α‐keto‐β‐diimine nickel‐catalyzed olefin polymerization: Effect of ortho‐aryl substituents and preparation of stereoblock copolymers

A series of α‐keto‐β‐diimine nickel complexes (Ar‐N = C(CH₃)‐C(O)‐C(CH₃)=N‐Ar)NiBr₂; Ar = 2,6‐R‐C₆H₃‐, R = Me, Et, iPr, and Ar = 2,4,6‐Me₃‐C₆H₃‐) was prepared. All corresponding ligands are unstable even under an inert atmosphere and in a freezer. Stable copper complex intermediates of ligand synthesis and ethyl substituted nickel complex were isolated and characterized by X‐ray. All nickel complexes were used for the polymerization of ethene, propylene, and hex‐1‐ene to investigate their livingness and the extent of chain‐walking. Low‐temperature propene polymerization with less bulky ortho‐substituents was less isospecific than the one with isopropyl derivative. Propene stereoblock copolymers were prepared by iPr derivative combining the polymerization at low temperature to prepare isotactic polypropylene (PP) block and at a higher temperature, supporting chain‐walking, to obtain amorphous regioirregular PP block. Alternatively, a copolymerization of propene with ethene was used for the preparation of amorphous block. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 2440–2449     

Activity and stability spontaneously enhanced toward ethylene polymerization by employing 2‐(1‐(2,4‐dibenzhydrylnaphthylimino)ethyl)‐6‐(1‐(arylimino)ethyl) pyridyliron(II) dichlorides

A series of 2‐(1‐(2,4‐dibenzhydrylnaphthylimino)ethyl)‐6‐(1‐(arylimino)ethyl)pyridyliron(II) complexes ( Fe1 ? Fe5 ) was synthesized and characterized. The molecular structure of the representative Fe2 was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, revealing a distorted pseudo‐square‐pyramidal geometry around the iron center. On activation with either methylaluminoxane (MAO) or modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), all these iron complex precatalysts performed with high activities (up to 1.58 × 10⁷ g (PE) mol^?1 (Fe) h^?1) toward ethylene polymerization, producing highly linear polyethylenes with high molecular weight and bimodal distribution, which was in accordance with high temperature ¹³C NMR, high T _m values (T _m ～130 °C) and the GPC curves of the obtained polyethylenes. Meanwhile, DFT calculation results also showed the good correlation between net charges on iron and experimental activities. Compared with previous bis(imino)pyridyliron analogues, the current iron complexes containing the benzhydrylnaphthyl groups exhibited relatively higher activities and better thermal‐stability at elevated temperatures, especially at 80 °C as the industrial operating temperature, and still showed high activities toward ethylene polymerization up to 8.57 × 10⁶ g (PE) mol^?1 (Fe) h^?1 in the presence of co‐catalyst MMAO. In addition, these iron complex precatalysts all exhibited long lifetimes. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55 , 988–996     

Thermo‐stable 2‐(arylimino)benzylidene‐9‐arylimino‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro cyclohepta[b]pyridyliron(II) precatalysts toward ethylene polymerization and highly linear polyethylenes

A series of 2‐(arylimino)benzylidene‐9‐arylimino‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydrocyclohepta[b] pyridyliron(II) chlorides was synthesized and characterized using FT‐IR and elemental analysis, and the molecular structures of complexes Fe3 and Fe4 have been confirmed by the single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction as a pseudo‐square‐pyramidal or distorted trigonal‐bipyramidal geometry around the iron core. On activation with methylaluminoxane (MAO) or modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), all iron precatalysts exhibited high activities toward ethylene polymerization with a marvelous thermo‐stability and long lifetime. The Fe4 /MAO system showed highest activity of 1.56 × 10⁷ gPE·mol^?1(Fe)·h^?1 at 70 °C, which is one of the highest activities toward ethylene polymerization by iron precatalysts. Even up to 80 °C, Fe3 /MAO system still persist high activity as 6.87 × 10⁶ g(PE)·mol^?1(Fe)·h^?1, demonstrating remarkable thermal stability for industrial polymerizations (80–100 °C). This was mainly attributing to the phenyl modification of the framework of the iron precatalysts. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55 , 830–842     

Iron‐based catalysts bearing bis(imido)–pyridine ligands for the polymerization of tert‐butyl acrylate

Iron(II) dichloride complexes bearing a tridentate nitrogen donor ligand were investigated for the homopolymerization of tert‐butyl acrylate after activation with methylaluminoxane. Two new complexes were synthesized, 2,6‐bis[1‐(cyclohexylimido)ethyl]pyridine iron chloride (FeCl₂) and 2,6‐bis[1‐(isopropylimido)ethyl]pyridine FeCl₂, and the single‐crystal X‐ray structure of the latter one was determined. Turnover frequencies of the catalysts during polymerization ranged from 36 to 241 cycles/mol/h. The obtained polymers exhibited weight‐average molecular weights ranging from 24,000 to 438,500 g/mol, and the molar mass distribution varied between 1.8 and 4.3. Activity of the catalytic system and the molar mass of the polymer are influenced by the ligand structure of the complexes as well as other polymerization conditions such as monomer concentration and temperature. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1380–1389, 2003     

1‐(2,6‐dibenzhydryl‐4‐fluorophenylimino)‐2‐aryliminoacenaphthylylnickel halides highly polymerizing ethylene for the polyethylenes with high branches and molecular weights

A series of 1‐(2,6‐dibenzhydryl‐4‐fluorophenylimino)‐ 2‐aryliminoacenaphthylene derivatives ( L1–L5 ) and their halonickel complexes LNiX₂ (X = Br, Ni1–Ni5 ; X = Cl, Ni6–Ni10 ) are synthesized and well characterized. The molecular structures of representative complexes Ni2 and Ni4 are confirmed as the distorted tetrahedron geometry around nickel atom by the single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Upon activation with methylaluminoxane, all nickel complexes show high activities up to 1.49 × 10⁷ g of PE (mol of Ni)^?1 h^?1 toward ethylene polymerization, producing polyethylenes with high branches and molecular weights up to 1.62 × 10⁶ g mol^?1 as well as narrow polydispersity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 1369–1378     

Salicylaldiminato nickel(II) catalysts with 5‐halo‐3‐methoxy groups for ethylene polymerization

Two neutral salicylaldiminato methyl pyridine nickel(II) complexes were synthesized and evaluated for ethylene polymerization. Each catalyst bears a methoxy group in the 3‐position and a halogen atom in the 5‐position of the salicyl ligand, chlorine in case of catalyst 3a and bromine in 3b . Molecular structures of the catalysts were obtained by X‐ray crystallography. The resulting polymerization activities, for example, indicated by a maximum turnover frequency of 4,870 mol ethylene/(mol Ni × h) for 1‐h runs obtained with 3a , were higher than those of similar catalysts at comparable conditions reported in the literature. Catalyst 3a was slightly more active than catalyst 3b . The polymers are branched as measured by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. This was also reflected in the melting temperatures between 76 and 113 °C obtained by differential scanning calorimetry. By using gel permeation chromatography measurements, it was determined that the M_w of the polymers ranges between about 5,400 and 21,600 g/mol. In particular, the effect of the polymerization temperature on the catalyst activity, degree of branching, and molecular weight properties has been described. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Norbornene/n‐Butyl methacrylate copolymerization over α‐Diimine nickel and palladium catalysts supported on multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The covalently immobilized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) supported three‐dimensional geometry α‐diimine nickel, palladium catalysts are prepared by corresponding α‐diimine nickel, palladium complexes and activated MWNTs. The molecular structures of the catalysts have been confirmed by X‐ray single‐crystal analyses, NMR and XPS, as well as elemental analysis. Compared with nickel, palladium catalysts without modification and physical mixing of nickel, palladium catalysts with MWNTs, the MWNTs supported nickel, palladium catalysts show improved activity and productivity in norbornene homopolymerization and copolymerization with polar monomer. The morphology of the resulting polymers obtained from MWNTs‐supported nickel(II) complex reveals that the MWNTs are dispersed uniformly in polymer and wrapped by polymers to squeeze out of spherical particles, leading to the enhanced processability and mechanical properties. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 3213–3220     

A 3‐Pyridyl‐5,15‐Diazaporphyrin Nickel(II) Complex as a Bidentate Metalloligand for Transition Metals

3‐Pyridyl‐5,15‐diazaporphyrin nickel(II) serves as a bidentate metalloligand for platinum(II), ruthenium(II), and rhenium(I) metal centers. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis of these metal complexes unambiguously reveals the presence of a dative bond between the outer metal center and the meso‐nitrogen atom. The UV/Vis absorption spectra of the complexes show substantially red‐shifted bands which are perturbed by outer‐metal coordination. This is due to the contribution of metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer interactions.     

Synthesis and conjugation of a triiodohydroxylamine for the preparation of highly X‐ray opaque poly(ε‐caprolactone) materials

To address a need for highly X‐ray opaque biodegradable materials, a series of poly(ε‐caprolactone) derivatives were prepared using oxime post‐polymerization modification to conjugate two different iodinated hydroxylamines. These materials were synthesized with up to 32 wt. % iodine content and demonstrated improved X‐ray contrast relative to both the ketone precursors and previously reported monoiodinated materials. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 787–793     

Microwave‐assisted graft polymerization of ε‐caprolactone onto magnetite

The graft polymerization of ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) onto magnetite was carried out under microwave irradiation in the presence of tin(II) 2‐ethylhexanoate. The molar ratio of ε‐CL to tin(II) 2‐ethylhexanoate was 300, whereas the molar ratio of ε‐CL to magnetite was 5. The chemical structures of the obtained poly(ε‐caprolactone) coated magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by FTIR and XPS spectroscopy. These magnetic‐polymer hybrid nanostructures were further investigated by X‐ray diffraction and magnetization measurements. The morphology of the magnetic core‐shell nanostructures were determined by TEM. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 5397–5404, 2009     

Synthesis,characterization and 1,3‐butadiene polymerization behaviors of cobalt complexes bearing 2‐pyrazolyl‐substituted 1,10‐phenanthroline ligands

A series of cobalt(II) complexes containing tridentate 2‐pyrazolyl‐substituted 1,10‐phenanthroline ligands (L) with the general formula [LCoCl₂] have been successfully synthesized and fully identified by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and mass spectroscopy. Cobalt complexes Co4–Co8 were further confirmed by X‐ray crystallographic analysis, and all the complexes adopted distorted trigonal pyramid geometries around the cobalt center. In combination with methylaluminoxane, the complexes exhibit high cis‐1,4‐selectivity for 1,3‐butadiene polymerization. The catalytic activities of the complexes mainly depend on the nature of the substituent and its position at the pyrazolyl ring of the ligand. Complexes having a bulkier substituent on the pyrazolyl ring of the ligand show lower catalytic activity and the incorporation of electron‐withdrawing substituent enhances the activity. Polymerization behaviors were almost not affected with varying [Al]/[Co] ratio, but both activity and the cis‐1,4 content decrease slightly as polymerization temperature increasing. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and characterization of metal complexes of azo dye based on 5‐nitro‐8‐hydroxyquinoline and their applications in dyeing polyester fabrics

New Mn(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes of an azo dye ligand based on p ‐phenylenediamine with 5‐nitro‐8‐hydroxyquinoline were synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, inductive coupled plasma analysis, molar conductance, powder X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, magnetic moment measurements, and infrared, ¹H NMR, electron ionization mass and UV–visible spectral studies. The spectral and analytical data reveal that the azo dye ligand acts as a monobasic bidentate ligand via deprotonated OH and nitrogen atom of the quinoline ring. The data support the formulation of all complexes with a 2:1 ligand‐to‐metal ratio, except the Mn(II) complex that has a mononuclear formula. All complexes have an octahedral structure. The molar conductance data reveal that all the metal complexes are non‐electrolytic in nature. From the X‐ray data, the average particle size of the ligand and its complexes is 0.32–0.64 nm. The colour fastness to light, washing, perspiration, sublimation and rubbing of the prepared ligand and its complexes on polyester fabrics and colorimetric properties were measured. The results reveal that the ligand and its complexes have a good to moderate affinity to polyester fibres.     

Vinyl‐type polymerization of norbornene by nickel(II) bisbenzimidazole catalysts

Novel nickel(II) bisbenzimidazole complexes were prepared via a three‐step synthetic procedure consisting of aniline/diacid condensation, ligand N‐alkylation, and metal complexation. The complexes were characterized by X‐ray crystallography and found to possess a pseudotetrahedral geometry. Upon activation with methylaluminoxane, these nickel bisbenzimidazoles did not polymerize simple olefins (e.g., ethylene, propylene, and 1‐butene) but were found to carry out the rapid and efficient polymerization of norbornene. The polynorbornene products were characterized by gel permeation chromatography/light scattering, ¹³C NMR, and IR, and their Mark–Houwink and dn/dc parameters were determined. The molecular weights of the polynorbornenes were very high (weight‐average molecular weight = 587,000–797,000 g/mol). ¹³C NMR suggested that the polymerization occurred via vinyl addition (i.e., a 2,3‐linked polymer); no ring‐opened product was observed. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the polynorbornenes were stable up to 400 °C under nitrogen. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2095–2106, 2003     

α‐Diamine Nickel Catalysts with Nonplanar Chelate Rings for Ethylene Polymerization

A series of novel α‐diamine nickel complexes, (ArNH‐C(Me)‐(Me)C‐NHAr)NiBr₂, 1 : Ar=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl, 2 : Ar=2,6‐dimethylphenyl, 3 : Ar=phenyl), have been synthesized and characterized. X‐ray crystallographic analysis showed that the coordination geometry of the α‐diamine nickel complexes is markedly different from conventional α‐diimine nickel complexes, and that the chelate ring (N‐C‐C‐N‐Ni) of the α‐diamine nickel complex is significantly distorted. The α‐diamine nickel catalysts also display different steric effects on ethylene polymerization in comparison to the α‐diimine nickel catalyst. Increasing the steric hindrance of the α‐diamine ligand by substitution of the o‐methyl groups with o‐isopropyl groups leads to decreased polymerization activity and molecular weight; however, catalyst thermal stability is significantly enhanced. Living polymerizations of ethylene can be successfully achieved using 1 /Et₂AlCl at 35 °C or 2 /Et₂AlCl at 0 °C. The bulky α‐diamine nickel catalyst 1 with isopropyl substituents can additionally be used to control the branching topology of the obtained polyethylene at the same level of branching density by tuning the reaction temperature and ethylene pressure.     

Wasserstoffbrücken in 1,1‐Bis(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐3‐benzoylthioharnstoff und seinen Nickel(II)‐ und Kupfer(II)‐Chelat‐Komplexen

Hydrogen Bonds in 1,1‐Bis(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐3‐benzoylthiourea and its Nickel(II)‐ and Copper(II)‐Chelate Complexes The ligand 1,1‐bis(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐3‐benzoylthiourea HL, ( 1 ), yields with nickel(II) and copper(II) ions neutral complexes [NiL₂], ( 2 ), and [CuL₂], ( 3 ). By X‐ray structure analysis and IR spectroscopy different intramolecular hydrogen bonds (OH…O) and (OH…N) could be identified in both equally coordinated ligands of the [NiL₂] molecule. For comparison X‐ray and IR data were also estimated for 1 and 3 .     

1‐(2‐Hydroxyethyl)‐3‐nitro‐1, 2, 4‐triazole and its Complexes with Copper(II) Chloride and Copper(II) Perchlorate

1‐(2‐Hydroxyethyl)‐3‐nitro‐1, 2, 4‐triazole (hnt), prepared by alkylation of 3‐nitro‐1, 2, 4‐triazole with 2‐chloroethanol, was found to react with copper(II) chloride and copper(II) perchlorate in acetonitrile/ethanol solutions giving complexes [Cu₂(hnt)₂Cl₄(H₂O)₂] and[Cu(hnt)₂(H₂O)₃](ClO₄)₂, respectively. They are the first examples of coordination compounds with a neutral N‐substituted 3‐nitro‐1, 2, 4‐triazole ligand. 1‐(2‐Hydroxyethyl)‐3‐nitro‐1, 2, 4‐triazole and the obtained complexes were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, X‐ray, and thermal analyses. [Cu₂(hnt)₂Cl₄(H₂O)₂] presents a dinuclear chlorido‐bridged complex in which hnt acts as a chelating bidentate ligand, coordinated to the metal by a nitrogen atom of the triazole ring and an oxygen atom of the nitro group, and the copper atoms are inconsiderably distorted octahedral coordination. [Cu(hnt)₂(H₂O)₃](ClO₄)₂comprises a mononuclear complex cation, in which two nitrogen atoms of two hnt ligands in trans configuration and three water oxygen atoms form a square pyramidal environment around the copper atom, which is completed to an distorted octahedron with a bifurcated vertex due to two additional elongated Cu–O bonds with two nitro groups. In both complexes, Cu–O bonds with the nitro groups may be considered as semi‐coordinated.     

Synthesen und Strukturen von Bis(4,4′‐t‐butyl‐2,2′‐bipyridin)‐Ruthenium(II)‐Komplexen mit funktionellen Derivaten des Tetramethyl‐bibenzimidazols

Syntheses and Structures of Bis(4,4′‐t‐butyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine) Ruthenium(II) Complexes with functional Derivatives of Tetramethyl‐bibenzimidazole [(tbbpy)₂RuCl₂] reacts with dinitro‐tetramethylbibenzimidazole ( A ) in DMF to form the complex [(tbbpy)₂Ru( A )](PF₆)₂ ( 1a ) (tbbpy: bis(4,4′‐t‐butyl)‐2,2′bipyridine). Exchange of the two PF₆^? anions by a mixture of tetrafluor‐terephthalat/tetrafluor‐terephthalic acid results in the formation of 1b in which an extended hydrogen‐bonded network is formed. According to the ¹H NMR spectra and X‐ray analyses of both 1a and 1b , the two nitro groups of the bibenzimidazole ligand are situated at the periphery of the complex in cis position to each other. Reduction of the nitro groups in 1a with SnCl₂/HCl results in the corresponding diamino complex 2 which is a useful starting product for further functionalization reactions. Substitution of the two amino groups in 2 by bromide or iodide via Sandmeyer reaction results in the crystalline complexes [(tbbpy)₂Ru( C )](PF₆)₂ and [(tbbpy)₂Ru( D )](PF₆)₂ ( C : dibromo‐tetrabibenzimidazole, D : diiodo‐tetrabibenzimidazole). Furthermore, 2 readily reacts with 4‐t‐butyl‐salicylaldehyde or pyridine‐2‐carbaldehyde under formation of the corresponding Schiff base Ru^II complexes 5 and 6 . ¹H NMR spectra show that the substituents (NH₂, Br, I, azomethines) in 2 ‐ 6 are also situated in peripheral positions, cis to each other. The solid state structure of both 2 , and 3 , determined by X‐ray analyses confirm this structure. In addition, the X‐ray diffraction analyses of single crystals of the complexes [(tri‐t‐butyl‐terpy)(Cl)Ru( A )] ( 7 ) and [( A )PtCl₂] ( 8 ) display also that the nitro groups in these complexes are in a cis‐arrangement.     

Producing highly linear polyethylenes by using t‐butyl‐functionalized 2,6‐bis(imino)pyridylchromium(III) chlorides

A new family of t‐butyl substituted chromium(III) chloride complexes ( Cr1 – Cr6 ), bearing 2‐(1‐(2,6‐dibenzhydryl‐4‐t‐butylphenylimino)ethyl)‐6‐(1‐(arylimino)ethyl)pyridine (aryl = 2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃ Cr1 , 2,6‐Et₂C₆H₃ Cr2 , 2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃ Cr3 , 2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂ Cr4 and 2,6‐Et₂‐4‐MeC₆H₂ Cr5 ) or 2,6‐bis(1‐(2,6‐dibenzhydryl‐4‐t‐butylphenylimino)ethyl)pyridine ( Cr6 ), has been synthesized by the reaction of CrCl₃·6H₂O in good yield with the corresponding ligands ( L1 – L6 ), respectively. The molecular structures of Cr2 and Cr6 were characterized by X‐ray diffraction highlighted a distorted octahedral geometry with the coordinated N,N,N ligand and three bonded chlorides around the metal center. On activation with modified methylaluminoxane or triisobutyl aluminum, most of the chromium precatalysts exhibit good activities toward ethylene polymerization and produce linear polyethylenes with high‐molecular weight. In addition, an in‐depth catalytic evaluation of Cr2 was conducted to investigate how cocatalyst type and amount, reaction temperature, and run time affect the catalytic activities and polymer properties. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 1049–1058     

Mitigating chain‐transfer and enhancing the thermal stability of co‐based olefin polymerization catalysts through sterically demanding ligands

Sterically demanding Fe‐ and Co‐based olefin polymerization catalysts 2‐Fe and 2‐Co bearing 2,6‐bis(biphenylmethyl)‐4‐methylaniline substituted bis(imino)pyridine ligands were synthesized and evaluated for ethylene polymerization. The late‐transition metal complexes were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, and HRMS, while their resultant polymers were characterized by size‐exclusion chromatography and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. While catalyst 2‐Fe was inactive, catalyst 2‐Co was found to polymerize ethylene and avoid any detectable chain‐transfer to aluminum events that are known to plague other Fe‐ and Co‐based catalyst systems and to limit molecular weight. Furthermore, 2‐Co displays virtually perfect thermal stability up to 80 °C and shows greatly enhanced thermal stability at 90 °C as compared to previously reported analogues. These observations are attributed to the extreme steric demand imposed by the ligand which mitigates catalyst transfer, deactivation, and decomposition reactions. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 3990–3995     

Chiral arylnickel complexes as highly active initiators for screw‐sense selective living polymerization of 1,2‐diisocyanobenzenes

Optically active chiral organonickel complexes served as efficient chiral initiators for living aromatizing polymerization of 1,2‐diisocyanobenzene derivatives, which afford optically active helical poly(quinoxaline‐2,3‐diyl)s up to 84% s.e. (screw‐sense excess). In comparison with asymmetric polymerization with the corresponding organopalladium initiators, the nickel initiators show a much greater polymerization rate, while the selectivity remains high. The organonickel initiators can be generated in situ from nickel(0) precursors with the corresponding enantiopure (S,S)‐2‐(4,5‐diphenylimidazolin‐2‐yl)phenyl chloride, leading to the convenient synthesis of highly stereo‐controlled poly(quinoxaline‐2,3‐diyl)s. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 898–904, 2010