography diffraction analyses. The structural analysis reveals that complexes 1-3 show similar structures, containing binuclear triorganotin skeletons. The significant intermolecular O-H?O hydrogen bonds linked the complexes 1-3 to form a novel 2D network polymer with 38-member macrocycles. In complexes 4-6, two Sn₄O₄ ladders are connected by two 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid derivatives to yield ladder-like octanuclear architectures and form macrocycle with 24 atoms. In addition, the antitumor activities of complexes 1-6 have been studied.     

Nucleophilic reactivity of 1-zirconacyclopent-3-ynes: Carbon-carbon bond formation with aldehydes

Nucleophilic reactions of 1,1-bis(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)-1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne (1) with proton and aldehydes were studied. The reaction with HCl gave a mixture of 2-butyne and 1,2-butadiene. Complex 1 reacted with benzaldehyde to give 1-phenyl-2-methyl-2,3-butadien-1-ol (3) in moderate yields in the presence of a proton source such as triethylammonium hydrochloride, while it gave 2-methylene-1-phenyl-3-buten-1-ol (4) on using triethylammonium tetraphenylborate.     

Chiral molecular polygons based on the Pt-alkynyl linkage: Self-assembly, characterization, and functionalization

Treatment of 2,2′-diacetoxy-1,1′-binaphthyl-6,6′-bis(ethyne), L-H₂, with one equiv of trans-Pt(PEt₃)₂Cl₂ led to a mixture of different sizes of chiral metallocycles [trans-(PEt₃)₂Pt(L)]_n (n = 3-8, 1-6). Each of the chiral molecular polygons 1-6 was purified by silica-gel column chromatography and characterized by ¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, MS, IR, UV-Vis, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies, size exclusion chromatography, and microanalysis. Chiral molecular square 2 was also characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The acetyl groups of 2 were readily deprotected under mild conditions to generate 2a which possesses exposed chiral dihydroxy functional groups. The dihydroxy groups were functionalized with n-octadecyl chains or Fréchet-type dendrons to generate dendritic molecules built on a chiral molecular square core. This work shows the potential of generating interesting functional supramolecular systems based on Pt-alkynyl chiral molecular polygons.     

Polymerizable group 4 ansa-cyclopentadienyl-amido catalysts for the copolymerization of ethylene with 1-octene

A styrene unit has been successfully incorporated into the half metallocene constrained-geometry framework as [(η⁵-C₅Me₄)SiMe₂(η¹-NC₆H₄CHCH₂)]MX₂ (M = Ti, X = NMe₂, 6a; M = Zr, X = NMe₂, 6b; M = Ti, X = Cl, 7a; M = Zr, X = Cl, 7b). These complexes have been characterized with ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy together with single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of 6a and 6b. A polystyrene-immobilized constrained-geometry catalyst 8 was formed by the radical copolymerization of 7a with styrene using AIBN as the initiator. The complexes 6a, 6b, 7a and 8 gave active homogeneous catalysts for the copolymerization of ethylene with 1-octene when treated with excess methylalumoxane (MAO). The polymerization results showed that 7a was highly active and effective for the incorporation of comonomer 1-octene whereas the zirconium complex 6b and the immobilized catalyst 8 yield low activities and low incorporations of 1-octene in the products with broad molecular weight distributions.