Selective dimerization,oligomerization, homopolymerization and copolymerization of olefins with complex organometallic catalysts

Review embarrasses the problems of low molecular weight olefins (ethylene and propylene) selective oligomerization to butene-1, hexene-1, octene-1, 4-methylpentene-1; selective polymerization of olefins to obtain polymers with a given molecular mass, molecular mass distribution, branching (for the polyethylene), chain structure [atactic, iso-, syndio-, gemiisotactic, stereoblock type and containing terminal vinyl and vinylidene bonds (for polypropylene)]; “live” homo-and copolymerization of olefins, and alternating copolymerization of olefins in the presence of complex organometallic catalysts.     

Ethylene polymerization by bis(salicylaldiminate)nickel(II)/aluminoxane catalysts

The homopolymerization of ethylene by using different catalytic systems based on dinitro‐substituted bis(salicylaldiminate)nickel(II) precursors such as bis[3,5‐dinitro‐N(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)]nickel(II) and bis[3,5‐dinitro‐N(phenyl)]nickel(II) in combination with organoaluminum compounds was investigated. In particular, the catalytic performances were studied as a function of the main reaction parameters, such as temperature, pressure, Al/Ni molar ratio, and duration. Methylaluminoxane resulted in the best co‐catalyst. Activities up to 200 kg polyethylene/(mol Ni × h) to give a linear high‐molecular‐weight polymer were achieved. The influence of the bulkiness of the substituents on the N‐aryl group of the aldimine ligand was also checked; it resulted in a determinant for catalytic activity rather than for polymer characteristics. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2534–2542, 2004     

Ethylene polymerization kinetics with heterogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalysts

Ethylene polymerization kinetics was examined using a supported Ti-based catalyst activated by AlEt₃. A computer-based technique for deconvoluting the GPC curves into constituent Flory components was developed. The kinetic analysis showed that the catalyst contains five populations of active centers. Each population has different formation and deactivation rates, produces polymers of different molecular weights and is differently affected by hydrogen.     

B,O-chelated azadipyrromethenes as near-IR probes

Complementary synthetic routes to a new class of near-IR fluorophores are described. These allow facile access (four synthetic steps) to the core fluorophore and substituted derivatives with emissions between 740 and 780 nm in good quantum yields.     

Ethylene polymerization studies with supported cyclopentadienyl,arene, and allyl chromium catalysts

Highly active catalysts for low pressure ethylene polymerization are formed when chromocene, bis (benzene)- or bis (cumene)-chromium or tris- or bis (allyl)-chromium compounds are deposited on high surface area silica-alumina or silica supports. Each catalyst type shows its own unique behavior in preparation, polymerization, activity, isomerization, and response to hydrogen as a chain transfer agent. The arene chromium compounds require an acidic support (silicaalumina) or thermal aging with silica to form a highly active catalyst. At 90°C polymerization temperature arene chromium catalysts produced high molecular weight polyethylene and showed, in contrast to supported chromocene catalysts, a much lower response to hydrogen as a chain transfer agent. An increase in polymerization temperature caused a significant decrease in polymer molecular weight. Addition of cyclopentadiene to supported bis (cumene)-chromium catalyst led to a new catalyst which showed a chain transfer response to hydrogen typical of a supported chromocene catalyst. Polymerization activity with tris- or bis (allyl)-chromium appears to depend on the divalent chromium content in the catalyst. Changes in the silica dehydration temperature of supported allyl chromium catalyst have a significant effect on the resulting polymer molecular weight. High molecular weight polymers were formed with catalysts that were prepared using silica dehydration temperatures below about 400°C. Dimers, trimers, and oligomers of ethylene were usually formed with catalysts that were prepared on silica dehydrated much above 400°C. The order of activity of the different types of catalysts was chromocene/silica > chromocene/silica-alumina > bis (arene)-chromium/silica-alumina ? allyl chromium/silica.     

Ethylene trimerisation and tetramerisation catalysts with polar-substituted diphosphinoamine ligands

Chromium-based catalyst systems with polar-substituted diphosphinoamine ligands are selective for either trimerisation or tetramerisation of ethylene, depending on the position of the polar groups on the aryl rings.     

Ethylene polymerization promoted by nickel complexes

The nickel complexes are of special relevance to catalysis for ethylene oligomerization and polymerization. Beyond the famous commercial SHOP process for ethylene oligomerization, among recent progress of nickel catalysts, various nickel complexes containing different ligands such as the bidentate and tridentate ligands are of interest. In contrast to the importance of hetereogeneous catalysis, the homogeneous catalyst is a small share for polyolefins, while the well-defined complexes affect the microstructure of the resultant polyolefin. The nickel catalysts often perform ethylene activations for inner olefins and the branched polyethylene with broad or bimodal molecular weight distribution. The catalytic behavior will be affected by adaptation of ligands coordinating around the nickel center. In addition, the auxiliary ligand Ph₃P can improve the catalytic activity by one order of magnitude, and its active center can be confirmed through isolating and characterizing the reliable intermediate. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Electrochemical evaluation of a number of nickel complexes with P,N-heterocyclic ligands as catalysts for hydrogen oxidation/release

The efficiency of a series of nickel complexes of P,N-cyclic ligands (potential catalysts in hydrogen fuel cells) in the electrocatalytic reduction of H+ to hydrogen and the oxidation of H₂ in the coordination shell/cavity of the catalyst in DMF (acetonitrile with variable nickel: ligand ratio (1: 1, 1: 2) and different counterions (X=Cl⁻ and BF₄⁻)) was tested, and the most favorable conditions and structures were determined. The relation between the activity of the catalysts and the values of the electrochemical gap was found.     

Ethylene polymerization with imine and phosphine nickel complexes containing isothiocyanate

Three isothiocyanate complexes of nickel(II) containing diimine [ArN?C(Me)? C(Me)?NAr]Ni‐ (NCS)₂ (1), iminophosphine [Ph₂PC₆H₄CH?NAr]Ni(NCS)₂ (2), or diphosphine (dppe)Ni(NCS)₂ (3), [Ar = 2, 6‐ⁱPr‐C₆H₃; dppe = 1, 2‐bis(diphenylphosphine)ethane] were synthesized and examined for ethylene polymerization activated by methylaluminoxane (MAO). Their behavior was compared with those of the corresponding halide analogues [ArN?C(Me)? C(Me)?NAr]NiBr₂ (4), [Ph₂PC₆H₄CH?NAr]NiBr₂ (5), and (dppe)NiCl₂ (6). The diimines showed the highest polymerization activity. Replacement of the halide for the NCS pseudo halide affected the activity and decreased the molecular weight of the polymer formed. The highest molecular weights were obtained with the diimine complexes. Highly branched polyethylenes were obtained with the bulkier complexes 1 and 4. Replacement of the halide for NCS in the diimine complexes also caused an increase in the branching content, whereas the opposite occurs for the iminophosphine complexes. The different activities and behavior of the catalyst systems with halide versus NCS in the polymerization of ethylene and the characteristics of the final products suggest a modification in the active species caused by the non‐chelating ligand. Polymer molecular weight and branching content is dependent on the MAO/Ni molar ratio and on the working temperature. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ethylene/propylene copolymers with vanadium-based catalysts: Cocatalyst effect

Ethylene/propylene copolymers were obtained with vanadium-based catalysts. Different aluminium alkyls were employed as cocatalyst: Al(C₂H₅)₂Cl/promoter, Al(i-C₄H₉)₃, Al(n-C₆H₁₃)₃. and Al(n-C₈H₁₇)₃. The influence of the cocatalyst on the molecular weight, the molecular weight distribution and the microstructure of the copolymers was investigated through GPC, DSC, ¹³C–NMR analysis and fractionation. AIR₃ afforded a polymerization activity that was much higher with respect to Al(C₂H₅)₂Cl/nBPCC, but with the latter cocatalyst system copolymers were obtained with a more homogeneous distribution of the monomers and the absence of crystallinity. A comparison with ethylene/propylene copolymers obtained with a V(Acac)₃/Al(C₂H₅)₂Cl/promoter and with a high-yield Ti-based catalyst is also presented.     

Ethylene polymerization with supported bis(triphenylsilyl) chromate catalysts

Bis(triphenylsilyl) chromate is an active catalyst for ethylene polymerization without further treatment or additives. Catalytic activity is markedly increased when the compound is deposited on silica–alumina and is further increased if it is deposited on silica and then treated with an aluminum alkyl. Polymer molecular weight can be controlled by reaction temperature, hydrogen addition, support type, and reducing agent structure to give polymers ranging in melt index from essentially zero to > 100. In the supported catalysts the bis(triphenylsilyl) chromate appears to be bound to the support and to undergo a reduction step either by reaction with ethylene or with aluminum alkyl prior to polymerization. The active site is envisioned as chromium alkyl, bound to the support, with propagation occurring by insertion of the monomer into a Cr? C bond. Chain termination is by chain transfer to monomer.     

Ring retention in the homopolymerization of cyclic olefins by rhenium olefin metathesis catalysts

The homogeneous catalyst system, Re(CO)₅Cl/C₂H₅AlCl₂, was found to promote the homopolymerization of cyclic olefins containing 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-member rings to low-molecular-weight materials. The final compounds, which polymerize only at elevated temperatures, were found by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared (IR) studies to be totally saturated systems. Various bands in the IR spectra indicate that the ring systems are preserved and that the final products are made up of repeating 1,2-, or a combination of 1,2- and isomerized single-bond units. Although the active catalyst initially contains a coordinated carbene, a mechanism similar to that of polymerization by a Ziegler—Natta catalyst is proposed.     

Ethylene polymerization with novel phenoxy-imine catalysts bearing 4-vinylphenyl group

This contribution reports ethylene polymerization behavior of titanium complexes incorporating bis(phenoxyimine) ligands. Six phenoxy-imine Ti(IV) complexes {6-R1-2-[CH=N(2,6-difluoro-3,5-diR2-4-R3Ph)]C6H3O}2TiCl2(1: R1 = H, R2 = H, R3 = H; 2: R1 = H, R2 = H, R3 = 4-vinylphenyl; 3: R1 = CH3, R2 = H, R3 = H; 4: R1 = CH3, R2 = H, R3 = 4-vinylphenyl; 5: R1 = CH3, R2 = F, R3 = H; 6: R1 = CH3, R2 = F, R3 = 4-vinylphenyl) have been synthesized and evaluated for ethylene polymerization using dried MAO(simplified as DMAO) as cocatalyst. An obvious catalytic heterogeneity of Cat 2(Complex 2/DMAO) towards ethylene polymerization was observed, which was illustrated by decreased activity, multimodal molecular weight distribution and partially improved particle morphology comparing with Cat 1. Moreover, Cat 3 exhibits "living" characteristics in the process under certain conditions(25 °C, less than 20 min). Otherwise, the moderate to high ethylene polymerization activity of ca. 105-106 g PE/(mol Ti·h) and high molecular weight(Mw = 105-106) of polyethylene can be obtained by changing the skeleton structure of these complexes.     

Double O,C,O-chelated diorganotin(IV) derivatives

Novel diorganotin(IV) compounds (L^1,2)₂SnCl₂, where L^1,2 are O,C,O-chelating ligands (called the pincer ligands), 2,6-bis(alkoxymethyl)phenyl-, , (L¹, R = Me, L², R = t-Bu), have been synthesized and characterized by ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy, MS-ESI spectrometry and elemental analysis. The structure of both compounds (L¹)₂SnCl₂ (1) and (L²)₂SnCl₂ (2) was determined by X-ray crystallography. Determination of crystal structures reveals different shapes of coordination polyhedra. While deformed octahedron was found for 1, tetrahedral geometry of the tin atom was determined for 2. The NMR spectroscopy indicates a similar structural arrangement of 1 and 2 in solution. The reaction of 1 with silver salts of low nucleophilic anions X⁻ (X = OTf and 1-CB₁₁H₁₂) resulted in (L¹)₂SnCl(OTf) (3), (L¹)₂Sn(OTf)₂ (4), and (L¹)₂SnCl(CB₁₁H₁₂) (5). The compounds 4 and 5 are of ionic nature both in solid state and in solution of CH₃CN.     

Ethylene oligomerization promoted by nickel-based catalysts with silicon-bridged diphosphine amine ligands

Transition Metal Chemistry - A series of nickel complexes [Ni(L1)Br2] (C1), [Ni(L2)Br2] (C2) and [Ni(L3)Br2] (C3)...     

In situ ethylene homopolymerization and copolymerization catalyzed by zirconocene catalysts entrapped inside functionalized montmorillonite

Ethylene homopolymerizations and copolymerizations were catalyzed by zirconocene catalysts entrapped inside functionalized montmorillonites that had been rendered organophilic via the ion exchange of the interlamellar cations of layered montmorillonite with hydrochlorides of L ‐amino acids (AAH⁺Cl^?) or their methyl esters (MeAAH⁺Cl^?), with or without the further addition of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C₁₆H₃₃N⁺Me₃Br^?; R₄N⁺Br^?). In contrast to the homogeneous Cp₂ZrCl₂/methylaluminoxane catalyst for ethylene homopolymerizations and copolymerizations with 1‐octene, the intercalated Cp₂ZrCl₂ activated by methylaluminoxane for ethylene homopolymerizations and copolymerizations with 1‐octene proved to be more effective in the synthesis of polyethylenes with controlled molecular weights, chemical compositions and structures, and properties, including the bulk density. The effects of the properties of the organic guests on the preparation and catalytic performance of the intercalated zirconocene catalysts were studied. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2187–2196, 2003     

Gold(I) catalysts with bifunctional P, N ligands

A series of phosphanes with imidazolyl substituents were prepared as hemilabile PN ligands. The corresponding gold(I) complexes were tested as bifunctional catalysts in the Markovnikov hydration of 1-octyne, as well as in the synthesis of propargylamines by the three component coupling reaction of piperidine, benzaldehyde, and phenylacetylene. While the activity in the hydration of 1-octyne was low, the complexes are potent catalysts for the three component coupling reaction. In homogeneous solution the conversions to the respective propargylamine were considerably higher than under aqueous biphasic conditions. The connectivity of the imidazolyl substituents to the phosphorus atom, their substitution pattern, as well as the number of heteroaromatic substituents have pronounced effects on the catalytic activity of the corresponding gold(I) complexes. Furthermore, formation of polymetallic species with Au(2), Au(3), and Au(4) units has been observed and the solid-state structures of the compounds [(5)(2)Au(3)Cl(2)]Cl and [(3c)(2)Au(4)Cl(2)]Cl(2) (3c = tris(2-isopropylimidazol-4(5)-yl phosphane, 5 = 2-tert-butylimidazol-4(5)-yldiphenyl phosphane) were determined. The gold(I) complexes of imidazol-2-yl phosphane ligands proved to be a novel source for bis(NHC)gold(I) complexes (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene).     

Ethylene polymerization catalyzed by substituted pyrazole nickel complexes

(Pyrazole)nickel dibromide complexes, (3,5-Me₂pz)₂NiBr₂ (1), (3-Mepz)₄NiBr₂ (2), (pz)₄NiBr₂ (3) and (3,5-^tBu₂pz)₂NiBr₂ (4), were prepared by the reaction of the appropriate pyrazole with (DME)NiBr₂. Solid-state structures of these complexes show a direct relation between the steric bulk of the pyrazole ligand and structure, with more bulky ligands forming four-coordinate complexes (1 and 4) whereas the less bulky ligands formed six-coordinate complexes (2 and 3). Activation of selected complexes (1 and 3) with methylaluminoxane (MAO) produced species that catalyzed the polymerization of ethylene to form high density polyethylene.     

One-pot synthesis of imidazoles from aromatic nitriles with nickel catalysts

Nickel(0) catalysts were used to produce substituted imidazoles in good to high yields using benzonitrile, p-substituted benzonitriles and 4-cyanopyridine as starting materials.