Half-sandwich bis(tetramethylaluminate) complexes of the rare-earth metals: synthesis, structural chemistry, and performance in isoprene polymerization

The protonolysis reaction of [Ln(AlMe(4))(3)] with various substituted cyclopentadienyl derivatives HCp(R) gives access to a series of half-sandwich complexes [Ln(AlMe(4))(2)(Cp(R))]. Whereas bis(tetramethylaluminate) complexes with [1,3-(Me(3)Si)(2)C(5)H(3)] and [C(5)Me(4)SiMe(3)] ancillary ligands form easily at ambient temperature for the entire Ln(III) cation size range (Ln=Lu, Y, Sm, Nd, La), exchange with the less reactive [1,2,4-(Me(3)C)(3)C(5)H(3)] was only obtained at elevated temperatures and for the larger metal centers Sm, Nd, and La. X-ray structure analyses of seven representative complexes of the type [Ln(AlMe(4))(2)(Cp(R))] reveal a similar distinct [AlMe(4)] coordination (one eta(2), one bent eta(2)). Treatment with Me(2)AlCl leads to [AlMe(4)] --> [Cl] exchange and, depending on the Al/Ln ratio and the Cp(R) ligand, varying amounts of partially and fully exchanged products [{Ln(AlMe(4))(mu-Cl)(Cp(R))}(2)] and [{Ln(mu-Cl)(2)(Cp(R))}(n)], respectively, have been identified. Complexes [{Y(AlMe(4))(mu-Cl)(C(5)Me(4)SiMe(3))}(2)] and [{Nd(AlMe(4))(mu-Cl){1,2,4-(Me(3)C)(3)C(5)H(2)}}(2)] have been characterized by X-ray structure analysis. All of the chlorinated half-sandwich complexes are inactive in isoprene polymerization. However, activation of the complexes [Ln(AlMe(4))(2)(Cp(R))] with boron-containing cocatalysts, such as [Ph(3)C][B(C(6)F(5))(4)], [PhNMe(2)H][B(C(6)F(5))(4)], or B(C(6)F(5))(3), produces initiators for the fabrication of trans-1,4-polyisoprene. The choice of rare-earth metal cation size, Cp(R) ancillary ligand, and type of boron cocatalyst crucially affects the polymerization performance, including activity, catalyst efficiency, living character, and polymer stereoregularity. The highest stereoselectivities were observed for the precatalyst/cocatalyst systems [La(AlMe(4))(2)(C(5)Me(4)SiMe(3))]/B(C(6)F(5))(3) (trans-1,4 content: 95.6 %, M(w)/M(n)=1.26) and [La(AlMe(4))(2)(C(5)Me(5))]/B(C(6)F(5))(3) (trans-1,4 content: 99.5 %, M(w)/M(n)=1.18).     

A lutetium allyl complex that bears a pyridyl-functionalized cyclopentadienyl ligand: dual catalysis on highly syndiospecific and cis-1,4-selective (co)polymerizations of styrene and butadiene

A novel linked‐half‐sandwich lutetium–bis(allyl) complex [(C₅Me₄? C₅H₄N)Lu(η³‐C₃H₅)₂] ( 1 ) attached by a pyridyl‐functionalized cyclopentadienyl ligand was synthesized and fully characterized. Complex 1 in combination with [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] exhibited unprecedented dual catalysis with outstanding activities in highly syndiotactic (rrrr>99 %) styrene polymerization and distinguished cis‐1,4‐selective (99 %) butadiene polymerization, respectively. Strikingly, this catalyst system exhibited remarkable activity (396 kg copolymer (mol_Lu h)^?1) for the copolymerization of butadiene and styrene. Irrespective of whether the monomers were fed in concurrent mode or sequential addition of butadiene followed by styrene, diblock copolymers were obtained exclusively, which was confirmed by a kinetics investigation of monomer conversion of copolymerization with time. In the copolymers, the styrene incorporation rate varied from 4.7 to 85.4 mol %, whereas the polybutadiene (PBD) block was highly cis‐1,4‐regulated (95 %) and the polystyrene segment remained purely syndiotactic (rrrr>99 %). Correspondingly, the copolymers exhibited glass transition temperatures (T_g) around ?107 °C and melting points (T_m) around 268 °C; typical values for diblock microstructures. Such copolymers cannot be accessed by any other methods known to date. X‐ray powder diffraction analysis of these diblock copolymers showed that the crystallizable syndiotactic polystyrene (syn‐PS) block was in the toluene δ clathrate form. The AFM micrographs of diblock copolymer showed a remarkable phase‐separation morphology of the cis‐1,4‐PBD block and syn‐PS block. This represents the first example of a lutetium‐based catalyst showing both high activity and selectivity for the (co)polymerization of styrene and butadiene.     

Unprecedented living olefin polymerization derived from an attractive interaction between a ligand and a growing polymer chain

Ti complexes incorporating fluorine-containing phenoxy-imine chelate ligands (fluorinated Ti-FI catalysts) have been demonstrated to induce an unprecedented living polymerization effect with both ethylene and propylene, through an attractive interaction between the fluorine atom in the ligand and a beta-hydrogen atom on the growing polymer chain. With the aid of this attractive interaction, highly controlled living ethylene polymerization, highly-syndiospecific living propylene polymerization, the synthesis of unique block copolymers from ethylene and propylene, and the catalytic production of monodisperse polyethylene and Zn-terminated polyethylene have been realized. The attractive interaction provides a conceptually new strategy for the achievement of controlled living olefin polymerization.     

Bis(amido)cyclodiphosph(III)azane Complexes of Yttrium and the Lanthanides

The first cyclodiphosph(III)azane complexes of the rare‐earth elements have been synthesized. Reactions of the lithium salt cis‐[(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂{Li(thf)}₂] with anhydrous yttrium trichloride or the heavier lanthanide trichlorides resulted in the corresponding cyclodiphosph(III)azane complexes [Li(thf)₄][{(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂}LnCl₂] (Ln=Y ( 1 a ), Ho ( 1 b ), Er ( 1 c )). The single‐crystal X‐ray structures showed that compounds 1 a – c consisted of ion pairs composed of a [Li(thf)₄]⁺ cation and a C_2v symmetric [{(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂}LnCl₂]^? anion. By treating cis‐[(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂{Li(thf)}₂] with anhydrous SmCl₃ in THF, the trimetallic complex [{(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂}SmCl₃Li₂(thf)₄] ( 2 ) was obtained. The influence of the ionic radii of the lanthanides can be seen in the single‐crystal X‐ray structure of compound 2 , which forms a six‐membered Cl‐Li‐Cl‐Li‐Cl‐Sm metallacycle. The ring adopts a boat conformation in which one chlorine atom and the samarium atom are displaced from the Cl₂Li₂ least‐square plane. Heating of the metalate complexes in toluene resulted in the extrusion of lithium chloride and the formation of the neutral dimeric metal chloride complexes of the composition [(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂LnCl(thf)]₂ (Ln=Y ( 3 a ), La ( 3 b ) Nd ( 3 c ), Sm ( 3 d )). Furthermore, treating 1 a with KNPh₂ resulted in a lithium metalate complex of the composition [Li(thf)₄][{(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂}Y(NPh₂)₂] ( 4 ). The coordination mode of the {(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂}^2? ligand in 4 is different to that observed in 1 a – c , 2 , and 3 a – d ; instead of a symmetric η² coordination of the ligand, a heterocubane‐type structure is observed in the solid state. The complex [(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂NdCl(thf)] ( 3 c ) was used as a Ziegler–Natta catalyst for the polymerization of 1,3‐butadiene to poly‐cis‐1,4‐butadiene. The observed activities of the Ziegler–Natta catalyst strongly depended upon the nature of the cocatalyst; in some case very high turnover rates and a cis selectivity of 93–94 % were observed.     

Yttrium bis(alkyl) and bis(amido) complexes bearing N,O multidentate ligands. Synthesis and catalytic activity towards ring‐opening polymerization of L‐lactide

Methoxy‐modified β‐diimines HL ¹ and HL ² reacted with Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ to afford the corresponding bis(alkyl)s [L¹Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₂] ( 1 ) and [L²Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₂] ( 2 ), respectively. Amination of 1 with 2,6‐diisopropyl aniline gave the bis(amido) counterpart [L¹Y{N(H)(2,6‐iPr₂? C₆H₃)}₂] ( 3 ), selectively. Treatment of Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ with methoxy‐modified anilido imine HL ³ yielded bis(alkyl) complex [L³Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF)] ( 4 ) that sequentially reacted with 2,6‐diisopropyl aniline to give the bis(amido) analogue [L³Y{N(H)(2,6‐iPr₂? C₆H₃)}₂] ( 5 ). Complex 2 was “base‐free” monomer, in which the tetradentate β‐diiminato ligand was meridional with the two alkyl species locating above and below it, generating tetragonal bipyramidal core about the metal center. Complex 3 was asymmetric monomer containing trigonal bipyramidal core with trans‐arrangement of the amido ligands. In contrast, the two cis‐located alkyl species in complex 4 were endo and exo towards the O,N,N tridentate anilido‐imido moiety. The bis(amido) complex 5 was confirmed to be structural analogue to 4 albeit without THF coordination. All these yttrium complexes are highly active initiators for the ring‐opening polymerization of L ‐LA at room temperature. The catalytic activity of the complexes and their “single‐site” or “double‐site” behavior depend on the ligand framework and the geometry of the alkyl (amido) species in the corresponding complexes. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5662–5672, 2007     

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.     

Rare earth metal bis(amide) complexes bearing amidinate ancillary ligands: synthesis, characterization, and performance as catalyst precursors for cis-1,4 selective polymerization of isoprene

A family of rare earth metal bis(amide) complexes bearing monoanionic amidinate [RC(N-2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))(2)](-) (R = cyclohexyl (Cy), phenyl (Ph)) as ancillary ligands were synthesized and characterized. One-pot salt metathesis reaction of anhydrous LnCl(3) with one equivalent of amidinate lithium [RC(N-2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))(2)]Li, following the introduction of two equivalents of NaN(SiMe(3))(2) in THF at room temperature afforded the neutral and unsolvated mono(amidinate) rare earth metal bis(amide) complexes [RC(N-2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))(2)]Y[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) (R = Cy (1); R = Ph (2)), and the "ate" mono(amidinate) rare earth metal bis(amide) complex [CyC(N-2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))(2)]Lu[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(μ-Cl)Li(THF)(3) (3) in 61-72% isolated yields. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, and X-ray single crystal diffraction. Single crystal structural determination revealed that the central metal in complexes 1 and 2 adopts a distorted tetrahedral geometry, and in complex 3 forms a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. In the presence of AlMe(3), and in combination with one equimolar amount of [Ph(3)C][B(C(6)F(5))(4)], complexes 1 and 2 showed high activity towards isoprene polymerization to give high molecular weight polyisoprene (M(n) > 10(4)) with good cis-1,4 selectivity (>90%).     

Homoleptic rare-earth metal(III) tetramethylaluminates: structural chemistry, reactivity, and performance in isoprene polymerization

The complexes [Ln(AlMe4)3] (Ln=Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Ho, Lu) have been synthesized by an amide elimination route and the structures of [Lu{(micro-Me)2AlMe2}3], [Sm{(micro-Me)2AlMe2}3], [Pr{(micro-Me)2AlMe2}3], and [La{(micro-Me)2AlMe2}2{(micro-Me)3AlMe}] determined by X-ray crystallography. These structures reveal a distinct Ln3+ cation size-dependency. A comprehensive insight into the intrinsic properties and solution coordination phenomena of [Ln(AlMe4)3] complexes has been gained from extended dynamic 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic studies, as well as 1D 89Y, 2D 1H/89Y, and 27Al NMR spectroscopic investigations. [Ce(AlMe4)3] and [Pr(AlMe4)3] have been used as alkyl precursors for the synthesis of heterobimetallic alkylated rare-earth metal complexes. Both carboxylate and siloxide ligands can be introduced by methane elimination reactions that give the heterobimetallic complexes [Ln{(O2CAriPr)2(micro-AlMe2)}2(AlMe4)(C6H14)n] and [Ln{OSi(OtBu)3}(AlMe3)(AlMe4)2], respectively. [Pr{OSi(OtBu)3}(AlMe3)(AlMe4)2] has been characterized by X-ray structure analysis. All of the cerium and praseodymium complexes are used as precatalysts in the stereospecific polymerization of isoprene (1-3 equivalents of Et2AlCl as co-catalyst) and compared to the corresponding neodymium-based initiators reported previously. The superior catalytic performance of the homoleptic complexes leads to quantitative yields of high-cis-1,4-polyisoprene (>98%) in almost all of the polymerization experiments. In the case of the binary catalyst mixtures derived from carboxylate or siloxide precatalysts quantitative formation of polyisoprene is only observed for nLn:nCl=1:2. The influence of the metal size is illustrated for the heterobimetallic lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, and gadolinium carboxylate complexes, and the highest activities are observed for praseodymium as a metal center in the presence of one equivalent of Et2AlCl.     

Highly trans-1,4 selective (co-)polymerization of butadiene and isoprene with quinolyl anilido rare earth metal bis(alkyl) precursors

The N-R-quinolinyl-8-amino ligands HL(1-3) (R = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3) (HL(1)), 2,6-Et(2)C(6)H(3) (HL(2)), 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3) (HL(3))) have been prepared, which reacted readily with one equiv. of rare earth metal tris(alkyl)s to afford the corresponding bis(alkyl) complexes L(1)Y(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(THF) (1) and L(1-3)Lu(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(THF) (2-4) via alkane elimination. Contrastingly, treatment of the in situ generated neodymium tri(alkyl)s with HL(1) afforded a mono(alkyl) neodymium complex (5). Complexes 1, 2 and 5 in combination with aluminium alkyls and organoborates established homogenous ternary systems that exhibited versatile catalytic activities and trans-1,4 selectivities for the polymerization of butadiene, depending on the types of aluminium alkyl, organoborate and rare earth metal used. Furthermore, the trans-1,4 selective copolymerization of butadiene and isoprene was achieved by using the ternary system of 1/AlMe(3)/[Ph(3)C][B(C(6)F(5))(4)]. Both the kinetics of copolymerization and the thermal behavior of the copolymers were investigated.     

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.     

Rare-earth metal allyl and hydrido complexes supported by an (NNNN)-type macrocyclic ligand: synthesis, structure, and reactivity toward biomass-derived furanics

The preparation and characterization of a series of neutral rare‐earth metal complexes [Ln(Me₃TACD)(η³‐C₃H₅)₂] (Ln=Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) supported by the 1,4,7‐trimethyl‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane anion (Me₃TACD^?) are reported. Upon treatment of the neutral allyl complexes [Ln(Me₃TACD)(η³‐C₃H₅)₂] with Brønsted acids, monocationic allyl complexes [Ln(Me₃TACD)(η³‐C₃H₅)(thf)₂][B(C₆X₅)₄] (Ln=La, Ce, Nd, X=H, F) were isolated and characterized. Hydrogenolysis gave the hydride complexes [Ln(Me₃TACD)H₂]_n (Ln=Y, n=3; La, n=4; Sm). X‐ray crystallography showed the lanthanum hydride to be tetranuclear. Reactivity studies of [Ln(Me₃TACD)R₂]_n (R=η³‐C₃H₅, n=0; R=H, n=3,4) towards furan derivatives includes hydrosilylation and deoxygenation under ring‐opening conditions.     

Fluorinated bis(phenoxy-imine) Ti complexes with MAO: Remarkable catalysts for living ethylene and syndioselective living propylene polymerization

Based on new results as well as the reported data, the ethylene and propylene polymerization behavior of bis(phenoxy-imine) Ti complexes (Ti-FI Catalysts) combined with MAO (particularly that of their fluorinated versions) is discussed, with an emphasis on the characteristics and mechanisms of living ethylene and syndioselective living propylene polymerization. Unlike common living olefin polymerization catalysts, fluorinated Ti-FI Catalysts with MAO display thermally robust living behavior and polymerize ethylene in a highly controlled manner at temperatures as high as 50 °C. Additionally, despite being C₂-symmetric catalysts, fluorinated Ti-FI Catalysts/MAO mediate highly syndioselective living propylene polymerization. Fluorinated Ti-FI Catalysts that we developed are the first examples of catalysts that induce the living polymerization of both ethylene and propylene. In addition, they are also the first examples of living and, at the same time, highly stereoselective propylene polymerization catalysts. The versatile and robust living nature of the fluorinated Ti-FI Catalysts allows the preparation of a wide variety of unique living polymers; some of which can even be produced catalytically. On the basis of theoretical calculations as well as experimental results, we conclude that these unusual polymerization features of fluorinated Ti-FI Catalysts originate from an attractive interaction between the ligand and a growing polymer chain and/or the fluxional character of the catalyst coupled with 2,1-regiochemistry. This is in stark contrast to group 4 metallocene catalysts, which control olefin polymerization mainly by repulsive interactions based on the rigidly organized ligand frameworks.     

Square-planar iridium(II) and iridium(III) amido complexes stabilized by a PNP pincer ligand

Squaring the circle: the novel dienamido pincer ligand N(CHCHPtBu(2))(2)(-) affords the isolation of the unusual square-planar iridium(II) and iridium(III) amido complexes [IrCl{N(CHCHPtBu(2))(2)}](n) (n=0 (1), +1 (2)). In contrast, the corresponding iridium(I) complex of the redox series (n=-1) is surprisingly unstable. The diamagnetism of 2 is attributed to strong N→Ir π donation.     

Cationic rhodium(I)–diolefin complexes containing an optically active C2-symmetric bis(sulfoximine) ligand: Synthesis and catalytic activity

A series of cationic rhodium(I) complexes [Rh(diene)(N^N)][BF₄] (diene = 1,5-cyclooctadiene (cod), norbornadiene (nbd), tetrafluorobenzobarralene (tfb)), containing the optically pure bis(sulfoximine) ligand 1,2-bis(S-methyl-S-phenylsulfonimidoyl)benzene, have been synthesized and fully characterized. The structure of the R,R enantiomer of the ligand, and that of its cyclooctadiene–Rh(I) complex, were confirmed by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Studies on the catalytic activity of these complexes in acetophenone hydrosilylation and dimethyl itaconate hydrogenation are also reported.     

Rare earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes bearing amino phosphine ligands: Synthesis and catalytic activity toward ethylene polymerization

Reactions of neutral amino phosphine compounds HL^1-3 with rare earth metal tris(alkyl)s, Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂, afforded a new family of organolanthanide complexes, the molecular structures of which are strongly dependent on the ligand framework. Alkane elimination reactions between 2-(CH₃NH)-C₆H₄P(Ph)₂ (HL¹) and Lu(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ at room temperature for 3 h generated mono(alkyl) complex (L¹)₂Lu(CH₂SiMe₃)(THF) (1). Similarly, treatment of 2-(C₆H₅CH₂NH)-C₆H₄P(Ph)₂ (HL²) with Lu(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ afforded (L²)₂Lu(CH₂SiMe₃)(THF) (2), selectively, which gradually deproportionated to a homoleptic complex (L²)₃Lu (3) at room temperature within a week. Strikingly, under the same condition, 2-(2,6-Me₂C₆H₃NH)-C₆H₄P(Ph)₂ (HL³) swiftly reacted with Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ at room temperature for 3 h to yield the corresponding lanthanide bis(alkyl) complexes L³Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF)_n (4a: Ln = Y, n = 2; 4b: Ln = Sc, n = 1; 4c: Ln = Lu, n = 1; 4d: Ln = Yb, n = 1; 4e: Ln = Tm, n = 1) in high yields. All complexes have been well defined and the molecular structures of complexes 1, 2, 3 and 4b-e were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The scandium bis(alkyl) complex activated by AlEt₃ and [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄], was able to catalyze the polymerization of ethylene to afford linear polyethylene.     

Synthesis and reactivity of rare earth metal alkyl complexes stabilized by anilido phosphinimine and amino phosphine ligands

Anilido phosphinimino ancillary ligand H(2)L(1) reacted with one equivalent of rare earth metal trialkyl [Ln{CH(2)Si(CH(3))(3)}(3)(thf)(2)] (Ln=Y, Lu) to afford rare earth metal monoalkyl complexes [L(1)LnCH(2)Si(CH(3))(3)(THF)] (1 a: Ln=Y; 1 b: Ln=Lu). In this process, deprotonation of H(2)L(1) by one metal alkyl species was followed by intramolecular C--H activation of the phenyl group of the phosphine moiety to generate dianionic species L(1) with release of two equivalnts of tetramethylsilane. Ligand L(1) coordinates to Ln(3+) ions in a rare C,N,N tridentate mode. Complex l a reacted readily with two equivalents of 2,6-diisopropylaniline to give the corresponding bis-amido complex [(HL(1))LnY(NHC(6)H(3)iPr(2)-2,6)(2)] (2) selectively, that is, the C--H activation of the phenyl group is reversible. When 1 a was exposed to moisture, the hydrolyzed dimeric complex [{(HL(1))Y(OH)}(2)](OH)(2) (3) was isolated. Treatment of [Ln{CH(2)Si(CH(3))(3)}(3)(thf)(2)] with amino phosphine ligands HL(2-R) gave stable rare earth metal bis-alkyl complexes [(L(2-R))Ln{CH(2)Si(CH(3))(3)}(2)(thf)] (4 a: Ln=Y, R=Me; 4 b: Ln=Lu, R=Me; 4 c: Ln=Y, R=iPr; 4 d: Ln=Y, R=iPr) in high yields. No proton abstraction from the ligand was observed. Amination of 4 a and 4 c with 2,6-diisopropylaniline afforded the bis-amido counterparts [(L(2-R))Y(NHC(6)H(3)iPr(2)-2,6)(2)(thf)] (5 a: R=Me; 5 b: R=iPr). Complexes 1 a,b and 4 a-d initiated the ring-opening polymerization of d,l-lactide with high activity to give atactic polylactides.     

Synthesis and characterization of model diblock copolymers of poly(dimethylsiloxane) with poly(1,4‐butadiene) or poly(ethylene)

Model diblock copolymers of poly(1,4‐butadiene) (PB) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), PB‐b‐PDMS, were synthesized by the sequential anionic polymerization (high vacuum techniques) of butadiene and hexamethylciclotrisiloxane (D₃) in the presence of sec‐BuLi. By homogeneous hydrogenation of PB‐b‐PDMS, the corresponding poly(ethylene) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) block copolymers, PE‐b‐PDMS, were obtained. The synthesized block copolymers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H and ¹³C NMR), size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and rheology. SEC combined with ¹H NMR analysis indicates that the polydispersity index of the samples (M_w/M_n) is low, and that the chemical composition of the copolymers varies from low to medium PDMS content. According to DSC and TGA experiments, the thermal stability of these block copolymers depends on the PDMS content, whereas TEM analysis reveals ordered arrangements of the microphases. The morphologies observed vary from spherical and cylindrical to lamellar domains. This ordered state (even at high temperatures) was further confirmed by small‐amplitude oscillatory shear flow tests. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1579–1590, 2006     

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).