Role of titanium oxidation states in polymerization activity of Ziegler-Natta catalyst: A density functional study

The role of titanium oxidation states in olefin polymerization activity for Ziegler-Natta (ZN) catalyst has been investigated using density functional calculations at B3LYP/LANL2DZ as well as extended LANL2DZ basis that includes diffuse and polarization functions for C, H and Cl. Using the simple [TiCl₂CH₃]ⁿ (n = +1, 0, −1) model catalyst systems, we could rationalize some of the well-known experimental facts with varying Ti oxidation states (+4, +3, +2) in the real ZN systems. Firstly, irrespective of Ti oxidation states, the activation barriers (E_act) for ethylene and syn propylene insertion in Ti-CH₃ bond are comparable in accordance with experimental and modeling studies. Secondly, it was observed that Ti(IV) catalyst has the lowest E_act which progressively increase in the order Ti(IV) < Ti(III) < Ti(II) high spin < Ti(II) low spin catalysts in line with experimental and several modeling results. The effect of solvation on olefin insertion barriers are seen more prominent in case of Ti(IV) systems compared to other oxidation states.     

High activity magnesium chloride supported catalysts for olefin polymerization. XXIX. Molecular basis of hydrogen activation of magnesium chloride supported Ziegler–Natta catalysts

Hydrogen (pH₂ = 72 torr) increases the rate of propylene polymerization by a MgCl₂/ethyl benzoate/p-cresol/AlEt₃/TiCl₄-AlEt₃/methyl-p-toluate catalyst (CW-catalyst) by two-to three-fold which corresponds closely with the increase in the number of active sites as counted by radiolabeling with tritiated methanol. The oxidation states of titanium in decene polymerizations by the CW-catalyst were determined as a function of time of polymerization (t_p). In the absence of H₂, all [Ti⁺ⁿ] for n = 2, 3, 4 remain constant during a batch polymerization. In the presence of H₂ and within 5 min of t_p, [Ti⁺²] decreases by an amount, corresponding to 15% of the total titanium and [Ti⁺³] increases by the same amount, while [Ti⁺⁴] is not changed. Therefore, three-fourths of the H₂ activation result from oxidative addition processes. The remaining one-fourth of the H₂ activation may be attributed to the activation of previously deactivated Ti⁺³ ions by hydrogenolysis. Monomer converts some of the EPR silent Ti⁺³ sites to EPR observable species resulting in their activation.     

Adsorption of TiCl4 and electron donor on defective MgCl2 surfaces and propylene polymerization over Ziegler-Natta catalyst: A DFT study

The formations of defective MgCl₂ surfaces, and subsequent adsorption of Ti species and electron donor, as well as propylene polymerization over the Ziegler-Natta catalyst have been investigated using density functional theory (DFT) method. Twelve possible support models of regular and defective MgCl₂ (110) and (100) surfaces were built. The individual adsorptions of titanium chlorides as mononuclear or dinuclear, and ethyl benzoate (EB) as electron donor, on these models were evaluated. The analysis of energies presented the cases of EB adsorption were generally more stable than titanium chlorides on both surfaces. Thus, EB as internal electron donor mainly prevented TiCl₄ from coordinating on the MgCl₂ surfaces where mostly non-stereospecific active sites could be formed. Exceptionally, A5 the site model with terminal Cl-vacancy on the MgCl₂ support, presented stronger adsorption of TiCl₄ than that of EB on (110) surface. Since the TiCl₄ and ethyl benzoate (EB) would compete to adsorb on the support surface, it seems reasonable to assume that TiCl₄ might predominately occupy this site, which can act as the most plausible active site for propylene polymerization. The first insertion of propylene monomer into the A5 active site model showed that it exhibited good regioselectivity but poor stereospecificity in the absence of electron donor.     

Electron transfer activation of the Diels-Alder reaction: Quantitative relationship to charge transfer excited states

The Diels-Alder cycloaddition of anthracene to tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) is quantitatively compared to alkylmetal insertion under the same reaction conditions. In both systems, the observation of transient charge transfer (CT) absorption bands is related to the presence of 1:1 electron donor-acceptor complexes of anthracene (Ar) and alkylmetal (RM) donors with the TCNE acceptor. The activation free energies ΔG3 for anthracene cycloaddition and alkylmetal insertion are found to be equal to the energies of ion-pair formation, i.e. [Ar⁺TCNE^?] and RM⁺TCNE^?], which are evaluated from the CT transition energies hν_CT. Indeed, the differences in the rates of alkylmetal insertion and anthracene cycloaddition by a factor of more than 10⁹, are shown quantitatively to arise from the differences in ion-pair solvation ΔG^s. The same differences in ΔG^s also apply quantitatively to the free ions, [Ar⁺] and [RM⁺], independently derived from the electrochemical and iron(III) oxidations of alkylmetals and aromatic compounds, respectively, by outer- sphere electron transfer. The charge transfer formulation of the activation process but provides a unifying basis for comparing such diverse processes as Diels-Alder cycloadditions and organometal cleavages, when a common electron-deficient acceptor is employed. The relationship to the concerted mechanisms of the Diels-Alder reaction is discussed.     

Kinetics of polymerization of 1-octene with Mgcl2-supported Ticl4 catalysts

A number of TiCl₄ catalysts supported on MgCl₂ which was activated by the recrystallization method using different alcohols were prepared with ethyl benzoate or dibutyl phthalate as the internal electron donor. All the catalysts were characterized by BET, x-ray diffraction, and hydrolysis–GC analysis. Kinetics of polymerization of 1-octene was studied with three of the above catalysts (having different internal electron donors) activated by AlEt₃. The rate of polymerization increased linearly with increasing temperature, and catalyst and monomer concentrations. From the Arrhenius plot, the overall activation energies of polymerization were determined and the dependence of rate on the AlEt₃ concentration could be explained by the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism. ¹³C-NMR was used to study the effect of internal electron donors on the % isotacticity of poly(1-octene). The catalytic activities of all the catalysts were compared in 1-octene polymerization. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis of exfoliated isotactic polypropylene/functional alkyl-triphenylphosphonium-modified clay nanocomposites by in situ polymerization

Diphenyl (4-hydroxyphenyl) hexadecyl phosphonium bromide (POH) -modified montmorillonite (POHMMT) was used to prepare a novel TiCl₄/MgCl₂/POHMMT compound catalyst and exfoliated iPP/POHMMT nanocomposites were prepared by the in situ intercalative polymerization of propylene with the TiCl₄/MgCl₂/POHMMT compound catalyst. The POH surfactants don’t change the catalytic characteristic of the Z-N catalyst and the obtained PP presents high isotacticity, normal molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. The WAXD, SAXS and TEM results demonstrate the highly exfoliated iPP/POHMMT nanocomposites were produced by the in situ polymerization with this novel catalyst, while the intercalated iPP/Na⁺MMT nanocomposites were produced with the TiCl₄/MgCl₂/Na⁺MMT compound catalyst. Through this approach, in situ propylene polymerization can actually take place between the silicate layers and lead not only to PP with high isotacticity and molecular weight, but also to highly exfoliated PP nanocomposites.     

Hydrogen effects in propylene polymerization reactions with titanium‐based Ziegler–Natta catalysts. I. Chemical mechanism of catalyst activation

The hydrogen activation effect in propylene polymerization reactions with Ti‐based Ziegler–Natta catalysts is usually explained by hydrogenolysis of dormant active centers formed after secondary insertion of a propylene molecule into the growing polymer chain. This article proposes a different mechanism for the hydrogen activation effect due to hydrogenolysis of the Ti? iso‐C₃H₇ group. This group can be formed in two reactions: (1) after secondary propylene insertion into the Ti? H bond (which is generated after β‐hydrogen elimination in the growing polymer chain or after chain transfer with hydrogen), and (2) in the chain transfer with propylene if a propylene molecule is coordinated to the Ti atom in the secondary orientation. The Ti? CH(CH₃)₂ species is relatively stable, possibly because of the β‐agostic interaction between the H atom of one of its CH₃ groups and the Ti atom. The validity of this mechanism was demonstrated in a gas chromatography study of oligomers formed in ethylene/α‐olefin copolymerization reactions with δ‐TiCl₃/AlEt₃ and TiCl₄/dibutyl phthalate/MgCl₂–AlEt₃ catalysts. A quantitative analysis of gas chromatography data for ethylene/propylene co‐oligomers showed that the probability of secondary propylene insertion into the Ti? H bond was only 3–4 times lower than the probability of primary insertion. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1353–1365, 2002     

Highly active supported catalysts for olefin polymerization: Preparation and characterization of the catalyst

With use of the support prepared by the reaction¹ of a Grignard reagent with reaction mixture of AlCl₃ and CH₃Si(OC₂H₅)₃, an immobilized active stereospecific titanium catalyst was prepared by the three-step treatment of the support, first with TiCl₄, second with ethylbenzoate, and third with TiCl₄ again. The catalyst was also prepared by the two-step treatment of the support, with the mixture of TiCl₄ and ethylbenzoate, and with TiCl₄. Solids obtained in each step of the catalyst preparation were characterized by elemental and IR analysis, and their activities for propylene polymerization were determined with triethylaluminum as a cocatalyst under an atmospheric propylene pressure for 1 h at 60°C. The experimental data support the idea that both TiCl₄ and ethylbenzoate as donors are immobilized on the surface of the active stereospecific catalyst without any interaction between them.     

Chlorokomplexe von Ti(III), V(III) und Cr(III) in Propandiol-1,2-carbonat und Trimethylphosphat

Addition of chloride ions to the hexasolvated ions of Ti(III), V(III) and Cr(III) in propandiol-1,2-carbonate (PDC) and trimethylphosphate (TMP) may lead to the following complexes: [TiCl]²⁺ (inPDC), [TiCl₂]⁺ (inTMP), TiCl₃ (inPDC andTMP, low solubility inTMP), [TiCl₄]^? (inPDC andTMP?), [TiCl₆]^3? (inPDC); [VCl]²⁺ (inPDC andTMP), VCl₃ (inPDC andTMP, low solubility inTMP), [VCl₄]^? (inPDC); [CrCl]²⁺ (inTMP), [CrCl₂]⁺ (inPDC), CrCl₃ (inPDC andTMP), [CrCl₄]^? (inPDC).     

Fourier transform infrared spectra of three titanium tetrachloride-ethyl benzoate complexes. Assignment based on five isotopic homologues and extension of the ethyl benzoate force field

FTIR spectra (200–1750 cm⁻¹) are given for (TiCl₄EB)₂, (TiCl₄)₂EB and TiCl₄EB₂, where EB is ethyl benzoate. A full assignment is given for (TiCl₄EB)₂ based on extension of an ethyl benzoate force field and four isotopically labelled complexes with ¹⁸Ocarbonyl-EB, d₅-EB, Ed₅-B and d₅-Ed₅-B. There is no evidence for bidentate complexation or complexation through the ether oxygen in any of the complexes. A strong coupling between the αCO stretching vibration and the ethyl group deformations can make simplified interpretations of differences between spectra misleading.     

Structures and mutual transformations of isomers of germylium ions (CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)H<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ge<Superscript>+</Superscript> and (CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>HGe<Superscript>+</Superscript> and their silicon analogs

The potential energy surfaces of the (CH₃)_nH_3?n M⁺ ions, where n = 1, 2; M = Si, Ge, were scanned using the B3LYP method with 6–31G* and aug-cc-pVDZ basis sets. The major attention was given to isomeric species having the form of complexes of the HM⁺ and CH₃M⁺ ions with hydrogen, methane, and ethane molecules. These species were characterized previously neither by experimental nor by theoretical methods. It was found that these species become more stable in going from Si to Ge; the complex [CH₃Ge⁺CH₄] is the second isomer in the energy after (CH₃)₂HGe⁺. However, the heights of the activation barriers to formation of these complexes from the most stable isomer, though decreasing in going from Si to Ge, remain relatively high and, what is particularly important, somewhat exceed the activation barrier to formation of the complex [H₃Ge⁺·C₂H₄].     

Brucinium 3,5‐dinitro­benzoate methanol solvate,methanol disolvate and trihydrate

Crystals of brucinium 3,5‐dinitro­benzoate methanol solvate, C₂₃H₂₇N₂O₄⁺·C₇H₃N₂O₆⁻·CH₃OH, (I), brucinium 3,5‐dinitro­benzoate methanol disolvate, C₂₃H₂₇N₂O₄⁺·C₇H₃N₂O₆⁻·2CH₃OH, (II), and brucinium 3,5‐dinitro­benzoate trihydrate, C₂₃H₂₇N₂O₄⁺·C₇H₃N₂O₆⁻·3H₂O, (III), were obtained from methanol [for (I) and (II)] or ethanol solutions [for (III)]. The brucinium cations and 3,5‐dinitro­benzoate anions are linked by ionic N—H⁺⋯O⁻ hydrogen bonds. In the crystals of (I), (II) and (III), the brucinium cations exhibit different modes of packing, viz. corrugated ribbons, pillars and corrugated monolayer sheets, respectively. While in (III), the amide O atom of the brucinium cation participates in O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, in which water mol­ecules are the donors, in (I) and (II), the amide O atom of the brucinium cation is involved in weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and other brucinium cations are the donors.     

Synthesis of Chain‐End Functionalized Polyolefins with a Bis(phenoxy imine) Titanium Catalyst

Polyethylenes and highly syndiotactic poly(propylene)s possessing chain end hydroxyl groups were synthesized by living polymerizations using L₂TiCl₂ [ 1 , L: C₆F₅NCH(2 O C₆H₃ 3 ^tBu)]/MAO and functionalized α‐olefins, H₂CCH(CH₂)_n Y [ 2 ; YOAlMe₂, n = 4 ( 2a ); YOSiMe₃, n = 9 ( 2b )]. Because the primary insertion of 2 to a cationic species L₂Ti⁺ Me ( 3 ) derived from 1 /MAO is much faster than the successive secondary insertion of 2 , addition of an equimolar amount of 2 to 3 resulted in the quantitative formation of L₂Ti⁺ CH₂ CH(Me) (CH₂)_n Y [ 4 ; YOAlMe₂, n = 4 ( 4a ); YOSiMe₃, n = 9 ( 4b )]. These cationic species 4 served as functionalized initiators for the living polymerization of both ethylene and propylene and afforded polyolefins having extremely narrow molecular weight distributions and a hydroxyl group at the initiating chain end. The terminating chain end of the syndiotactic poly(propylene)s was also functionalized by adding an excess amount of 2b as a chain end capping agent to the living L₂Ti–polymeryl species. Due to much slower insertion of the second molecule of 2b relative to the first one, the obtained polymers were end capped quantitatively by a single molecule of 2b . Telechelic syndiotactic poly(propylene)s were successfully synthesized through a living polymerization initiated by 4b and an end capping using 2b .

     

State of various stereoregulating electron-donating compounds in titanium-magnesium catalysts for propylene polymerization: A diffuse reflectance IR spectroscopic study

Propylene polymerization on TiCl₄/donor/MgCl₂ (donor = ethyl benzoate, dibutyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate, diethyl 2,3-diisopropylsuccinate) supported catalysts is considered. The states of the donors in the catalysts have been investigated by diffuse reflectance IR spectroscopy. Data characterizing the distribution of the donors and the active component (TiCl₄) on the support surface have been obtained. Molecular weight distribution data for polypropylene are presented. The molecular weight distribution of polypropylene depends on the location of the donor and TiCl₄ molecules.     

Mechanistic Details of the Fe+-Mediated C?C and C?H Bond Activations in Propane: A Theoretical Investigation

Quantum-chemical calculations employing a density-functional theory/Hartree-Fock hybrid method (B3LYP) have been used to explore the mechanistic details of the C? C and C? H bond-activation processes in propane mediated by a bare Fe⁺ ion. While the theoretically predicted results are in complete accord with all available experimental data, they give rise to a different mechanistic picture than envisaged previously. In contrast to earlier speculation, the activation barriers for the initial insertion steps of Fe⁺ into a C? H or C? C bond are found to be significantly below the Fe⁺ + C₃H₈ channel. The rate-determining steps for both, the C? C and the C? H bond activation branches of the [FeC₃H₈]⁺ potential-energy surface rather occur late on the respective reaction coordinates and are connected with saddle points of concerted rearrangement processes. The C? C bond activation, which leads to the exothermic reductive elimination of methane, occurs via the C? C inserted species and not as a side channel originating from a C? H inserted ion, as assumed hitherto. For the C? H bond-activation processes, which finally results in the exothermic expulsion of molecular hydrogen, two energetically similar reaction channels for an [1,2]-elimination exist. The results clearly show, that an [1,3]-H₂-elimination mechanism cannot compete with the [1,2]-elimination paths, in line with the experimental findings. Overall, a lower energy demand for the reductive elimination of methane compared to the loss of H₂ is obtained, straightforwardly explaining the preference of the former process observed experimentally.     

Complexation of sodium and silver ions by the cryptand 4,7,13-trioxa-1,10-diazabicyclo[8.5.5]eicosane in a range of solvents

The apparent stability constants (K) of the cryptates [AgβC21C₅]⁺ and [Na·C21C₅]⁺ (C21C₅ = 4,7,13-trioxa-1,10-diazabicyclo[8.5.5]eicosane) have been determined in a range of solvents. For [Na·C21C₅]⁺ log (K/dm³ mol⁻¹) = 2.87, 3.72, 3.76, 3.98, 5.08 and 5.12 at 298.2 K in dimethylformamide, pyridine, methanol, acetone, acetonitrile and propylene carbonate, respectively, in the presence of 0.05 mol dm⁻³ tetraethylammonium perchlorate supporting electrolyte. These values are substantially lower than those observed for [Na·C211]⁺ (C211 = 4,7,13,18-tetraoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo[8.5.5]eicosane) and this is attributed to the presence of one less oxygen atom in C21C₅ than in C211. A similar relationship is observed for [Ag·C211]⁺ and [Ag·C21C₅]⁺, where, for the latter cryptate, log (K/dm³ mol⁻¹) = 5.19, <2, 7.62, 8.58 and 4.55 at 298.2 K in dimethylformamide, pyridine, methanol, acetone and acetonitrile, respectively.     

Bond dissociation and internal energies of the gas phase TiCln+ ions formed by 70 eV electron impact ionization: an ion beam study

An ion beam instrument has been constructed that utilizes a unique, simple ion deceleration lens. We demonstrate here that the kinetic energies of the ions formed can be determined accurately and precisely over a range of energies, that endothermic processes can be characterized, and that the instrument exhibits high product ion collection efficiencies. Results of collision-induced dissociation studies of the TiCl_n⁺ ions (n = 1–4), generated by 70 eV electron impact ionization, are presented here. The results are compared with those obtained from threshold measurements, and indicate that these ions are formed with substantial average internal energies. This information is useful, since the rich gas phase chemistry of TiCl_n⁺ ions with organic molecules reported to date involves reactant ions that have not been thermalized.     

Réduction du cryptate de thallium(I) par polarographie impulsionnelle normale: Constante de réduction électrochimique (hétérogène) et constante de vitesse (homogène) de décomplexation

In propylene carbonate as solvent (+(n-hex)₄NClO₄ 0.1 M) the cryptate [222 Tl]⁺ and the cation Tl⁺ are electroducible. The reduction step is monoelectronic and slowed down for the cryptate compared to the uncomplexed cation. For the cryptate [222 Tl]⁺, by correlation of n.m.r. results on homogeneous ion exchange and combination with the electrochemical heterogeneous data, the standard redox potential of the couple [222 Tl]⁺/[222 Tl]⁰ is estimated to be ?0.73±0.02 V/SCE. This value is in agreement with the electrochemical results. The stability constant of [222 Tl]⁺ is calculated by two independent procedures, from electrochemical results and from n.m.r. data. The results are concordant: log K_s=9.0±0.3 at 25°C, in propylene carbonate (+(n-hex)₄NClO₄ 0.1 M).     

Hetero-Diels–Alder reaction of aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by titanium tetrachloride: computational and experimental results

Computational calculations of the hetero-Diels–Alder (HDA) reactions of benzaldehyde with 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene (DMB) catalyzed by BF₃, EtAlCl₂ or TiCl₄ at the density functional theory (DFT) (B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)) level reveal that the reactions involve activation energy barriers of 14.59, 14.34, and 17.44 kcal mol⁻¹, respectively. In the first two cases, reaction occurs through a concerted mechanism, whereas in the presence of TiCl₄, stepwise mechanism involving zwitterionic intermediate is followed. The reaction with isoprene proceeds with complete regioselectivity leading to the expected regioisomer having O/Me in 1:4 positions. The computational results have been verified experimentally when aromatic aldehydes react with 1,3-dienes in the presence of a catalyst to give 3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran derivatives in high yields.