Borane‐Catalyzed Cross‐Metathesis Strategy for Facile Transformation of Cyclic (Alkyl)(Amino)Germylenes

A borane B(C₆F₅)₃‐catalyzed metathesis reaction between the Si?C bond in the cyclic (alkyl)(amino)germylene (CAAGe) 1 and the Si?H bond in a silane (R₃SiH; 2 ) is reported. Mechanistic studies propose that the initial step of the reaction involves Si?H bond activation to furnish an ionic species [ 1 ‐SiR₃]⁺[HB(C₆F₅)₃]^?, from which [Me₃Si]⁺[HB(C₆F₅)₃]^? and an azagermole intermediate are generated. The former yields Me₃SiH concomitant with the regeneration of B(C₆F₅)₃ whereas the latter undergoes isomerization to afford CAAGes bearing various silyl groups on the carbon atom next to the germylene center. This strategy allows the straightforward synthesis of eight new CAAGes starting from 1 .     

Using Me3Si–F–Al(ORF)3 and Me3Si–Cl as Methylating Agents – Synthesis and Characterization of SeMeCl2[F{Al(ORF)3}2]

Upon reacting SeCl₄ with Me₃Si–F–Al(OR^F)₃, the selenonium salt SeMeCl₂[al‐f‐al] ( 1 ) {[al‐f‐al]^– = [F[Al(OC(CF₃)₃)₃]₂]^–} was obtained and characterized by NMR, IR, and Raman spectroscopy as well as single crystal XRD experiments. Despite the [SeX₃]⁺ (X = F, Cl, Br, I) and [SeR₃]⁺ salts (R = aliphatic organic residue) being well known and thoroughly studied, the mixed cations are scarce. The only previous example of a salt with the [SeMeCl₂]⁺ cation is SeMeCl₂[SbCl₆], which was never structurally characterized and is unstable in solution over hours. Only ¹H‐NMR studies and IR spectra of this compound are known. The unexpected use of Me₃Si–F–Al(OR^F)₃ as a methylating agent was investigated via DFT calculations and NMR experiments of the reaction solution. The reaction of SeCl₃[al‐f‐al] with Me₃Si‐Cl at room temperature in CH₂Cl₂ proved to yield the same product with Me₃Si–Cl acting as a methylating agent.     

Synthesis of well‐defined syndiotactic poly(methyl methacrylate) with low‐temperature atom transfer radical polymerization in fluoroalcohol

The copper‐mediated atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoro‐2‐propanol (HFIP) was studied to simultaneously control the molecular weight and tacticity. The polymerization using tris[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl]amine (Me₆TREN) as a ligand was performed even at ?78°C with a number‐average molecular weight (M_n) of 13,400 and a polydispersity (weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight) of 1.31, although the measured M_n's were much higher than the theoretical ones. The addition of copper(II) bromide (CuBr₂) apparently affected the early stage of the polymerization; that is, the polymerization could proceed in a controlled manner under the condition of [MMA]₀/[methyl α‐bromoisobutyrate]₀/[CuBr]₀/[CuBr₂]₀/[Me₆TREN]₀ = 200/1/1/0.2/1.2 at ?20°C with an MMA/HFIP ratio of 1/4 (v/v). For the field desorption mass spectrum of Cu^IBr/Me₆TREN in HFIP, there were [Cu(Me₆TREN)Br]⁺ and [Cu(Me₆TREN)OCH(CF₃)₂]⁺, indicating that HFIP should coordinate to the Cu^I/Me₆TREN complex. The syndiotacticity of the obtained poly(methyl methacrylate)s increased with the decreasing polymerization temperature; the racemo content was 84% for ?78°C, 77% for ?30°C, 75% for ?20°C, and 63% for 30°C. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1436–1446, 2006     

Catalytic Hydrosilylation of Imines by Aluminum Hydride Cations

In this work, the catalytic activity of electronically unsaturated three coordinated aluminum hydride cations [ L AlH]⁺[HB(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ ( 1 ) and [ L AlH]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ ( 2 ) in hydrosilylation of imines has been disclosed ( L ={(2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃N)P(Ph₂)}₂N). A variety of organo-silanes such as Et₃SiH, MePhSiH₂, PhSiH₃, TMDSO, and PHMS are screened in this endeavour. The amines as products of catalysis were obtained in good to excellent yields after the hydrolysis of silylamine intermediates. Further, a series of controlled experiments systematically designed to investigate the underlying mechanistic pathway through multinuclear NMR analysis showed Lewis adduct formation between cationic aluminum centre and the imine nitrogen, which subsequently undergoes reaction with silane to afford the product. The hydrosilylation of imine performed with Et₃SiH using catalyst 1 with a loading of 2 mol % at 60 °C occurs smoothly. Whereas 2 led to the product formation with Et₃SiH only when used in stoichiometric quantity. Further, to investigate this unique behaviour of 1 NMR investigations were performed and revealed that the anion in 1 competes for hydride delivery and in-situ generates B(C₆F₅)₃ that cooperatively reinforces the catalytic activity of 1 .     

A Janus‐Headed Lewis Superacid: Simple Access to,and First Application of Me3Si‐F‐Al(ORF)3

Upon reaction of gaseous Me₃SiF with the in situ prepared Lewis acid Al(OR^F)₃, the stable ion‐like silylium compound Me₃Si‐F‐Al(OR^F)₃ 1 forms. The Janus‐headed 1 is a readily available smart Lewis acid that differentiates between hard and soft nucleophiles, but also polymerizes isobutene effectively. Thus, in reactions of 1 with soft nucleophiles (Nu), such as phosphanes, the silylium side interacts in an orbital‐controlled manner, with formation of [Me₃Si?Nu]⁺ and the weakly coordinating [F?Al(OR^F)₃]^– or [(^FRO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR^F)₃]^– anions. If exchanged for hard nucleophiles, such as primary alcohols, the aluminum side reacts in a charge‐controlled manner, with release of FSiMe₃ gas and formation of the adduct R(H)O?Al(OR^F)₃. Compound 1 very effectively initiates polymerization of 8 to 21 mL of liquid C₄H₈ in 50 mL of CH₂Cl₂ already at temperatures between ?57 and ?30 °C with initiator loads as low as 10 mg in a few seconds with 100 % yield but broad polydispersities.     

Cyanidosilicates—Synthesis and Structure

Starting from fluoridosilicate precursors in neat cyanotrimethylsilane, Me₃Si?CN, a series of different ammonium salts [R₃NMe]⁺ (R=Et, ⁿPr, ⁿBu) with the novel [SiF(CN)₅]^2? and [Si(CN)₆]^2? dianions was synthesized in facile, temperature controlled F^?/CN^? exchange reactions. Utilizing decomposable, non‐innocent cations, such as [R₃NH]⁺, it was possible to generate metal salts of the type M₂[Si(CN)₆] (M⁺=Li⁺, K⁺) via neutralization reactions with the corresponding metal hydroxides. The ionic liquid [BMIm]₂[Si(CN)₆] (m.p.=72 °C, BMIm=1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium) was obtained by a salt metathesis reaction. All the synthesized salts could be isolated in good yields and were fully characterized.     

High‐Speed Living Polymerization of Polar Vinyl Monomers by Self‐Healing Silylium Catalysts

This contribution describes the development and demonstration of the ambient‐temperature, high‐speed living polymerization of polar vinyl monomers (M) with a low silylium catalyst loading (≤ 0.05 mol % relative to M). The catalyst is generated in situ by protonation of a trialkylsilyl ketene acetal (^RSKA) initiator (I) with a strong Brønsted acid. The living character of the polymerization system has been demonstrated by several key lines of evidence, including the observed linear growth of the chain length as a function of monomer conversion at a given [M]/[I] ratio, near‐precise polymer number‐average molecular weight (M_n, controlled by the [M]/[I] ratio) with narrow molecular weight distributions (MWD), absence of an induction period and chain‐termination reactions (as revealed by kinetics), readily achievable chain extension, and the successful synthesis of well‐defined block copolymers. Fundamental steps of activation, initiation, propagation, and catalyst “self‐repair” involved in this living polymerization system have been elucidated, chiefly featuring a propagation “catalysis” cycle consisting of a rate‐limiting C? C bond formation step and fast release of the silylium catalyst to the incoming monomer. Effects of acid activator, catalyst and monomer structure, and reaction temperature on polymerization characteristics have also been examined. Among the three strong acids incorporating a weakly coordinating borate or a chiral disulfonimide anion, the oxonium acid [H(Et₂O)₂]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? is the most effective activator, which spontaneously delivers the most active R₃Si⁺, reaching a high catalyst turn‐over frequency (TOF) of 6.0×10³ h^?1 for methyl methacrylate polymerization by Me₃Si⁺ or an exceptionally high TOF of 2.4×10⁵ h^?1 for n‐butyl acrylate polymerization by iBu₃Si⁺, in addition to its high (>90 %) to quantitative efficiencies and a high degree of control over M_n and MWD (1.07–1.12). An intriguing catalyst “self‐repair” feature has also been demonstrated for the current living polymerization system.     

Titanium and Zirconium Complexes with Non‐Salicylaldimine‐Type Imine–Phenoxy Chelate Ligands: Syntheses,Structures, and Ethylene‐Polymerization Behavior

New Ti and Zr complexes that bear imine–phenoxy chelate ligands, [{2,4‐di‐tBu‐6‐(RCH=N)‐C₆H₄O}₂MCl₂] ( 1 : M=Ti, R=Ph; 2 : M=Ti, R=C₆F₅; 3 : M=Zr, R=Ph; 4 : M=Zr, R=C₆F₅), were synthesized and investigated as precatalysts for ethylene polymerization. ¹H NMR spectroscopy suggests that these complexes exist as mixtures of structural isomers. X‐ray crystallographic analysis of the adduct 1 ?HCl reveals that it exists as a zwitterionic complex in which H and Cl are situated in close proximity to one of the imine nitrogen atoms and the central metal, respectively. The X‐ray molecular structure also indicates that one imine phenoxy group with the syn C?N configuration functions as a bidentate ligand, whereas the other, of the anti C?N form, acts as a monodentate phenoxy ligand. Although Zr complexes 3 and 4 with methylaluminoxane (MAO) or [Ph₃C]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^?/AliBu₃ displayed moderate activity, the Ti congeners 1 and 2 , in association with an appropriate activator, catalyzed ethylene polymerization with high efficiency. Upon activation with MAO at 25 °C, 2 displayed a very high activity of 19900 (kg PE) (mol Ti)^?1 h^?1, which is comparable to that for [Cp₂TiCl₂] and [Cp₂ZrCl₂], although increasing the polymerization temperature did result in a marked decrease in activity. Complex 2 contains a C₆F₅ group on the imine nitrogen atom and mediated nonliving‐type polymerization, unlike the corresponding salicylaldimine‐type complex. Conversely, with [Ph₃C]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^?/AliBu₃ activation, 1 exhibited enhanced activity as the temperature was increased (25–75 °C) and maintained very high activity for 60 min at 75 °C (18740 (kg PE) (mol Ti)^?1 h^?1). ¹H NMR spectroscopic studies of the reaction suggest that this thermally robust catalyst system generates an amine–phenoxy complex as the catalytically active species. The combinations 1 /[Ph₃C]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^?/AliBu₃ and 2 /MAO also worked as high‐activity catalysts for the copolymerization of ethylene and propylene.     

Univalent Gallium Complexes of Simple and ansa‐Arene Ligands: Effects on the Polymerization of Isobutylene

Using [Ga(C₆H₅F)₂]⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^?( 1 ) (R^F=C(CF₃)₃) as starting material, we isolated bis‐ and tris‐η⁶‐coordinated gallium(I) arene complex salts of p‐xylene (1,4‐Me₂C₆H₄), hexamethylbenzene (C₆Me₆), diphenylethane (PhC₂H₄Ph), and m‐terphenyl (1,3‐Ph₂C₆H₄): [Ga(1,4‐Me₂C₆H₄)_2.5]⁺ ( 2⁺ ), [Ga(C₆Me₆)₂]⁺ ( 3⁺ ), [Ga(PhC₂H₄Ph)]⁺ ( 4⁺ ) and [(C₆H₅F)Ga(μ‐1,3‐Ph₂C₆H₄)₂Ga(C₆H₅F)]²⁺ ( 5²⁺ ). 4⁺ is the first structurally characterized ansa‐like bent sandwich chelate of univalent gallium and 5²⁺ the first binuclear gallium(I) complex without a Ga?Ga bond. Beyond confirming the structural findings by multinuclear NMR spectroscopic investigations and density functional calculations (RI‐BP86/SV(P) level), [Ga(PhC₂H₄Ph)]⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^?( 4 ) and [(C₆H₅F)Ga(μ‐1,3‐Ph₂C₆H₄)₂Ga(C₆H₅F)]²⁺{[Al(OR^F)₄] ^?}₂ ( 5 ), featuring ansa‐arene ligands, were tested as catalysts for the synthesis of highly reactive polyisobutylene (HR‐PIB). In comparison to the recently published 1 and the [Ga(1,3,5‐Me₃C₆H₃)₂]⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^? salt ( 6 ) (1,3,5‐Me₃C₆H₃=mesitylene), 4 and 5 gave slightly reduced reactivities. This allowed for favorably increased polymerization temperatures of up to +15 °C, while yielding HR‐PIB with high contents of terminal olefinic double bonds (α‐contents=84–93 %), low molecular weights (M_n=1000–3000 g mol^?1) and good monomer conversions (up to 83 % in two hours). While the chelate complexes delivered more favorable results than 1 and 6 , the reaction kinetics resembled and thus concurred with the recently proposed coordinative polymerization mechanism.     

Polymerization of higher α‐olefins using a Cs‐symmetry hafnium metallocene catalyst. Kinetics of the polymerization and microstructural analysis

The C_s‐symmetry hafnium metallocene [(p‐Et₃Si)C₆H₄]₂C(2,7‐di‐tert‐BuFlu)(C₅H₄)Hf(CH₃)₂ and tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl) borate dimethylanilinium salt ([B(C₆F₅)₄]^?[Me₂NHPh]⁺) were used as the catalytic system for the polymerization of higher α‐olefins (from hexene‐1 to hexadecene‐1) in toluene at 0 °C. The evolution of the polymerization was studied regarding the variation of the molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and yield with time. The effect of the monomer structure on the polymerization kinetics was established. The role of trioctylaluminum in accelerating the polymerization was investigated. ¹³C NMR spectroscopy was used to study the microstructure of the poly(α‐olefins) by the determination of the pentad monomer sequences. The thermal properties of the polymers were obtained by differential scanning calorimetry, DSC. The results were discussed in connection with the polymer microstructure. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4314–4325, 2009     

Fine‐Tuning of Lewis Acidity: The Case of Borenium Hydride Complexes Derived from Bis(phosphinimino)amide Boron Precursors

Reactions of bis(phosphinimino)amines LH and L′H with Me₂S ? BH₂Cl afforded chloroborane complexes LBHCl ( 1 ) and L′BHCl ( 2 ), and the reaction of L′H with BH₃ ? Me₂S gave a dihydridoborane complex L′BH₂ ( 3 ) (LH=[{(2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂N)P(Ph₂)}₂N]H and L′H=[{(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃N)P(Ph₂)}₂N]H). Furthermore, abstraction of a hydride ion from L′BH₂ ( 3 ) and LBH₂ ( 4 ) mediated by Lewis acid B(C₆F₅)₃ or the weakly coordinating ion pair [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] smoothly yielded a series of borenium hydride cations: [L′BH]⁺[HB(C₆F₅)₃]^? ( 5 ), [L′BH]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? ( 6 ), [LBH]⁺[HB(C₆F₅)₃]^? ( 7 ), and [LBH]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? ( 8 ). Synthesis of a chloroborenium species [LBCl]⁺[BCl₄]^? ( 9 ) without involvement of a weakly coordinating anion was also demonstrated from a reaction of LBH₂ ( 4 ) with three equivalents of BCl₃. It is clear from this study that the sterically bulky strong donor bis(phosphinimino)amide ligand plays a crucial role in facilitating the synthesis and stabilization of these three‐coordinated cationic species of boron. Therefore, the present synthetic approach is not dependent on the requirement of weakly coordinating anions; even simple BCl₄^? can act as a counteranion with borenium cations. The high Lewis acidity of the boron atom in complex 8 enables the formation of an adduct with 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), [LBH ? (DMAP)]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? ( 10 ). The solid‐state structures of complexes 1 , 5 , and 9 were investigated by means of single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis.     

Rare‐earth‐metal‐initiated polymerizations of (meth)acrylates and block copolymerizations of olefins with polar monomers

The organo‐rare‐earth‐metal‐initiated living polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was first discovered in 1992 with (C₅Me₅)₂LnR (where R is H or Me and Ln is Sm, Yb, Y, or La) as an initiator. These polymerizations provided highly syndiotactic (>96%) poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with a high number‐average molecular weight (M_n > 1000 × 10³) and a very narrow molecular weight distribution [weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight (M_w/M_n) < 1.04] quantitatively in a short period. Bridged rare‐earth‐metallocene derivatives were used to perform the block copolymerization of ethylene or 1‐hexene with MMA, methyl acrylate, cyclic carbonate, or ?‐caprolactone in a voluntary ratio. Highly isotactic (97%), monodisperse, high molecular weight (M_n > 500 × 10³, M_w/M_n < 1.1) PMMA was first obtained in 1998 with [(Me₃Si)₃C]₂Yb. Stereocomplexes prepared by the mixing of the resulting syndiotactic and isotactic PMMA revealed improved physical properties. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 1955–1959, 2001     

Insight into Oxide‐Bridged Heterobimetallic Al/Zr Olefin Polymerization Catalysts

Reaction of (TBBP)AlMe ? THF with [Cp*₂Zr(Me)OH] gave [(TBBP)Al(THF)?O?Zr(Me)Cp*₂] (TBBP=3,3’,5,5’‐tetra‐tBu‐2,2'‐biphenolato). Reaction of [DIPPnacnacAl(Me)?O?Zr(Me)Cp₂] with [PhMe₂NH]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? gave a cationic Al/Zr complex that could be structurally characterized as its THF adduct [(DIPPnacnac)Al(Me)?O?Zr(THF)Cp₂]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? (DIPPnacnac=HC[(Me)C=N(2,6‐iPr₂?C₆H₃)]₂). The first complex polymerizes ethene in the presence of an alkylaluminum scavenger but in the absence of methylalumoxane (MAO). The adduct cation is inactive under these conditions. Theoretical calculations show very high energy barriers (ΔG=40–47 kcal mol^?1) for ethene insertion with a bridged AlOZr catalyst. This is due to an unfavorable six‐membered‐ring transition state, in which the methyl group bridges the metal and ethene with an obtuse metal‐Me‐C angle that prevents synchronized bond‐breaking and making. A more‐likely pathway is dissociation of the Al‐O‐Zr complex into an aluminate and the active polymerization catalyst [Cp*₂ZrMe]⁺.     

Spektroskopische Untersuchungen zu Substituenteneffekten in Silylmethylsilanen

Spectroscopic Investigations on Substituent Effects in Silylmethylsilanes The silanes Me_3?n(Me₃SiCH₂)_nSiH (n = 1–3), (RMe₂SiCH₂)₃SiH (R = n-Bu, n-Pr, Et, PhCH₂, Ph) and Me₃ElCH₂SiMe₂H (El = Ge, Sn) were prepared. The frequencies of the Si? H stretching vibration, the ²⁹Si? ¹H coupling constants and the ²⁹Si n.m.r. chemical shifts were measured. The ?(SiH) and J(²⁹Si? ¹H) values in the silanes Me_3?n(Me₃SiCH₂)_nSiH depend on the number of trimethylsilymethyl groups. There is hardly an influence of the substituents R on these values in the silanes (RMe₂SiCH₂)₃SiH. The frequencies of the Si? H stretching vibrations in the silanes Me₃ElCH₂SiMe₂H (El = Si, Ge, Sn) show the order Si?Ge > Sn. The ₂₉Si n.m.r. chemical shifts of the Si(H) signals are approximately equal in the silanes Me_3?n(Me₃SiCH₂)_nSiH and (RMe₂SiCH₂)₃SiH.     

On Silylated Oxonium and Sulfonium Ions and Their Interaction with Weakly Coordinating Borate Anions

Attempts have been made to prepare salts with the labile tris(trimethylsilyl)chalconium ions, [(Me₃Si)₃E]⁺ (E=O, S), by reacting [Me₃Si-H-SiMe₃][B(C₆F₅)₄] and Me₃Si[CB] (CB⁻=carborate=[CHB₁₁H₅Cl₆]⁻, [CHB₁₁Cl₁₁]⁻) with Me₃Si-E-SiMe₃. In the reaction of Me₃Si-O-SiMe₃ with [Me₃Si-H-SiMe₃][B(C₆F₅)₄], a ligand exchange was observed in the [Me₃Si-H-SiMe₃]⁺ cation leading to the surprising formation of the persilylated [(Me₃Si)₂(Me₂(H)Si)O]⁺ oxonium ion in a formal [Me₂(H)Si]⁺ instead of the desired [Me₃Si]⁺ transfer reaction. In contrast, the expected homoleptic persilylated [(Me₃Si)₃S]⁺ ion was formed and isolated as [B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ and [CB]⁻ salt, when Me₃Si-S-SiMe₃ was treated with either [Me₃Si-H-SiMe₃][B(C₆F₅)₄] or Me₃Si[CB]. However, the addition of Me₃Si[CB] to Me₃Si-O-SiMe₃ unexpectedly led to the release of Me₄Si with simultaneous formation of a cyclic dioxonium dication of the type [Me₃Si-μO-SiMe₂]₂[CB]₂ in an anion-mediated reaction. DFT studies on structure, bonding and thermodynamics of the [(Me₃Si)₃E]⁺ and [(Me₃Si)₂(Me₂(H)Si)E]⁺ ion formation are presented as well as mechanistic investigations on the template-driven transformation of the [(Me₃Si)₃E]⁺ ion into a cyclic dichalconium dication [Me₃Si-μE-SiMe₂]₂²⁺.     

Trapping a Silicon(I) Radical with Carbenes: A Cationic cAAC–Silicon(I) Radical and an NHC–Parent‐Silyliumylidene Cation

The trapping of a silicon(I) radical with N‐heterocyclic carbenes is described. The reaction of the cyclic (alkyl)(amino) carbene [cAAC_Me] (cAAC_Me=:C(CMe₂)₂(CH₂)NAr, Ar=2,6‐i Pr₂C₆H₃) with H₂SiI₂ in a 3:1 molar ratio in DME afforded a mixture of the separated ion pair [(cAAC_Me)₂Si:^.]⁺I⁻ ( 1 ), which features a cationic cAAC–silicon(I) radical, and [cAAC_Me−H]⁺I⁻. In addition, the reaction of the NHC–iodosilicon(I) dimer [I_Ar(I)Si:]₂ (I_Ar=:C{N(Ar)CH}₂) with 4 equiv of I_Me (:C{N(Me)CMe}₂), which proceeded through the formation of a silicon(I) radical intermediate, afforded [(I_Me)₂SiH]⁺I⁻ ( 2 ) comprising the first NHC–parent‐silyliumylidene cation. Its further reaction with fluorobenzene afforded the C_Ar−H bond activation product [1‐F‐2‐I_Me‐C₆H₄]⁺I⁻ ( 3 ). The isolation of 2 and 3 confirmed the reaction mechanism for the formation of 1 . Compounds 1 – 3 were analyzed by EPR and NMR spectroscopy, DFT calculations, and X‐ray crystallography.     

Reversible Dihydrogen Activation by Reduced Aryl Boranes as Main‐Group Ambiphiles

A new approach to main‐group H₂ activation combining concepts of transition‐metal and frustrated Lewis pair chemistry is reported. Ambiphilic, metal‐like reactivity toward H₂ can be conferred to 9,10‐dihydro‐9,10‐diboraanthracene (DBA) acceptors by the injection of two electrons. The resulting [DBA]^2? ions cleave the H?H bond with the formation of hydridoborates under moderate conditions (T=50–100 °C; p<1 atm). Depending on the boron‐bonded substituents R, the addition is either reversible (R=C≡CtBu) or irreversible (R=H). The reaction rate is strongly influenced by the nature and the coordination behavior of the countercation (Li⁺ slower than K⁺). Quantum‐chemical calculations support the experimental observations and suggest a concerted, homolytic addition of H₂ across both boron atoms. As proven by the successful conversion of Me₃SiCl into Me₃SiH, the system Li₂[DBA]/H₂ appears generally relevant for the hydrogenation of element–halide bonds.     

Multiple Reaction Pathways in Rhodium‐Catalyzed Hydrosilylations of Ketones

A detailed density functional theory (DFT) computational study (using the BP86/SV(P) and B3LYP/TZVP//BP86/SV(P) level of theory) of the rhodium‐catalyzed hydrosilylation of ketones has shown three mechanistic pathways to be viable. They all involve the generation of a cationic complex [L_nRh^I]⁺ stabilized by the coordination of two ketone molecules and the subsequent oxidative addition of the silane, which results in the Rh–silyl intermediates [L_nRh^III(H)SiHMe₂]⁺. However, they differ in the following reaction steps: in two of them, insertion of the ketone into the Rh? Si bond occurs, as previously proposed by Ojima et al., or into the Si? H bond, as proposed by Chan et al. for dihydrosilanes. The latter in particular is characterized by a very high activation barrier associated with the insertion of the ketone into the Si? H bond, thereby making a new, third mechanistic pathway that involves the formation of a silylene intermediate more likely. This “silylene mechanism” was found to have the lowest activation barrier for the rate‐determining step, the migration of a rhodium‐bonded hydride to the ketone that is coordinated to the silylene ligand. This explains the previously reported rate enhancement for R₂SiH₂ compared to R₃SiH as well as the inverse kinetic isotope effect (KIE) observed experimentally for the overall catalytic cycle because deuterium prefers to be located in the stronger bond, that is, C? D versus M? D.     

Synthesis of graft copolymer by ATRP of MMA from poly(phenylacetylene)

The present report describes the synthesis of a densely grafted copolymer consisting of a rigid main chain and flexible side chains by the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) from an ATRP initiator‐bearing poly(phenylacetylene) [poly(BrPA)]. Poly(BrPA) was obtained by the polymerization of 4‐ethynylbenzyl‐2‐bromoisobutyrate using [Rh(NBD)Cl]₂ in the presence of Et₃N. The ¹H NMR spectrum showed that poly(BrPA) was in the cis‐transoid form. Upon heating at 30 °C for 24 h the cis‐transoid form was maintained. ATRP of MMA from the poly(BrPA) was carried out at 30 °C using CuX (X = Br, Cl) as the catalyst and N,N,N′,N′,N′‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine as the ligand, and the resulting graft copolymers were investigated with ¹H NMR and SEC. To analyze the graft structure in more detail, the graft copolymers were hydrolyzed with KOH and the resultant poly(MMA) part was investigated with ¹H NMR and SEC. The polydispersity indexes of 1.25–1.45 indicated that the graft copolymers have well‐controlled side chains. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6697–6707, 2006     

Anionic polymerization of MMA and renewable methylene butyrolactones by resorbable potassium salts

Three resorbable potassium salts of hydride (K[H]), enolate Me₂C?C(OⁱPr)OK (K[E]), and allyl K[1,3‐(SiMe₃)₂C₃H₃] (K[A]) have been investigated for controlled anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and its cyclic analogs, naturally renewable methylene butyrolactones including α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactone (MBL) and γ‐methyl‐α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactone (MMBL). When used alone at ambient temperature in toluene, these salts exhibit no (K[H]) to low (K[A]) to modest (K[E]) polymerization activity. Mixing of K[H] and Al(C₆F₅)₃ leads to the formation of an “ate” complex, K⁺[HAl(C₆F₅)₃]^?, which has been structurally characterized by X‐ray diffraction; this complex has a high polymerization activity producing atactic PMMA, but addition of another equiv of Al(C₆F₅)₃ further enhances both the rate and the efficiency of the polymerization, now producing syndiotactic PMMA with a narrow molecular weight (MW) distribution of 1.04. The K[H]/2Al(C₆F₅)₃ system also exhibits high activity for polymerization of (M)MBL. In sharp contrast, addition of Al(C₆F₅)₃ to K[A] shuts down the polymerization at various temperatures. The most active, controlled, and syndioselective polymerization system in this series is K[E]/2Al(C₆F₅)₃. Accordingly, the polymerization control and kinetics of this most effective system have been examined in more detail. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011