Mechanism of the alternating copolymerization of epoxides and CO2 using beta-diiminate zinc catalysts: evidence for a bimetallic epoxide enchainment

A series of zinc beta-diiminate (BDI) complexes and their solid-state structures, solution dynamics, and copolymerization behavior with CO(2) and cyclohexene oxide (CHO) are reported. Stoichiometric reactions of the copolymerization initiation steps show that zinc alkoxide and bis(trimethylsilyl)amido complexes insert CO(2), whereas zinc acetates react with CHO. [(BDI-2)ZnOMe](2) [(BDI-2) = 2-((2,6-diethylphenyl)amido)-4-((2,6-diethylphenyl)imino)-2-pentene] and (BDI-1)ZnO(i)Pr [(BDI-1) = 2-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amido)-4-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino)-2-pentene] react with CO(2) to form [(BDI-2)Zn(mu-OMe)(mu,eta(2)-O(2)COMe)Zn(BDI-2)] and [(BDI-1)Zn(mu,eta(2)-O(2)CO(i)Pr)](2), respectively. (BDI-2)ZnN(SiMe(3))(2) inserts CO(2) and eliminates trimethylsilyl isocyanate to give [(BDI-2)Zn(mu-OSiMe(3))](2). [(BDI-7)Zn(mu-OAc)](2) [(BDI-7) = 3-cyano-2-((2,6-diethylphenyl)amido)-4-((2,6-diethylphenyl)imino)-2-pentene] reacts with 1.0 equiv of CHO to yield [(BDI-7)Zn(mu,eta(2)-OAc)(mu,eta(1)-OCyOAc)Zn(BDI-7)]. Under typical polymerization conditions, rate studies on the copolymerization exhibit no dependence in [CO(2)], a first-order dependence in [CHO], and orders in [Zn](tot) ranging from 1.0 to 1.8 for [(BDI)ZnOAc] complexes. The copolymerizations of CHO (1.98 M in toluene) and 300 psi CO(2) at 50 degrees C using [(BDI-1)ZnOAc] and [(BDI-2)ZnOAc] show orders in [Zn](tot) of 1.73 +/- 0.06 and 1.02 +/- 0.03, respectively. We propose that two zinc complexes are involved in the transition state of the epoxide ring-opening event.     

Single-site beta-diiminate zinc catalysts for the ring-opening polymerization of beta-butyrolactone and beta-valerolactone to poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates)

Polymerization of beta-butyrolactone (BBL) and beta-valerolactone (BVL) using the zinc alkoxide initiator (BDI-1)ZnO(i)()Pr [(BDI-1) = 2-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amido)-4-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino)-2-pentene] proceeds very rapidly under mild conditions to produce poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and poly(3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHV), respectively. For the monomer-to-initiator ratio 200:1, PHB number-average molecular weights (M(n)) are proportional to conversion throughout the reaction and polydispersity indices (PDIs) are narrow, consistent with a living polymerization. Higher monomer-to-initiator ratios can be used to achieve high molecular weight PHB (M(n) > 100 000). End-group analysis verifies that the polymerization of BBL follows a coordination-insertion mechanism, where complexes of the form (BDI-1)ZnOCH(Me)CH(2)CO(2)R are the active species. Variable temperature NMR experiments show that (BDI-1)ZnO(i)()Pr is monomeric in benzene-d(6) solution. In contrast, (BDI-2)ZnO(i)()Pr [(BDI-2) = 2-((2,6-diethylphenyl)amido)-4-((2,6-diethylphenyl)imino)-2-pentene] is a poor initiator at room temperature because it prefers to form a bis-mu-isopropoxide dimer in solution. According to kinetic studies, propagation by (BDI-1)ZnO(i)()Pr is first order in both monomer as well as (BDI-1)ZnO(i)()Pr concentration. These results lead us to propose a monometallic active species. Several results suggest that elimination side reactions are slowly catalyzed by zinc alkoxides, leading to degradation of the polymer.     

Polymerization of lactide with zinc and magnesium beta-diiminate complexes: stereocontrol and mechanism.

A series of zinc(II) and magnesium(II) alkoxides based upon a beta-diiminate ligand framework has been prepared. [(BDI-1)ZnO(i)Pr](2) [(BDI-1) = 2-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amido)-4-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino)-2-pentene] exhibited the highest activity and stereoselectivity of the zinc complexes studied for the polymerization of rac- and meso-lactide to poly(lactic acid) (PLA). [(BDI-1)ZnO(i)()Pr](2) polymerized (S,S)-lactide to isotactic PLA without epimerization of the monomer, rac-lactide to heterotactic PLA (P(r) = 0.94 at 0 degrees C), and meso-lactide to syndiotactic PLA (P(r) = 0.76 at 0 degrees C). The polymerizations are living, as evidenced by the narrow polydispersities of the isolated polymers in addition to the linear nature of number average molecular weight versus conversion plots and monomer-to-catalyst ratios. The substituents on the beta-diiminate ligand exert a significant influence upon the course of the polymerizations, affecting both the degree of stereoselectivity and the rate of polymerization. Kinetic studies with [(BDI-1)ZnO(i)Pr](2) indicate that the polymerizations are first order with respect to monomer (rac-lactide) and 1.56 order in catalyst. Polymerization experiments with [(BDI-1)MgO(i)Pr](2) revealed that this complex is extremely fast for the polymerization of rac-lactide, polymerizing 500 equiv in 96% yield in less than 5 min at 20 degrees C.     

Structure and reactivity of mono- and dinuclear diiminate zinc alkyl complexes

The synthesis, structure and reactivity of several diiminate ligands are presented. The syntheses of five representative β-diiminate (BDI) zinc alkyl complexes and one β-oxo-δ-diiminate (BODDI) zinc alkyl are described. BDI ligands with varying backbone and N-aryl substituents display different solid state structures. [(BDI)ZnR] are synthesized by the reaction of (BDI)H with ZnR₂ in quantitative yield. Previously reported (BDI-1)ZnEt is a three-coordinate monomer in the solid state whereas [(BDI-3)ZnEt]_∞ [(BDI-3)=2-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amido)-3-cyano-4-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino-2-pentene] and [(BDI-4)ZnEt]_∞ [(BDI-4)=2-((2,6-diethylphenyl)amido)-3-cyano-4-((2,6-diethylphenyl)imino-2-pentene] form one dimensional coordination polymers. The bimetallic complex [(BODDI-1)(ZnEt)₂] [(BODDI-1)=2,6-bis((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amido)-2,5-heptadien-4-one] is prepared through the reaction of (BODDI-1)H₂ with two equivalents ZnEt₂. Both [(BDI)ZnEt] and [(BODDI)ZnEt] complexes react with acetic acid to give the acetate complexes in moderate to high yields, offering a superior synthetic route to these complexes. [(BDI)ZnR] [BDI=(BDI-3) or 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amido)-4-((2,6-diethylphenyl)imino-2-pentene), (BDI-5)] complexes react with MeOH to produce [{(BDI)Zn(μ-OMe)}₂Zn(μ-OMe)₂] in moderate yields. The molecular structures of [(BDI-3)ZnEt], [(BDI-4)ZnEt], [(BODDI-1)(ZnEt)₂], [(BODDI-1)Zn₂(μ-OAc)₂], [{(BDI-3)Zn(μ-OMe)}₂Zn(μ-OMe)₂] and [{(BDI-5)Zn(μ-OMe)}₂Zn(μ-OMe)₂] have been determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Insertion of Ga(DDP) into the Au-Cl bond of (PPh3)AuCl: a first structurally characterized Au-Ga bond

The reaction of (PPh(3))AuCl with the low valent gallium compound Ga(DDP) (DDP = 2-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amino-4-((2,6-diiso-propylphenyl)imino)-2-pentene) yields the insertion products [{Ga(DDP)}Au{Ga(DDP)Cl}] (1) and [(PPh(3))Au{Ga(DDP)Cl}] (2), the first examples of molecular compounds with Au-Ga bonds.     

The Al(I) bisimidinate Al(DDP) as a metalloid NHC type ligand for Pd(0) complexes and clusters

Two clusters with a Pd2 core and Al(DDP) (DDP = 2-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amino)-4-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino)-2-pentene) as a bridging ligand have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal structural analysis; the results suggest a strong similarity of the coordination properties of NHC's and the group 13 analogue Al(DDP).     

Comparative study of the coordination chemistry and lactide polymerization of alkoxide and amide complexes of zinc and magnesium with a beta-diiminato ligand bearing ether substituents

A series of beta-diiminato complexes of the form (BDI-3)MX where (BDI-3) = [CH(CMeNC(6)H(4)-2-OMe)(2)]; M = Zn, Mg; X = O(i)()Pr, O(t)()Bu, or N(SiMe(3))(2) has been synthesized. The (BDI-3) ligand is bidentate in (BDI-3)ZnN(SiMe(3))(2) and tetradentate in (BDI-3)MgN(SiMe(3))(2). The alkoxide complexes are shown to be active for lactide polymerization. Polymerization of rac-lactide with (BDI-3)ZnO(i)Pr gives a moderate preference for heterotactic PLA. Polymerization of rac-lactide with [(BDI-3)MgO(t)Bu](2) shows a slight preference for heterotactic PLA in CH(2)Cl(2) but is highly stereoselective in THF in the production of heterotactic PLA.     

Bis(imino)pyridine ligand deprotonation promoted by a transient iron amide

Addition of 2 equiv of LiNMe(2) to the bis(imino)pyridine ferrous dichloride, ((i)(Pr)PDI)FeCl(2) ((i)(Pr)PDI = (2,6-(i)()Pr(2)-C(6)H(3)N=CMe)(2)C(5)H(3)N), resulted in deprotonation of the chelate methyl groups, yielding the bis(enamide)pyridine iron dimethylamine adduct, ((i)(Pr)PDEA)Fe(NHMe(2)) ((i)(Pr)PDEA = (2,6-(i)Pr(2)-C(6)H(3)NC=CH(2))(2)C(5)H(3)N). Performing a similar procedure with KN(SiMe(3))(2) in THF solution afforded the corresponding bis(THF) adduct, ((i)(Pr)PDEA)Fe(THF)(2). ((i)(Pr)PDEA)Fe(NHMe(2)) has also been prepared by addition of the free amine to the iron dialkyl complex, ((i)(Pr)PDI)Fe(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2), implicating formation of a transient iron amide that is sufficiently basic to deprotonate the bis(imino)pyridine methyl groups. Deprotonation of the amine ligand in ((i)(Pr)PDEA)Fe(NHMe(2)) has been accomplished by addition of amide bases to afford the ferrous amide-ate complexes, [((i)(Pr)PDEA)Fe(mu-NMe(2))M] (M = Li, K).     

N-heterocyclic carbene stabilized copper- and silver-phenylchalcogenolate ring complexes

The ligation of a N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) to group 11 metal salts (Cu, Ag) was explored as an alternative to PR(3) ligands for the formation of copper- and silver-chalcogenolate cluster complexes. AgOAc and CuCl salts ligate with the NHC 1,3-di-isopropylbenzimidazole-2-ylidene ((i)Pr(2)-bimy) forming [Ag(OAc)((i)Pr(2)-bimy)] 1, [Ag(OAc)((i)Pr(2)-bimy)(2)] 2, [CuCl((i)Pr(2)-bimy)](2)3 and [CuCl((i)Pr(2)-bimy)(2)] 4 depending on the ratio of ligand to metal used. These have been characterized via spectroscopic and crystallographic methods. Complexes 1 and 3 were reacted with S(Ph)SiMe(3) and Se(Ph)SiMe(3) to form the polynuclear metal-chalcogenolates [Ag(4)(μ-EPh)(4)((i)Pr(2)-bimy)(4)] (5, E = S; 6, E = Se) and [Cu(3)(μ-EPh)(3)((i)Pr(2)-bimy)(3)] (7, E = S; 8, E = Se) in good yields. The structures of 5-8, as determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography, are described.     

Insertion of the Ga(I) bis-imidinate Ga(DDP) into the metal halogen bonds of Rh(I) complexes. How electrophilic are coordinated Ga(DDP) fragments?

The reactivity of Ga(DDP) (DDP = 2-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amino-4-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino)-2-pentene) towards the rhodium-chloride bonds of [RhCl(PPh3)3] and [RhCl(COE)2]2 (COE = cyclooctene) is investigated. Reaction of the first complex leads to [(Ph3P)2Rh{Ga(DDP)}(mu-Cl)] (1), exhibiting a chloride bridging the gallium and the rhodium atoms, whereas the second complex leads to a full insertion of the Ga(DDP) ligand into the Rh-Cl bond giving [(COE)(benzene)Rh{(DDP)GaCl}] (2) on coordination of the solvent C6H6. Compounds 1 und 2 readily react with the halide abstracting reagent Tl[BArF] (BArF = B[3,5-(CF3)2C6H3]4), yet the products could not be isolated and characterized because of their lability. The Au(I) complex [{(DDP)Ga}Au{Ga(DDP)}Cl] reacts with Na[BArF] giving the linear, symmetric cationic complex [{(DDP)Ga.THF}2Au][BArF] (3.2THF), exhibiting two THF molecules coordinated to the Ga(DDP) moieties.     

Synthesis and electronic structure of cationic, neutral, and anionic bis(imino)pyridine iron alkyl complexes: evaluation of redox activity in single-component ethylene polymerization catalysts

A family of cationic, neutral, and anionic bis(imino)pyridine iron alkyl complexes has been prepared, and their electronic and molecular structures have been established by a combination of X-ray diffraction, Mo?ssbauer spectroscopy, magnetochemistry, and open-shell density functional theory. For the cationic complexes, [((iPr)PDI)Fe-R][BPh(4)] ((iPr)PDI = 2,6-(2,6-(i)Pr(2)-C(6)H(3)N═CMe)(2)C(5)H(3)N; R = CH(2)SiMe(3), CH(2)CMe(3), or CH(3)), which are known single-component ethylene polymerization catalysts, the data establish high spin ferrous compounds (S(Fe) = 2) with neutral, redox-innocent bis(imino)pyridine chelates. One-electron reduction to the corresponding neutral alkyls, ((iPr)PDI)Fe(CH(2)SiMe(3)) or ((iPr)PDI)Fe(CH(2)CMe(3)), is chelate-based, resulting in a bis(imino)pyridine radical anion (S(PDI) = 1/2) antiferromagnetically coupled to a high spin ferrous ion (S(Fe) = 2). The neutral neopentyl derivative was reduced by an additional electron and furnished the corresponding anion, [Li(Et(2)O)(3)][((iPr)PDI)Fe(CH(2)CMe(3))N(2)], with concomitant coordination of dinitrogen. The experimental and computational data establish that this S = 0 compound is best described as a low spin ferrous compound (S(Fe) = 0) with a closed-shell singlet bis(imino)pyridine dianion (S(PDI) = 0), demonstrating that the reduction is ligand-based. The change in field strength of the bis(imino)pyridine coupled with the placement of the alkyl ligand into the apical position of the molecule induced a spin state change at the iron center from high to low spin. The relevance of the compounds and their electronic structures to olefin polymerization catalysis is also presented.     

Oxidation and reduction of bis(imino)pyridine iron dicarbonyl complexes

The oxidation and reduction of a redox-active aryl-substituted bis(imino)pyridine iron dicarbonyl has been explored to determine whether electron-transfer events are ligand- or metal-based or a combination of both. A series of bis(imino)pyridine iron dicarbonyl compounds, [((iPr)PDI)Fe(CO)(2)](-), ((iPr)PDI)Fe(CO)(2), and [((iPr)PDI)Fe(CO)(2)](+) [(iPr)PDI = 2,6-(2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)N═CMe)(2)C(5)H(3)N], which differ by three oxidation states, were prepared and the electronic structures evaluated using a combination of spectroscopic techniques and, in two cases, [((iPr)PDI)Fe(CO)(2)](+) and [((iPr)PDI)Fe(CO)(2)], metrical parameters from X-ray diffraction. The data establish that the cationic iron dicarbonyl complex is best described as a low-spin iron(I) compound (S(Fe) = ?) with a neutral bis(imino)pyridine chelate. The anionic iron dicarbonyl, [((iPr)PDI)Fe(CO)(2)](-), is also best described as an iron(I) compound but with a two-electron-reduced bis(imino)pyridine. The covalency of the neutral compound, ((iPr)PDI)Fe(CO)(2), suggests that both the oxidative and reductive events are not ligand- or metal-localized but a result of the cooperativity of both entities.     

Four-coordinate, 14-electron Ru(II) complexes: unusual trigonal pyramidal geometry enforced by bis(phosphino)silyl ligation

Unprecedented diamagnetic, four-coordinate, formally 14-electron (Cy-PSiP)RuX (Cy-PSiP = [κ(3)-(2-R(2)PC(6)H(4))(2)SiMe](-); X = amido, alkoxo) complexes that do not require agostic stabilization and that adopt a highly unusual trigonal pyramidal coordination geometry are reported. The tertiary silane [(2-Cy(2)PC(6)H(4))(2)SiMe]H ((Cy-PSiP)H) reacted with 0.5 [(p-cymene)RuCl(2)](2) in the presence of Et(3)N and PCy(3) to afford [(Cy-PSiP)RuCl](2) (1) in 74% yield. Treatment of 1 with KO(t)Bu led to the formation of (Cy-PSiP)RuO(t)Bu (2, 97% yield), which was crystallographically characterized and shown to adopt a trigonal pyramidal coordination geometry in the solid state. Treatment of 1 with NaN(SiMe(3))(2) led to the formation of (Cy-PSiP)RuN(SiMe(3))(2) (3, 70% yield), which was also found to adopt a trigonal pyramidal coordination geometry in the solid state. The related anilido complexes (Cy-PSiP)RuNH(2,6-R(2)C(6)H(3)) (4, R = H; 5, R = Me) were also prepared in >90% yields by treating 1 with LiNH(2,6-R(2)C(6)H(3)) (R = H, Me) reagents. The solid state structure of 5 indicates a monomeric trigonal pyramidal complex that features a C-H agostic interaction. Complexes 2 and 3 were found to react readily with 1 equiv of H(2)O to form the dimeric hydroxo-bridged complex [(Cy-PSiP)RuOH](2) (6, 94% yield), which was crystallographically characterized. Complexes 2 and 3 also reacted with 1 equiv of PhOH to form the new 18-electron η(5)-oxocyclohexadienyl complex (Cy-PSiP)Ru(η(5)-C(6)H(5)O) (7, 84% yield). Both amido and alkoxo (Cy-PSiP)RuX complexes reacted with H(3)B·NHRR' reagents to form bis(σ-B-H) complexes of the type (Cy-PSiP)RuH(η(2):η(2)-H(2)BNRR') (8, R = R' = H; 9, R = R' = Me; 10, R = H, R' = (t)Bu), which illustrates that such four-coordinate (Cy-PSiP)RuX (X = amido, alkoxo) complexes are able to undergo multiple E-H (E = main group element) bond activation steps. Computational methods were used to investigate structurally related PCP, PPP, PNP, and PSiP four-coordinate Ru complexes and confirmed the key role of the strongly σ-donating silyl group of the PSiP ligand set in enforcing the unusual trigonal pyramidal coordination geometry featured in complexes 2-5, thus substantiating a new strategy for the synthesis of low-coordinate Ru species. The mechanism of the activation of ammonia-borane by such low-coordinate (R-PSiP)RuX (X = amido, alkoxo) species was also studied computationally and was determined to proceed most likely in a stepwise fashion via intramolecular deprotonation of ammonia and subsequent borane B-H bond oxidative addition steps.     

Pt(0) and Pd(0) olefin complexes of the metalloid N-heterocyclic carbene analogues [E(I)(ddp)] (ddp=2-{(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amino}-4-{(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino}-2-pentene; E=Al, Ga): ligand substitution, H--H and Si--H bond activation, and cluster formation

Various products of the reaction of [E(ddp)] (ddp=2-{(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amino}-4-{(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino}-2-pentene; E=Al, Ga) with Pt(0) and Pd(0) olefin complexes are reported. Thus, the reaction of [Pt(cod)(2)] (cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene) with two equivalents of [Ga(ddp)] yields [Pt(1,3-cod){Ga(ddp)}(2)] (1), whereas treatment of [Pd(2)(dvds)(3)] (dvds=1,1,3,3-tetramethyl1,3-divinyldisiloxane) with [E(ddp)] leads to the monomeric compounds [(dvds)Pd{E(ddp)}] (E=Ga (2 a), Al (2 b)) by substitution of the bridging dvds ligand. Both 1 and 2 a readily react with strong pi-acceptor ligands such as CO or tBuNC to give the dimeric compounds [M{mu(2)-Ga(ddp)}(L)] (L=CO, tBuNC; M=Pt (3 a, 5 a), Pd (3 b, 5 b)), respectively. Based on (1)H NMR spectroscopic data, [Pt{Ga(ddp)}(2)(CO)] is likely to be an intermediate in the formation of 3 a. Furthermore, reactions of 1 with H(2) and HSiEt(3) yield the monomeric compounds [Pt{Ga(ddp)}(2)(H)(2)] (7) and [Pt{Ga(ddp)}(2)(H)(SiEt(3))] (8). Finally, the reaction of [Pt(cod)(2)] with one equivalent of [Ga(ddp)] in the presence of H(2) in hexane gives the new dimeric cluster [Pt{mu(2)-Ga(ddp)}(H)(2)](2) (9).     

Solution- and solid-state characterisation of a configurationally-stable beta-diketiminato-supported calcium primary amide

'Selective' protonolysis of the beta-diketiminato calcium derivative [Ca[(NDippCMe)(2)CH][N(SiMe(3))(2)](THF)] Dipp = C(6)H(3)(i)Pr(2)-2,6) with H(2)N(CH(2))(2)OCH(3) produced the dimeric species [Ca[(NDippCMe)(2)CH][mu-NH(CH(2))(2)OMe]](2), which has been fully characterised in solution and in the solid state.     

Synthesis and structure of new compounds with Zn-Ga bonds: insertion of the gallium(I) bisimidinate Ga(DDP) into Zn-X (X = CH3, Cl) and the homoleptic complex cation [Zn(GaCp*)4]2+

Insertion reactions of the low-valent group 13 bisimidinate ligand Ga(DDP) {DDP = 2-[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amino]-4-[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]-2-pentene} into Zn-Me and Zn-Cl bonds are reported. The reaction of ZnMe2 with 2 equiv of Ga(DDP) yields the double-insertion product [{(DDP)GaMe}2Zn] (1), whereas the insertion of Ga(DDP) into the Zn-Cl bond of ZnCl2 in tetrahydrofuran (THF) leads to the monoinsertion product [{(DDP)GaCl}ZnCl(THF)2] (2). Treatment of 2 with Na[BArF] results in the salt [{THF.Ga(DDP)}Zn(THF)(mu-Cl)]2[BArF]2 (3), with two Cl atoms bridging the Zn centers. The structural features of the Zn-Ga-bonded compounds 1-3 were compared with related complexes and in particular with the compound [Zn(GaCp*)4][BArF]2 (4), which was synthesized by the reaction of ZnMe2, [H(OEt2)2][BArF], and GaCp* in fluorobenzene. The complex cation [Zn(GaCp*)4]2+ of 4 relates to previously reported d10 analogues [M(GaCp*)4] (M = Ni, Pd, Pt). All new compounds were fully characterized by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis and characterization of new unsymmetrical β-diketiminate tris(dimethylamido)hafnium(IV) complexes as potential precursors for the MOCVD of HfO2

The synthesis and characterization of four new unsymmetrical β-diketiminate tris(dimethylamido)hafnium(IV) complexes, [2-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amino-4-(phenyl)imino-2-pentene]tris(dimethylamido)hafnium(IV) (5a), [2-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amino-4-(4-methylphenyl)imino-2-pentene]tris(dimethylamido)hafnium(IV) (5b), [2-(2,6-diisopropyl-phenyl)amino-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)imino-2-pentene]tris(dimethylamido)hafnium(IV) (5c), and [2-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amino-4-(4-chlorophenyl)imino-2-pentene]tris(dimethylamido)hafnium(IV) (5d), are described. Amine elimination reactions work well for introducing unsymmetrical β-diketiminates2-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amino-4-(phenyl)imino-2-pentene (4a), 2-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amino-4-(4-methylphenyl)imino-2-pentene (4b), 2-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amino-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)imino-2-pentene (4c), and 2-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amino-4-(4-chlorophenyl)imino-2-pentene (4d) to the tetrakis(dimethylamino)hafnium centre. We discuss the synthetic procedures and characterization using ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR, mass spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. According to the IR and NMR spectra, unsymmetrical β-diketiminate ligands are bidentate, coordinating through two nitrogens to hafnium.     

beta-Diketiminate aluminium complexes: synthesis, characterization and ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters

A series of aluminium alkyl complexes (BDI)AlEt(2) (3a-m) bearing symmetrical or unsymmetrical beta-diketiminate ligand (BDI) frameworks were obtained from the reaction of triethyl aluminium and the corresponding beta-diketimine. The monomeric structure of the aluminium complex 3k was confirmed by an X-ray diffraction study, which shows that the aluminium center is coordinated by both of the nitrogen donors of the chelating diketiminate ligand and the two ethyl groups in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. Attempt to synthesize beta-diketiminate aluminium alkoxide complexes by the reactions of monochloride complex "(BDI-2a)AlMeCl" (4) with alkali salts of 2-propanol gave unexpectedly an aluminoxane [(BDI-2a)AlMe](2)(micro-O) (7) as characterized by X-ray diffraction methods. Complexes 3a-m and [(2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)NCMe)(2)HC]AlEt(2) (8) were found to catalyze the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of epsilon-caprolactone with moderate activities. The steric and electronic characteristics of the ancillary ligands have a significant influence on the polymerization performance of the corresponding aluminium complexes. The introduction of electron-donating substituents at the para-positions of the aryl rings in the ligand resulted in an apparent decrease in catalytic activity. Complex 3h showed the highest activity among the investigated aluminium complexes due to the high electrophilicity of the metal center induced by the meta-trifluoromethyl substituents on the aryl rings. The increase of steric hindrance of the ligand by introducing ortho-substituents onto the phenyl moieties also resulted in a decrease in the catalytic activity. Although the viscosity average molecular weights (M(eta)) of the obtained poly(caprolactone)s increased with the enhancement of monomer conversion, the ROPs of epsilon-caprolactone initiated by complexes 3a-m and 8 were not well-controlled, as judged from the broad molecular weight distributions (PDI = 1.66-3.74, M(w)/M(n)) of the obtained polymers and the nonlinear relationship of molecular weight versus monomer conversion.     

Generation of [(IPr)Pd(PR2Cl)] complexes via P-Cl reductive elimination

Treatment of [(IPr)Pd(Cl)(2)(PR(2)H)] (IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene; R = Cy, tBu, or 1-Ad) with NaN(SiMe(3))(2) generated isolable [(IPr)Pd(PR(2)Cl)] complexes (68-75%) that have been crystallographically characterized. The formation of these mixed-ligand Pd(0) species in this manner corresponds to an unusual net dehydrohalogenation/P-Cl reductive elimination sequence.     

Hafnocene catalysts for selective propylene oligomerization: efficient synthesis of 4-methyl-1-pentene by beta-methyl transfer

A series of hafnocene complexes (eta5-C5Me4R1)(eta5-C5Me4R2)HfCl2 with [R1, R2] = [H, H] (1), [Me, H] (2), [Me, Me] (3), [Et, Me] (4), [(i)Pr, Me] (5), [SiMe(3), Me] (6), [(t)Bu, Me] (7), [(n)Bu, Me] (8), [(i)Bu, Me] (9), [Et, Et] (10), [(n)Bu, (n)Bu] (11), [(i)Bu, (i)Bu] (12) was tested as catalyst precursors for propylene oligomerization. Upon activation with methylaluminoxane or [Ph(3)C][B(C(6)F(5))(4)]/Al(i)Bu(3), complexes 2-4 and 8-12 catalyzed the dimerization of propylene to produce 4-methyl-1-pentene with selectivities ranging from 23.9 to 61.6 wt % in the product mixture. The selectivity was dependent on the nature of the substituents R(1) and R(2), with the highest value found for (eta5-C5Me4(i)Bu)2HfCl2 (12). Rapid deactivation was observed for 5-7, whereas (eta5-C5Me4H)2HfCl2 (1) polymerized propylene. 4-Methyl-1-pentene is proposed to form by repeated 1,2-insertion of propylene into the hafnocene methyl cation, followed by selective beta-methyl elimination. Detailed analysis of the byproduct distribution (isobutene, 1-pentene, 2-methyl-1-pentene, 2,4-dimethyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-heptene, 4,6-dimethyl-1-heptene), determined by gas chromatography, was performed with the aid of a stochastic simulation involving rate constants for the propagation by insertion, beta-hydride elimination, and beta-methyl elimination. The rate of termination is dependent on the structure of the growing chain of the active species as well as on the bulkiness of the cyclopentadienyl ligands. The selectivity highly depends on the reaction conditions (pressure, temperature, concentration of methylaluminoxane). The rates of beta-methyl elimination leading to 4-methyl-1-pentene were proportional to propylene pressure for 2-4 and 8-10 but practically independent from propylene pressure for the sterically bulkier derivatives 11-12.