Chromium complexes supported by phenanthrene-imine derivative ligands: synthesis, characterization and catalysis on isoprene cis-1,4 polymerization

Reactions of CrCl(2)(THF)(2) with N-aryl-9,10-iminophenanthraquinone in CH(2)Cl(2) give the monoimine chromium complexes (Ar)IPQCrCl(2)(THF)(2) (1, Ar = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3); 2, Ar = 2,6-Et(2)C(6)H(3); 3, Ar = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)). Molecular structures of 1 and 3 were revealed to be monomeric with the chromium atoms in distorted octahedral geometries. Similar reactions of CrCl(2)(THF)(2) with N,N-bis(arylimino)phenanthrene ligands afford the diimine complexes (Ar1,Ar2)BIPCrCl(μ-Cl)(3)Cr(THF)(Ar1,Ar2)BIP (4, Ar(1) = Ar(2) = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3); 5, Ar(1) = Ar(2) = 2,6-Et(2)C(6)H(3); 6, Ar(1) = Ar(2) = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3); 7, Ar(1) = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3), Ar(2) = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)). The X-ray diffraction analysis shows that 4, 5, and 7 are chlorine-bridged dimers with each chromium atom in a distorted octahedral geometry. Upon activation with MAO, all these complexes exhibit good catalytic activities for isoprene polymerization affording polyisoprene with predominantly a cis-1,4 unit.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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

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

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).     

Mono(amidinate) rare earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes: Synthesis,structure and their activity for l-lactide polymerization

Alkane elimination reaction between Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ (Ln = Y, Lu) with one equivalent of the amidines with different steric demanding HL ([CyC(N-2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)₂]H (HL₁), [CyC(N-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)₂]H (HL₂), [PhC(N-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)₂]H (HL₃)) in THF afforded a series of mono(amidinate) rare earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes [CyC(N-2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)₂]Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF) (Ln = Y (1), Lu (3)), [CyC(N-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)₂]Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF)₂ (Ln = Y (4), Lu (6)), and [PhC(N-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)₂]Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF)₂ (7) in 75–89% isolated yields. For the early lanthanide metal Nd, THF slurry of NdCl₃ was stirred with three equiv of LiCH₂SiMe₃ in THF, followed by addition of one equiv of the amidines HL₁ or HL₂ gave an “ate” complex [CyC(N-2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)₂]Nd(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(μ-Cl)Li(THF)₃ (2) in 48% yield and a neutral [CyC(N-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)₂]Nd(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF)₂ (5) in 52% yield, respectively. They were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR spectroscopy (except for 2 and 5 for their strong paramagnetic property). Complexes 2, 3, 4 and 5 were subjected to X-ray single crystal structure determination. These neutral mono(amidinate) rare earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes showed activity towards l-lactide polymerization to give high molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution polymers.     

Group 4 complexes bearing bis(salphen) ligands: Synthesis,characterization, and polymerization studies

Six different complexes containing bis(salphen) [salphen = N,N'‐phenylenebis(salicylideneimine)] ligands were synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and elemental analysis. In the presence of benzyl alcohol as an initiator, all the complexes catalyze the ring‐opening polymerization of lactide and ε‐caprolactone, generating high molecular weight (M_n) polymers in a controlled fashion. The linear relationship between the % conversion and M_n proved the control over the polymerization process. The presence of OBn group as an end group was confirmed by MALDI‐TOF and ¹H NMR spectral analysis of low M_n oligomers. The polymerization followed first‐order kinetics as revealed by kinetic experiments. All the complexes were good precatalysts for the polymerization of ethylene. The effect of temperature and time on the yield and activity toward the polymerization of ethylene were widely investigated. In addition, in the presence of tetrabutylammonium bromide as cocatalyst, the formation of degradable polycarbonate with moderate M_n value and narrow molecular weight distributions was observed by the copolymerization of cyclohexene oxide with CO₂. The effect of initiator structure, temperature, CO₂ pressure, catalyst/cocatalyst loading on the activity, and selectivity toward copolymerization were systematically examined. The thermal properties of the copolymer synthesized were explored using differential scanning calorimetric and thermogravimetric analysis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 809–824     

Synthesis and structural studies of some titanium and zirconium complexes with chiral bis(amide), amidinate or bis(amidinate) ligands

Reaction of bis(amide) sodium Na₂[(1R,2R)-(−)-1,2-(NSiMe₃)₂-C₆H₁₀] (Na₂[L¹]) with Ti(OiPr)₂Cl₂ in different conditions gave mixed-ligand complexes [Ti(OiPr)Cl][L¹] (1) or [Ti(OiPr)₂Cl]₂[L¹] (2); 2 is a dinuclear titanium example in which Ti atoms are bridged by nitrogen and oxygen atoms simultaneously forming a distorted rhombic core. Reaction of the amine-amidinate ligand (1R,2R)-(−)-1-Li[NC(Ph)N(SiMe₃)]-2-(NHSiMe₃)-C₆H₁₀(Li[L²]) or rarely linked bis(amidinate) ligand Li₂[(1R,2R)-(−)-1,2-{NC(Ph)N(SiMe₃)}₂-C₆H₁₀](Li₂[L³]) with ZrCl₄ yielded the unbridged and bridged bis(amidinate) complexes ZrCl₂[L²]₂ (3) and [ZrCl₂(THF)][L³] (4), respectively; Moreover, the reaction of (1R,2R)-(−)-1-Li[NC(Ph)N(SiMe₃)]-2-Li(NSiMe₃)C₆H₁₀(Li₂[L²]) with Ti(OiPr)₂Cl₂ gave a new type of tridentate amido-amidinate product [Ti(OiPr)₂][L²] (6), which is a distinct model compared to [Ti(OiPr)₂Cl][L²] (5) yielded from Li[L²]. All the products have been characterized by X-ray crystallography and the structural studies are presented detailedly comparing with relevant compounds.     

α-二亚胺钴配合物催化1,3-丁二烯高活性与高顺式-1,4选择性聚合

合成了一系列α-二亚胺钴配合物[ArN=C(Me)-(Me)C=NAr]CoCl₂(Ar=C₆H₅, 3a; 4-MeC₆H₄, 3b; 4-MeOC₆H₄, 3c; 4-FC₆H₄, 3d; 4-ClC₆H₄, 3e; 2-MeC₆H₄, 3f; 2-EtC₆H₄, 3g; 2-ⁱPrC₆H₄, 3h; 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂, 3i; 2,6-Et₂C₆H₃, 3j; 2,6-ⁱPrC₆H₃, 3k)和作为对比的吡啶双亚胺二氯化钴配合物(4a), 并用X射线单晶衍射方法研究了配合物3i, 3k和4a的分子结构. α-二亚胺钴配合物在倍半乙基氯化铝的作用下对丁二烯聚合有较高的催化活性,得到的顺式-1,4结构含量达98%,且有较高分子量(M_n≈1×10⁴-1×10⁵)的聚丁二烯. 配体的电子效应影响催化剂的活性及顺式-1,4选择性, 而配体的空间位阻对丁二烯聚合几乎没有影响. 详细研究了聚合时间、聚合温度、烷基铝助催化剂及铝比等条件对丁二烯聚合行为的影响.     

Synthesis and characterization of binucleating bis(amidinate) ligands and their dialuminum complexes

Two general routes to binucleating bis(amidinate) ligands based on dibenzofuran and 9,9-dimethylxanthene backbones are reported. The free-base form of one of the ligands, (Ph,Mes)L(DBF)H(2), forms a 1:1 adduct with acetone. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction of this adduct reveals bidentate H-bonding of the bis(amidine) to the ketone oxygen. Bond lengths suggest that the individual H-bonds are relatively weak, yet IR spectroscopy shows a significant -26 cm(-1) shift for the carbonyl stretch relative to free acetone. Additionally, the new dialuminum complexes (i)(Pr)L(DBF)Al(2)Me(4) (3), (i)(Pr)L(Xan)Al(2)Me(4) (4), (t)(Bu,Et)L(DBF)Al(2)Me(4) (5), and (t)(Bu,Et)L(Xan)Al(2)Me(4) (6) are prepared by reaction of Al(2)Me(6) with the bis(amidines) in toluene solution. (1)H NMR spectroscopic studies indicate that 3 and 4 interact weakly with certain Lewis bases (DMSO, DMF, pyridine) to effect the exchange of the Al-bound Me groups. Other bases, such as THF and TMEDA, fail to interact. Solid-state structures for 3 and 4 are reported.     

Highly cis-1,4 selective polymerization of dienes with homogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalysts based on NCN-pincer rare earth metal dichloride precursors

The first aryldiimine NCN-pincer ligated rare earth metal dichlorides (2,6-(2,6-C6H3R2N=CH)2-C6H3)LnCl2(THF)2 (Ln = Y, R = Me (1), Et (2), iPr (3); R = Et, Ln = La (4), Nd (5), Gd (6), Sm (7), Eu (8), Tb (9), Dy (10), Ho (11), Yb (12), Lu (13)) were successfully synthesized via transmetalation between 2,6-(2,6-C6H3-R2N=CH)2-C6H3Li and LnCl3(THF)(1-3.5). These complexes are isostructural monomers with two coordinating THF molecules, where the pincer ligand coordinates to the central metal ion in a kappaC:kappaN:kappaN' tridentate mode, adopting a meridional geometry. Complexes 1-6, 9-11, and 13 combined with aluminum tris(alkyl)s and [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] established a homogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalyst system, which exhibited high activities and excellent cis-1,4 selectivities for the polymerizations of butadiene (T(p) = 25 degrees C, 99.9%; 0 degrees C, 100%) and isoprene (T(p) = 25 degrees C, 98.8%). Remarkably, such high cis-1,4 selectivity almost remained at elevated polymerization temperatures up to 80 degrees C and did not vary with the type of the central lanthanide element, however, which was influenced obviously by the ortho substituent of the N-aryl ring of the ligands and the bulkiness of the aluminum alkyls. The Ln-Al bimetallic cations were considered as the active species. These results shed new light on improving the catalytic performance of the conventional Ziegler-Natta catalysts for the specific selective polymerization of dienes.     

A series of new zirconium complexes bearing bis(phenoxyketimine) ligands: Synthesis, characterization and ethylene polymerization

A series of new zirconium complexes bearing bis(phenoxyketimine) ligands, bis((3,5-di-tert-butyl-C₆H₂-2-O)R₁CN (2-R₂-C₆H₄))ZrCl₂ {R₁ = Me, R₂ = H (2a); R₁ = Et, R₂ = H (2b); R₁ = Ph, R₂ = H (2c); R₁ = 2-Me-Ph, R₂ = H (2d); R₁ = 2-F-Ph, R₂ = H (2e); R₁ = 2-Cl-Ph, R₂ = H (2f); R₁ = 2-Br-Ph, R₂ = H (2g); R₁ = Ph, R₂ = Me (2h); R₁ = Ph, R₂ = F (2i)}, have been prepared, characterized and tested as catalyst precursors for ethylene polymerization. Crystal structure analysis reveals that complex 2c has a six coordinate center in a distorted octahedral geometry with trans-O, cis-N, cis-Cl arrangement which possesses approximate C₂ symmetry. When activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO), complexes 2a-2i exhibited high ethylene polymerization activities of 10⁶-10⁸ g PE (mol M h)⁻¹. Compared with the bis(phenoxyimine) zirconium analogues bis((3,5-di-tert-butyl-C₆H₂-2-O)CHNC₆H₅)ZrCl₂ (3), the introduction of substituent on the carbon atom of the imine double bond enhanced the catalytic activity and molecular weight of prepared polyethylene. Especially, when the H atom at the carbon atom of the imine double bond was replaced by 2-fluoro-phenyl with strong electronic-withdrawing property, complex 2e displayed the highest catalytic activity, and the polyethylene obtained possessed the highest molecular weight and melt point.     

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).     

Mononuclear titanium compounds based on the silyl-linked bis(amidinate) ligand: synthesis, characterization and ethylene polymerization

The mononuclear silyl-linked bis(amidinate) titanium compound 2 was prepared by salt metathesis of 1 and TiCl(4)(thf)(2). Alkylation of 2 with methyllithium gave analogue 3. Both 2 and 3 exhibited a configuration similar to ansa-metallocene and showed good activity towards ethylene polymerization after activation with MAO.     

Synthesis, characterization, and lactide polymerization activity of group 4 metal complexes containing two bis(phenolate) ligands

A series of group 4 metal complexes Zr-(1)(2), Zr-(2)(2), Zr-(3)(2), Zr-(4)(2), Zr-(5)(2), Hf-(1)(2), and Hf-(4)(2) containing two bridged bis(phenolate) ligands of the (OSSO)-type were prepared by the reaction of the corresponding bis(phenol) and group 4 metal precursor MX(4) (X = O(i)Pr, CH(2)Ph) and isolated as robust, colorless crystals. NMR spectra indicate D(2) symmetry, in agreement with the solid state structure determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction study of the complexes Zr-(1)(2), Hf-(1)(2), Zr-(3)(2), Zr-(4)(2), and Zr-(5)(2). The complexes with the 1,4-dithiabutanediyl bridged ligands exhibit a highly symmetric coordination around the metal center. The introduction of the rigid trans-1,2-cyclohexanediyl bridged ligands led to a distorted coordination around the metal center in Zr-(4)(2) and Zr-(5)(2) when the ortho substituent is tert-butyl and the para substituent is larger than methyl. The complexes Zr-(1)(2), Zr-(2)(2), Zr-(3)(2), Zr-(4)(2) as well as Hf-(1)(2) and Hf-(4)(2) initiated the ring-opening polymerization of meso-lactide at 100 °C to give heterotactic polylactide with pronounced heterotacticity (>70%) and varying polydispersity (1.05 < M(w)/M(n) < 1.61). As shown by kinetic studies, zirconium complex Zr-(1)(2) polymerized meso-lactide faster than the homologous hafnium complex Hf-(1)(2).     

Oxido-bridged di-, tri-, and tetra-nuclear iron complexes bearing bis(trimethylsilyl)amide and thiolate ligands

A series of di-, tri-, and tetra-nuclear iron-oxido clusters with bis(trimethylsilyl)amide and thiolate ligands were synthesized from the reactions of Fe{N(SiMe(3))(2)}(2) (1) with 1 equiv of thiol HSR (R = C(6)H(5) (Ph), 4-(t)BuC(6)H(4), 2,6-Ph(2)C(6)H(3) (Dpp), 2,4,6-(i)Pr(3)C(6)H(2) (Tip)) and subsequent treatment with O(2). The trinuclear clusters [{(Me(3)Si)(2)N}Fe](3)(μ(3)-O){μ-S(4-RC(6)H(4))}(3) (R = H (3a), (t)Bu (3b)) were obtained from the reactions of 1 with HSPh or HS(4-(t)BuC(6)H(4)) and O(2), while we isolated a tetranuclear cluster [{(Me(3)Si)(2)N}(2)Fe(2)(μ-SDpp)](2)(μ(3)-O)(2) (4) as crystals from an analogous reaction with HSDpp. Treatment of a tertrahydrofuran (THF) solution of 1 with HSTip and O(2) resulted in the formation of a dinuclear complex [{(Me(3)Si)(2)N}(TipS)(THF)Fe](2)(μ-O) (5). The molecular structures of these complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis.     

Iron(II) cage complexes of N-heterocyclic amide and bis(trimethylsilyl)amide ligands: synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties

Metallation of hexahydropyrimidopyrimidine (hppH) by [Fe{N(SiMe(3))(2)}(2)] (1) produces the trimetallic iron(II) amide cage complex [{(Me(3)Si)(2)NFe}(2)(hpp)(4)Fe] (2), which contains three iron(II) centers, each of which resides in a distorted tetrahedral environment. An alternative, one-pot route that avoids use of the highly air-sensitive complex 1 is described for the synthesis of the iron(II)-lithium complex [{(Me(3)Si)(2)N}(2)Fe{Li(bta)}](2) (3) (where btaH = benzotriazole), in which both iron(II) centers reside in 3-coordinated pyramidal environments. The structure of 3 is also interpreted in terms of the ring laddering principle developed for alkali metal amides. Magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that both compounds display very weak antiferromagnetic exchange between the iron(II) centers, and that the iron(II) centers in 2 and 3 possess large negative axial zero-field splittings.     

Tetramethylcyclopentadienyl-supported rare-earth metal bis(tetramethyl)aluminate complexes: Synthesis,structural chemistry,cation formation,and isoprene polymerization

The protonolysis reaction of [Ln(AlMe₄)₃] with H(Cp′) (Cp′ = C₅Me₄H) gives access to half-sandwich complexes [(Cp′)Ln(AlMe₄)₂]. X-ray structure analyses of the samarium, neodymium, and lanthanum derivatives reveal a distinct [AlMe₄] coordination (one η², one bent η²) for the two smaller rare-earth metals. The lanthanum complex displays an unprecedented dimeric structure with two μ₂-η¹:η² coordinating [AlMe₄] ligands in the solid state. Treatment of complexes [(Cp′)Ln(AlMe₄)₂] with perfluorinated organoborates and -boranes produces discrete contact ion-pairs, which are characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, ²⁷Al, ¹⁹F, and ¹¹B NMR spectroscopy and act as efficient initiators for the fabrication of trans-1,4 polyisoprene. The polymerization performance is hereby affected by the rare-earth metal cation size, the type of boron cocatalyst, and the polymerization temperature.