Vanadium(V) complexes of a chelating dianionic [ONNO]-type amine bis(phenolate) ligand: synthesis and solid state and solution structures

The reaction between VO(OR)(3) (R = (i)()Pr, (t)()Bu, CH(2)CF(3)) and the chelating dianionic bis(phenoxy)amine ligand [ONNO]H(2) affords a mixture of two isomers (A and B in a ratio A:B approximately 3:1) formulated as VO(OR)[ONNO] (1a-c) (R = (i)()Pr (1a), (t)Bu (1b), CH(2)CF(3) (1c)). Multinuclear and NOESY NMR spectroscopy experiments were able to determine the structure in solution of the complexes. Both isomers have the symmetry-related phenolate groups in a trans configuration, the difference arising from the different configuration of the oxo and alkoxo ligands being located either cis (in isomer A) or trans (in isomer B) to the tripodal amino nitrogen donor atom and the (dimethylamino)ethyl sidearm respectively for the oxo and the alkoxo ligands. Crystals of isomer A (cis-1a) were obtained, and the structure determination confirms the arrangement of the ligands around the vanadium center. Analogue complexes VO(X)[ONNO] (X = Cl (2); X = N(3) (3)) were prepared by reacting equimolar amount of [ONNO]H(2) and VO(X)(n)(OR)(3-n) (X = Cl, R = Et, n = 1; X = N(3), R = (i)Pr, n = 2) at ambient temperature. Compounds 2 and 3 were further characterized by NMR spectroscopy experiments and X-ray structure determination. For both 2 and 3, a single isomer is obtained, having a trans-(O,O) configuration for the phenolate groups and a trans configuration of the oxo ligand in respect to the tripodal amino nitrogen donor atom. Finally, complex 2 could also be obtained by chlorination of 1a or 3 using a large excess of ClSiMe(3) in refluxing toluene.     

Lithium complexes supported by tripodal diaminebis(aryloxido) ligands: synthesis and structure

The diaminebis(aryloxido) ligand precursors H(2)L(1) and H(2)L(2) [H(2)L(1) = Me(2)NCH(2)CH(2)N(CH(2)-4-CMe(2)CH(2)CMe(3)-C(6)H(3)OH)(2); H(2)L(2) = Me(2)NCH(2)CH(2)N(CH(2)-4-Me-C(6)H(3)OH)(2)] were synthesized by a straightforward single-step Mannich condensation. Their reactions with 2 molar equivalents of MeLi in thf afforded [Li(4)(μ-L-κ(4)O,N,N,O)(2)(thf)(2)] (1a, L(1); 1b, L(2)) and unexpectedly small amounts (～9%) of [Li(6)(μ-L-κ(4)O,N,N,O)(2)(μ(3)-Cl)(2)(thf)(4)]·thf (2a·thf; L(1); 2b·thf, L(2)). Stoichiometric reactions of LiCl, MeLi and ligand precursors H(2)L led to the formation of 2a and 2b in high yield (～80%). All compounds were characterized by chemical and physical techniques including X-ray crystallography for H(2)L(1), H(2)L(2), 1b, 2a and 2b.     

The first metal complexes of bis(diisopropylamino)carbene: synthesis, structure and ligand properties

The synthesis of rhodium(I) and iridium(I) complexes of the bis(diisopropylamino)carbene is described for the first time. The formamidinium chloride and the free bis(diisopropylamino)carbene (L) were used as consecutive precursor compounds to form the metal complexes. Spectroscopic and, for LRh(cod)Cl, crystallographic data are presented for the complexes LRh(cod)Cl and LIr(cod)Cl (L=bis(diisopropylamino)carbene). The ligand properties of the acyclic bis(diisopropylamino)carbene are compared with imidazolin-2-ylidenes and imidazolidin-2-ylidenes as ligands in related rhodium(I) carbonyl complexes. Bis(diisopropylamino)carbene is the most basic known carbene ligand to date.     

Organophosphine/phosphite‐stabilized silver(I) complexes bearing N‐hydroxysuccinimide ligand: synthesis,solid state structure and their potential use as MOCVD precursors

Six organophosphine/phosphite‐stabilized silver(I) N‐hydroxysuccinimide complexes of type [C₄H₄NO₃Ag?L_n] (L = PPh₃; n = 1, 2a; n = 2, 2b; L = P(OEt)₃; n = 1, 2c; n = 2, 2 d; L = P(OMe)₃; n = 1, 2e; n = 2, 2f) were prepared. These complexes were obtained in high yields and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³ C{¹H} NMR and IR spectroscopy, respectively. The molecular structure of 2b has been determined by X‐ray single‐crystal analysis in which the silver atom is in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. An interstitial methanol solvent molecule is hydrogen bonded to the oxygen atom of N‐hydroxysuccinimide molecule. Complex 2f was used to deposit silver films by metal‐organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) for the first time. The silver film obtained at 480 °C is dense and homogeneous, which is composed of many well‐isolated, granular particulates spreading all over the substrate surface. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rare earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes bearing a monodentate arylamido ancillary ligand: Synthesis,structure, and Olefin polymerization catalysis

The reaction of Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(thf)₂ with 1 equiv. of the amine ligand 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃NH(SiMe₃) gave the corresponding amido-ligated rare earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes [2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃N(SiMe₃)]Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(thf) (Ln = Sc (1), Y (2), Ho (3), Lu (4)), which represent rare examples of bis(alkyl) rare earth metal complexes bearing a monodentate anionic ancillary ligand. In the case of Gd, a similar reaction gave the bimetallic complex Gd₂(μ-CH₂SiMe₂NC₆H₃ⁱPr₂-2,6)₃(thf)₃ (5) through intramolecular C–H activation of a methyl group of Me₃Si on the amido ligand by Gd–CH₂SiMe₃ and the subsequent ligand redistribution. Complexes 1–5 were structurally characterized by X-ray analyses. On treatment with 1 equiv of [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] in toluene at room temperature, complexes 1–4 showed high activity for the living polymerization of isoprene. The 1/[Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] system showed high activity also for the polymerization of 1-hexene and styrene.     

Ruthenium(II) complexes containing tetrazolate group: electrochemiluminescence in solution and solid state

In this work, we report the results about the solution and solid-state phosphorescence emission properties of six Ru(II) complexes containing various 5-substituted tetrazolate ligands. The photo- and electrochemiluminescence spectra of all compounds revealed a red shifted emission with respect to the Ru(bpy)(3)(2+). Significant changes to the light emission energy and to the efficiency and sensitivity to oxygen were also determined by varying the nature of the substituent ring of the tetrazolate ligand. Light-emitting solid devices with active layers containing solid films of the same complexes were prepared, and preliminary studies of their electroinduced emission properties were performed. The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) emission intensity of two of the six complexes was of the same order of magnitude as the reference Ru(bpy)(3)(2+).     

Chromium(III) complexes bearing bis(benzotriazolyl)pyridine ligands: synthesis,characterization and ethylene polymerization behavior

Reaction of benzotriazole with 2,6-bis(bromomethyl)pyridine and 2,6-pyridinedicarbonyl dichloride yields the tridentate ligands 2,6-bis(benzotriazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine (1) and 2,6-bis(benzotriazol-1-ylcarbonyl) pyridine (2). The molecular structures of the ligands were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These ligands react with CrCl₃(THF)₃ in THF to form neutral complexes, [CrCl₃{2,6-bis(benzotriazolyl)pyridine-N,N,N}] (3, 4), which are isolated in high yields as air stable green solids and characterized by mass spectra (ESI), FTIR spectroscopy, UV–Visible, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and magnetic measurements. After reaction with methylaluminoxane (MAO), the chromium(III) complexes are active in the polymerization of ethylene showing a bimodal molecular weight distribution. A DFT computational investigation of the polymerization reaction mechanism shows that the most likely reaction pathway originates from the mer configuration when the spacer is CH₂ (complex 3) and from the fac configuration when the spacer is CO (complex 4).     

Tuning ligand structure in chiral bis(phosphite) and mixed phosphite-phosphinite PCP-palladium pincer complexes

A range of chiral resorcinol bis(phosphite) and phosphite-phosphinite ligands were produced and their propensity to form palladium PCP-pincer complexes examined. The ease of base-assisted C-H palladation of the ligands falls in the order bis(phosphinite) > phosphite-phosphinite > bis(phosphite). The catalytic activity of the complexes in the asymmetric allylation of benzaldehyde with allyl tributyltin was examined and it was found that, contrary to expectations, ligands with 3,3'-disubstituted BINOL residues show poorer activity and stereoselectivity than unsubstituted BINOL analogues. In addition the order of activity of the pincer complexes was established as bis(phosphite) > phosphite-phosphinite > bis(phosphinite). Crystal structures of representative examples of a 3,3'-disubstituted BINOL, mono- and bis(phosphite) ligands based on 2,4-di-tert-butyl resorcinol and Pd complexes of two of the chiral complexes are presented.     

Exchange of an imido ligand in bis(imido) complexes of uranium

Addition of B(C6H5)3.H2O to U(NtBu)2I2(THF)2 provides U(NtBu)(O)I2(THF)2, a complex with a trans arrangement of the oxo and imido ligands. A DFT study on the Ph3PO adduct, U(NtBu)(O)I2(Ph3PO)2, reveals that there are six bonding orbitals in the O=U=N interaction, much like the bis(imido) N=U=N interaction. However, the calculations suggest that the multiple bonding in the oxo imido complexes is less covalent than that in the bis(imido) analogues.     

Sterically variable dizinc complexes bearing bis(iminopyridyl)phenolate ligands: synthesis, structures and reactivity studies

A series of chiral dizinc complexes of the type [(2,6-{ArN=C(Me)C5H3N}2C6H3O)Zn2(micro-Cl)Cl2] [Ar=2,6-i-Pr2C6H3 (), 2,6-Me2C6H3 (), 2,4,6-Me3-C6H2 (), 2,4-Me2C6H3 ()] can be conveniently prepared in good yield by the template reaction of 2,6-{O=C(Me)C5H3N}2C6H3OH with an excess of the corresponding aniline and two equivalents of zinc dichloride in n-BuOH at elevated temperature. Alternatively, the pro-ligands, 2,6-{(ArN=C(Me)C5H3N}2C6H3OH [Ar=2,6-i-Pr2C6H3 (L1-H), 2,6-Me2C6H3 (L2-H), 2,4,6-Me3C6H2 (L3-H), 2,4-Me2C6H3 (L4-H)], can be isolated and then treated with two equivalents of zinc dichloride to afford . Interaction of with two equivalents of NaOAc in the presence of TlBF4 gives the diacetate-bridged salt [(L1)Zn2(micro-OAc)2](BF4) () while with Nadbm (dbm=dibenzoylmethanato) the bis(dbm)-chelated salt [(L1)Zn2(dbm)2](BF4) () is obtained. Hydrolysis occurs on reaction of with TlOEt to furnish [(L1)Zn2(micro-OH)Cl2] () as the only isolable product. Conversely, reaction of with Tlhp (hp=2-pyridonate) affords the neutral bis(pyridonate)-bridged trimetallic complex [(L1)Zn3(micro-hp)2Cl3] () as the major product along with as the minor one. Complex and mixtures of / act as modest activators for the ring-opening polymerisation of epsilon-caprolactone. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies have been performed on , , , , and reveal Zn...Zn separations in the range: 3.069(4)-4.649(6) A.     

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of new yttrium bis(dimethylsilyl)amido and bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl complexes of a tetradentate bis(phenoxide) ligand

The reactions of a bulky amino-methoxy bis(phenolate) ligand H₂L with Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ and Y[N(SiHMe₂)₂]₃(THF)₂ under mild condition leads to the selective formation of the thermally stable complexes [L]Y(CH₂SiMe₃)(THF) (1) and [L]Y[N(SiHMe₂)₂](THF) (2). The X-ray structures revealed very similar binding of the [ONOO] ligand core to the metal for both complexes, which feature an octahedral geometry involving coordination of the methoxy side-arm of the ligand and of a remaining THF molecule. ¹H-NMR spectroscopy indicates that the solid state structure of 1 and 2 is retained in hydrocarbon solutions with THF coordinated to yttrium. Alkyl complex 1 showed no activity in ethylene polymerization, presumably due to the presence of coordinated THF. The amido complex 2 catalyzed sluggishly the polymerization of methyl methacrylate to give isotactic-rich PMMA but is very active for the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone.     

Polymer-nanoparticle complexes: from dilute solution to solid state

We report on the formation and the structural properties of "supermicellar" aggregates made from mineral nanoparticles and polyelectrolyte-neutral block copolymers in aqueous solutions. The mineral particles put under scrutiny are ultrafine and positively charged yttrium hydroxyacetate nanoparticles. Combining light, neutron, and X-ray scattering experiments, we have characterized the sizes and the aggregation numbers of the organic-inorganic complexes. We have found that the hybrid aggregates have typical sizes in the range of 100 nm and exhibit a remarkable colloidal stability with respect to ionic strength and concentration variations. Solid films with thicknesses up to several hundreds of micrometers were cast from solutions, resulting in a bulk polymer matrix in which nanoparticle clusters are dispersed and immobilized. It was found in addition that the structure of the complexes remains practically unchanged during film casting.     

Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of ruthenium carboxylato and 2-oxocarboxylato complexes bearing the bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetato ligand

A series of ruthenium(II) acetonitrile, pyridine (py), carbonyl, SO2, and nitrosyl complexes [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CR)(L)(PPh3)] (L = NCMe, py, CO, SO2) and [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CR)(L)(PPh3)]BF4 (L = NO) containing the bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetato (bdmpza) ligand, a N,N,O heteroscorpionate ligand, have been prepared. Starting from ruthenium chlorido, carboxylato, or 2-oxocarboxylato complexes, a variety of acetonitrile complexes [Ru(bdmpza)Cl(NCMe)(PPh3)] (4) and [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CR)(NCMe)(PPh3)] (R = Me (5a), R = Ph (5b)), as well as the pyridine complexes [Ru(bdmpza)Cl(PPh3)(py)] (6) and [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CR)(PPh3)(py)] (R = Me (7a), R = Ph (7b), R = (CO)Me (8a), R = (CO)Et (8b), R = (CO)Ph) (8c)), have been synthesized. Treatment of various carboxylato complexes [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CR)(PPh3)2] (R = Me (2a), Ph (2b)) with CO afforded carbonyl complexes [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CR)(CO)(PPh3)] (9a, 9b). In the same way, the corresponding sulfur dioxide complexes [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CMe)(PPh3)(SO2)] (10a) and [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CPh)(PPh3)(SO2)] (10b) were formed in a reaction of the carboxylato complexes with gaseous SO2. None of the 2-oxocarboxylato complexes [Ru(bdmpza)(O2C(CO)R)(PPh3)2] (R = Me (3a), Et (3b), Ph (3c)) showed any reactivity toward CO or SO2, whereas the nitrosyl complex cations [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CMe)(NO)(PPh3)](+) (11) and [Ru(bdmpza)(O2C(CO)Ph)(NO)(PPh3)](+) (12) were formed in a reaction of the acetato 2a or the benzoylformato complex 3c with an excess of nitric oxide. Similar cationic carboxylato nitrosyl complexes [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CR)(NO)(PPh3)]BF4 (R = Me (13a), R = Ph (13b)) and 2-oxocarboxylato nitrosyl complexes [Ru(bdmpza)(O2C(CO)R)(NO)(PPh3)]BF4 (R = Me (14a), R = Et (14b), R = Ph (14c)) are also accessible via a reaction with NO[BF4]. X-ray crystal structures of the chlorido acetonitrile complex [Ru(bdmpza)Cl(NCMe)(PPh3)] (4), the pyridine complexes [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CMe)(PPh3)(py)] (7a) and [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CC(O)Et)(PPh3)(py)] (8b), the carbonyl complex [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CPh)(CO)(PPh3)] (9b), the sulfur dioxide complex [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CPh)(PPh3)(SO2)] (10b), as well as the nitrosyl complex [Ru(bdmpza)(O2C(CO)Me)(NO)(PPh3)]BF4 (14a), are reported. The molecular structure of the sulfur dioxide complex [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CPh)(PPh3)(SO2)] (10b) revealed a rather unusual intramolecular SO2-O2CPh Lewis acid-base adduct.     

Neutral-ligand complexes of bis(imino)pyridine iron: synthesis, structure, and spectroscopy

A family of bis(imino)pyridine iron neutral-ligand derivatives, ((iPr)PDI)FeL(n) ((iPr)PDI = 2,6-(2,6-iPr2-C6H3N=CMe)2C6H3N), has been synthesized from the corresponding bis(dinitrogen) complex, ((iPr)PDI)Fe(N2)2. When L is a strong-field ligand such as tBuNC or a chelating alkyl diphosphine such as DEPE (DEPE = 1,2-bis(diethylphosphino)ethane), a five-coordinate, diamagnetic compound results with no spectroscopic evidence for mixing of paramagnetic states. Reducing the field strength of the neutral donor to principally sigma-type ligands such as tBuNH2 or THT (THT = tetrahydrothiophene) also yielded diamagnetic compounds. However, the 1H NMR chemical shifts of the in-plane bis(imino)pyridine hydrogens exhibit a large chemical shift dispersion indicative of temperature-independent paramagnetism (TIP) arising from mixing of an S = 1 excited state via spin-orbit coupling. Metrical data from X-ray diffraction establish bis(imino)pyridine chelate reduction for each structural type, while M?ssbauer parameters and NMR spectroscopic data differentiate the spin states of the iron and identify contributions from paramagnetic excited states.     

Structure of sodium bis(N-methyl-iminodiacetato)iron(III): trans-meridional N-coordination in the solid state and in solution

The results of a detailed solid state and solution structural study of the Fe(III) bis-mida complex [Fe(III)(mida)(2)]- (mida = N-methyl-iminodiacetate) are reported. The structure of the sodium salt Na[Fe(mida)2][NaClO4]2.3H2O (1) was determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The complex anion in 1 contains a six-coordinate Fe(III) centre bound to two tridentate mida ligands arranged in the meridional configuration, and the mer Fe(III)N2O4 chromophore shows a high degree of distortion from regular octahedral symmetry. Raman- and UV/VIS/NIR spectroscopic measurements showed that no gross changes take place in the Fe(III) coordination sphere upon redissolution in water. Quantum chemical calculations of all three possible configurations of the [Fe(mida)2]- complex ion in the gas phase support the finding that the mer isomer is more stable than the u-fac (cis) and s-fac (trans) isomers. Redox potential measurements of the Fe(III/II)(mida) couple in dependence of pH led to the following values for the equilibrium contants: log beta(III)(101) = 11.98 +/- 0.05, log beta(III)(102) = 20.49 +/- 0.01, pK(III)(a1 OH) = 7.81; log beta(II)(101) = 6.17 +/- 0.01, log beta(II)(102) = 11.39 +/- 0.01.     

Synthesis, reactivity, and structural characterization of sodium and ytterbium complexes containing new imidazolidine-bridged bis(phenolato) ligands

A new imidazolidine-bridged bis(phenol) [ONNO]H2 ([ONNO]H2=1,4-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butyl-benzyl)imidazolidine) was prepared in relatively high yield by Mannish reaction of 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, formaldehyde, and ethylenediamine in a 2:3:1 molar ratio. Reaction of the bis(phenol) with NaH in THF, after workup, afforded the sodium bis(phenolate) {[ONNO]Na2(THF)2}2.2THF (1) as a dimeric tetranuclear complex in an almost quantitative yield. Reaction of YbCl3 with complex 1 in a 2:1 molar ratio in THF, in the presence of HMPA, produced the desired bis(phenolate) ytterbium dichloride as bimetallic complex [ONNO]{YbCl2(HMPA)}2.2.5C7H8 (2). Complex 2 can be used as a precursor for the synthesis of ytterbium derivatives by salt metathesis reactions. Reaction of complex 2 with NaOiPr in a 1:2 molar ratio in THF led to the formation of bimetallic alkoxide [ONNO]{Yb(mu-OiPr)Cl(HMPA)}2.THF (3). However, the residual chlorine atoms in complex 3 are inactive for the further substituted reaction. Further study revealed that the bulkiness of the reagent has profound effect on the outcome of the reaction. Complex 2 reacted with bulky NaOAr (ArO=2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenoxo) or NaNPh2 in a 1:2 molar ratio under the same reaction conditions, after workup, to give the ligand redistributed products, (ArO)2YbCl(HMPA)2 (4) and [ONNO]YbCl(HMPA)2 (5) for the former and complexes 5 and (Ph2N)2YbCl(HMPA)2 (6) for the latter. If the molar ratio of complex 2 to NaNPh2 decreased to 1:4, the expected ligand redistributed products [ONNO]YbNPh2(HMPA) (7) and (Ph2N)3Yb(HMPA)2.C7H8 (8) can be isolated in high yields. All of the complexes were well characterized, and the definitive molecular structures of complexes 1-4, 7, and 8 were provided by single-crystal X-ray analysis.     

Rare earth metal complexes bearing thiophene-amido ligand: synthesis and structural characterization

2,6-diisopropyl-N-(2-thienylmethyl)aniline (H2L) has been prepared, which reacted with equimolar rare earth metal tris(alkyl)s, Ln(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2, afforded rare earth metal mono(alkyl) complexes, LLn(CH2SiMe3)(THF)3 (:Ln=Lu; :Ln=Y). In this process, H2L was deprotonated by one metal alkyl species followed by intramolecular C-H activation of the thiophene ring to generate dianionic species L2- with the release of two tetramethylsilane. The resulting L2- combined with three THF molecules and an alkyl unit coordinates to Y3+ and Lu3+ ions, respectively, in a rare N,C-bidentate mode, to generate distorted octahedron geometry ligand core. Whereas, with treatment of H2L with equimolar Sc(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2, a heteroleptic complex (HL)(L)Sc(THF) () was isolated as the main product, where the dianionic L2- species bonds to Sc3+ via chelating N,C atoms whilst the monoanionic HL connects to Sc3+ in an S,N-bidentate mode. All complexes have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Coordination chemistry of amine bis(phenolate) titanium complexes: tuning complex type and structure by ligand modification

The coordination chemistry of titanium(IV) complexes of amine bis(phenolate) ligands was investigated by synthesizing various types of complexes and analyzing them specroscopically and structurally. Steric effects of tridentate [ONO]- and tetradentate [ONNO]-type ligands were studied by reacting the ligand precursors with titanium tetra(isopropoxide). [ONNO]-type ligands featuring an amine donor located on a pendant arm led to octahedral bis(isopropoxide) complexes, regardless of the steric bulk around the metal. Several such complexes having varying steric crowding were thus synthesized. On the other hand, steric effects were found to play a major role in determining the complex constitution when [ONO]-type ligands, featuring no side donor, were involved. Relatively sterically undemanding ligands led to octahedral bis(homoleptic) complexes, whereas increased steric bulk resulted in the formation of pentacoordinate bis(isopropoxide) complexes. These pentacoordinate complexes readily lead to bis(heteroleptic) complexes by reaction with nonsterically demanding [ONO]- and [ONNO]-type ligand precursors. In the latter case the sidearm nitrogen remains uncoordinated to the metal. The bis(isopropoxide) complexes of the [ONNO]-type ligands may also lead to bis(heteroleptic) complexes, however, these reactions are much slower.     

Nickel(II) complexes bearing pyrazolylimine ligand: synthesis,structure, and catalytic properties for vinyl‐type polymerization of norbornene

Two nickel(II) complexes of {2‐[C₃HN₂(R₁)₂‐3,5]}[C(R₂)?N(C₆H₃ⁱPr₂‐2,6)]NiBr₂ (complex 1 : R₁ = CH₃, R₂ = 2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl; complex 2 : R₁ = R₂ = Ph) were synthesized and characterized. The solid‐state structure of complex 1 has been confirmed by X‐ray single‐crystal analysis. Activated by methylaluminoxane (MAO), complexes 1 and 2 are capable of catalyzing the polymerization of norbornene with moderate activities [up to 10.56 × 10⁵ gPNBE (mol Ni h)^?1] with high molecular weights (M_w?13.56 × 10⁵ g mol^?1) and molecular weight distributions were around 2. The influences of polymerization parameters such as reaction temperature and Al–Ni molar ratio on catalytic activity and molecular weight of the polynorbornene were investigated in detail. The obtained polynorbornenes were characterized by means of ¹H‐NMR and FTIR techniques. The analytical results of polymer structures indicated that the norbornene polymerization is vinyl‐type polymerization rather than ROMP. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Molecular motions in the solid state: the thermochromic nitro-nitrito Interconversion in nickel(II) bis(diamine) complexes

The NO(2)(-) ion, in the trans-octahedral [Ni(II)(N,N'-dimethylethylenediamine)(2)(NO(2))(2)](H(2)O) complex, coordinates the metal through the nitrogen atom (nitro form). On heating the solid complex, the anion rotates to give nitrito coordination (oxygen bound), according to a reversible process. The coordination mode of NO(2)(-) to Ni(II) is related to the steric interplay between the anion and the alkyl substituents on the diamine.