Investigation of LiAlH4-THF formation by direct hydrogenation of catalyzed Al and LiH

The formation of LiAlH(4)-THF by direct hydrogenation of Al and LiH in tetrahydrofuran (THF) was investigated using spectroscopic and computational methods. The molecular structures and free energies of the various possible adducts (THF-AlH(3), THF-LiH and THF-LiAlH(4)) present in a LiAlH(4)/THF solution were calculated and the dominant species were determined to be contact ion pairs where three THF molecules coordinate the lithium. Raman and X-ray absorption spectroscopy were used to investigate the effect of different Ti precursors on the formation of Al-H species and LiAlH(4)-THF and determine the optimal reaction conditions. A unique sample stage was developed from a microfluidic cell to evaluate the catalysts in situ. The effectiveness of two types of catalysts, titanium chloride (TiCl(3)) and titanium butoxide (Ti(C(4)H(9)O)(4)), and the catalyst concentration were evaluated under similar reaction conditions. Both catalysts were effective at facilitating hydrogenation, although TiCl(3) was more effective over the first few cycles with the greatest kinetic enhancement achieved with a low concentration of around 0.15 mol%. These results were qualitatively supported by infrared spectroscopy, which indicated that although a small amount of Ti is necessary for disassociating H(2), excess surface Ti (>0.1 ML) hinders the formation of Al-H species.     

Physiochemical pathway for cyclic dehydrogenation and rehydrogenation of LiAlH4

A five-step physiochemical pathway for the cyclic dehydrogenation and rehydrogenation of LiAlH4 from Li3AlH6, LiH, and Al was developed. The LiAlH4 produced by this physiochemical route exhibited excellent dehydrogenation kinetics in the 80-100 degrees C range, providing about 4 wt % hydrogen. The decomposed LiAlH4 was also fully rehydrogenated through the physiochemical pathway using tetrahydrofuran (THF). The enthalpy change associated with the formation of a LiAlH4.4THF adduct in THF played the essential role in fostering this rehydrogenation from the Li3AlH6, LiH, and Al dehydrogenation products. The kinetics of rehydrogenation was also significantly improved by adding Ti as a catalyst and by mechanochemical treatment, with the decomposition products readily converting into LiAlH4 at ambient temperature and pressures of 4.5-97.5 bar.     

Evolution of the local structure around Ti atoms in NaAlH4 doped with TiCl3 or Ti13.6THF by ball milling using X-ray absorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

X-ray absorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are used to investigate NaAlH4 doped with 5 mol % of Ti on the basis of either TiCl3 or Ti13.6THF by ball milling. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis of TiCl3 or Ti colloid doped samples indicates that Ti species do not remain on the sample surface but are driven into the material with increasing milling time. The surface concentration of Ti continues to decrease during subsequent cycles under hydrogen. After several cycles, it reaches a constant value of 0.5 at. % independently of the nature of the precursor. Moreover, metallic aluminum is already present at the surface after 2 min of ball milling in the case of TiCl3 doped Na-alanate, whereas it is totally absent in the case of Ti colloid doped samples at any milling time. Upon cycling, the atomic concentration of metallic Al at the surface evolves with the reaction under hydrogen, in contrast to the Ti concentration. Analysis of the binding energies of samples doped with TiCl3 or Ti colloid, after eight desorption/absorption cycles, reveals that the Na, O, and Ti environment remains the same, while the Al environment undergoes changes. According to the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis of TiCl3 doped Na-alanate, the local structure around Ti during the first cycle is close to that of metallic Ti but in a more distorted state. In the case of the Ti colloid doped sample, a stripping of the oxygen shell occurs. After eight cycles, a similar intermetallic phase between Ti and Al is present in the hydrogenated state of TiCl3 or Ti colloid doped samples. The local structure around Ti atoms after eight cycles consists of Al and Ti backscatterers with a Ti-Al distance of 2.79 angstroms and a Ti-Ti distance of 3.88 angstroms. This local structure is not exactly the TiAl3 phase because it differs significantly from the alloy phase in its fine structure and lacks long-range order. Volumetric measurements performed on these samples indicate that the formation of this local structure is responsible for the reduction of the reversible hydrogen capacity with the increasing number of cycles. Moreover, the formation of the alloy-like phase is correlated with a decrease of the desorption/absorption reaction rate.     

Hydrogen storage in LiAlH4: predictions of the crystal structures and reaction mechanisms of intermediate phases from quantum mechanics

We use the density functional theory and x-ray and neutron diffraction to investigate the crystal structures and reaction mechanisms of intermediate phases likely to be involved in decomposition of the potential hydrogen storage material LiAlH(4). First, we explore the decomposition mechanism of monoclinic LiAlH(4) into monoclinic Li(3)AlH(6) plus face-centered cubic (fcc) Al and hydrogen. We find that this reaction proceeds through a five-step mechanism with an overall activation barrier of 36.9 kcal/mol. The simulated x ray and neutron diffraction patterns from LiAlH(4) and Li(3)AlH(6) agree well with experimental data. On the other hand, the alternative decomposition of LiAlH(4) into LiAlH(2) plus H(2) is predicted to be unstable with respect to that through Li(3)AlH(6). Next, we investigate thermal decomposition of Li(3)AlH(6) into fcc LiH plus Al and hydrogen, occurring through a four-step mechanism with an activation barrier of 17.4 kcal/mol for the rate-limiting step. In the first and second steps, two Li atoms accept two H atoms from AlH(6) to form the stable Li-H-Li-H complex. Then, two sequential H(2) desorption steps are followed, which eventually result in fcc LiH plus fcc Al and hydrogen: Li(3)AlH(6)(monoclinic)-->3 LiH(fcc)+Al(fcc)+3/2 H(2) is endothermic by 15.8 kcal/mol. The dissociation energy of 15.8 kcal/mol per formula unit compares to experimental enthalpies in the range of 9.8-23.9 kcal/mol. Finally, we explore thermal decomposition of LiH, LiH(s)+Al(s)-->LiAl(s)+12H(2)(g) is endothermic by 4.6 kcal/mol. The B32 phase, which we predict as the lowest energy structure for LiAl, shows covalent bond characters in the Al-Al direction. Additionally, we determine that transformation of LiH plus Al into LiAlH is unstable with respect to transformation of LiH through LiAl.     

Photoelectrochemical properties of Fe2O3-Nb2O5 films prepared by sol-gel method

Fe2O3-Nb2O5 coating films of various Nb/(Fe + Nb) mole ratios were prepared on nesa silica glass substrates from Fe(NO3)3.9H2O - NbCl5 - CH3(CH2)2CH2OH - CH3COOH solutions by the sol-gel method. The photoanodic properties were studied in a three-electrode cell with an aqueous buffer solution of pH = 7 as the supporting electrolyte. The crystalline phases identified were alpha-Fe2O3 (Nb/(Fe + Nb) = 0), alpha-Fe2O3 + FeNbO4 (Nb/(Fe + Nb) = 0.25), FeNbO4 (Nb/(Fe + Nb) = 0.5), FeNbO4 + Nb2O5 (Nb/(Fe + Nb) = 0.75), and Nb2O5 (Nb/(Fe + Nb) = 1). When the Nb/(Fe + Nb) mole ratio increased from 0 to 0.25, the crystalline phases changed from alpha-Fe2O3 to alpha-Fe2O3 + FeNbO4, the photoanodic current under white light illumination increased, and the photoanodic current under monochromatized light illumination increased in both visible and ultraviolet regions. When the Nb/(Fe + Nb) ratio increased over 0.25, the crystalline phases changed to FeNbO4, FeNbO4 + Nb2O5, or Nb2O5, and the photoanodic current decreased. The sample consisting of alpha-Fe2O3 and FeNbO4 (Nb/(Fe + Nb) = 0.25) exhibited photoresponse extending to 600 nm and an IPCE of 18% at a wavelength of 325 nm.     

Synthesis and reactivity of niobium complexes having a tripodal triaryloxide ligand in bidentate, tridentate, and tetradentate coordination modes

The synthesis and reactivity of niobium complexes incorporating a tripodal triphenol (tris(3,5-tert-butyl-2-hydroxylphenyl)methane = H(3)[O(3)]) have been investigated. Addition of one equivalent of NbCl(5) in CH(3)CN to H(3)[O(3)] in toluene led to partial HCl elimination, giving [H(O(3))]NbCl(3)(CH(3)CN) (1) with a bidendtate bis(aryloxide) ligand and a pendant phenol arm. Treatment of 1 with THF afforded [H(O(3))]NbCl(3)(THF) (2). Deprotonation of 1 with NEt(3) in toluene promoted coordination of the pendant phenol group to generate (Et(3)NH)[(syn-O(3))NbCl(3)] (3-syn). Prolonged heating of 3-syn resulted in clean conversion to the anti isomer (3-anti). Attempted deprotonation of 2 with PhCH(2)MgCl provided [H(O(3))]Nb(CH(2)Ph)(3) (4), in which alkylation took place at the metal center but the pendant phenol arm remained intact. When 3-syn was treated with PhCH(2)MgCl, [O(3)C]Nb(CH(2)Ph) (5) was produced via C-H activation of the methine C-H bond. The analogous reaction with 3-anti provided a benzylidene complex [anti-O(3)]Nb(CHPh)(THF) (6). During the course of the reaction, the anti ligand conformation is retained. Upon heating, 4 underwent methine C-H and phenol O-H activation, yielding the metalatrane 5. Complexes 1, 3-syn, 3-anti, 4, and 5 were characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

LiAlH4与Li3AlH6的成键特性及热力学稳定性

采用基于密度泛函理论(DFT)的平面波赝势(PW-PP)方法, 计算了LiAlH4分解反应中各个产物的晶胞参数、电子结构、生成焓和分解反应的反应焓. 反应中各固态、气态物质的晶胞的结构优化后的晶格参数与相应的实验值均符合得较好. 对LiAlH4与Li3AlH6的电子结构分析均表明, 其中的Al—H键为共价键、Li—H键为离子键. 对各分解反应的反应焓计算结果表明, (1) LiAlH4→1/3Li3AlH6+2/3Al+H2,(2) 1/3Li3AlH6→LiH+1/3Al+1/2H2及(3) LiH+Al→LiAl+1/2H2均为吸热反应, 298 K时计算的反应焓分别为14.3、14.9 与50.9 kJ·mol-1, 与相应的实验值符合得较好.     

Asymmetric [2 + 1] Cycloaddition Reactions of 1-Seleno-2-silylethene

The reaction of (E)-1-(phenylseleno)-2-(trimethylsilyl)ethene (1) and vinyl ketones 2a-d in the presence of a chiral Lewis acid prepared from TiCl(4), Ti(O(i)Pr)(4), (R)- or (S)-1,1'-binaphthol (BINOL), and MS4A gave enantiomerically enriched cis cyclopropane products 3a-d. The enantiomeric excess and chemical yield varied depending on the ratio of TiCl(4) and Ti(O(i)Pr)(4) to 1. Reproducible results (43-47% ee/33-41% yields) for cis-1-acetyl-2-[(phenylseleno)(trimethylsilyl)methyl]cyclopropane (3a) were obtained using 1.1 equiv of TiCl(4), 0.54-0.65 equiv of Ti(O(i)Pr)(4), and 1.65 equiv of BINOL. The observed enantioselectivity was explained by consideration of the structure of the postulated intermediates, alkoxy titanium-carbonyl complexes, via ab initio MO calculations.     

Synthesis and structures of niobium(V) complexes stabilized by linear-linked aryloxide trimers

The preparation and characterization of a series of niobium(V) complexes that incorporate the linear-linked aryloxide trimers 2,6-bis(4,6-dimethylsalicyl)-4-tert-butylphenol [H3(Me-L)] and 2,6-bis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylsalicyl)-4-tert-butylphenol [H3(tBu-L)] are described. The chloride complex [Nb(Me-L)Cl2]2 (1) was prepared in high yield by reaction of NbCl5 with H3(Me-L) in toluene. In contrast, the analogous reaction with H3(tBu-L) gave a mixture of [Nb(tBu-L)Cl2]2 (2) and [Nb(de-tBu-L)Cl2]2 (3a). During the formation of 3a, one of tert-butyl groups at the ortho position in the tBu-L ligand was lost. When the NbCl5/H3(tBu-L) reaction was carried out in acetonitrile, Nb[H(tBu-L)]Cl3(NCMe) (4) was obtained. Heating a solution of 4 in toluene generated 2 and 3a. The isolated complex 4 underwent ligand redistribution in acetonitrile to produce Nb[H(tBu-L)]2Cl(NCMe) (5). Treatment of NbCl5 with Li3(tBu-L) in toluene afforded 2. The chloride ligands in 1 and 2 smoothly reacted with 4 equiv of MeMgI and LiStBu, resulting in [Nb(R-L)Me2]2 [R = Me (6), tBu (7)] and Nb(Me-L)(StBu)2 (8), respectively. A number of the above complexes have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. In the structures of 1, 2, and 6, the R-L ligand is bound to the metal center with a U-coordination mode, while an alternative S-conformation is adopted for 3a and 8. Complexes 4 and 5 contain a bidentate H(tBu-L) diphenoxide-monophenol ligand.     

The Effect of Al~(3 ), Na~ , NH_4~ on Ti Content in the Preparation of Ti-ZSM-5

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Valence shell charge concentrations at pentacoordinate d0 transition-metal centers: non-VSEPR structures of Me2NbCl3 and Me3NbCl2

The molecular structures of the monomeric, pentacoordinated methylchloroniobium(IV) compounds Me3NbCl2 and Me2NbCl3 have been determined by gas electron diffraction (GED) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and, for Me3NbCl2, by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Each of the molecules is found to have a heavy-atom skeleton in the form of a trigonal bipyramid (TBP) with Cl atoms in the axial positions, in accord with their vibrational spectra. The TBP is somewhat distorted in the case of Me2NbCl3 with the two axial Nb--Cl bonds bent away from the equatorial, slightly shorter Nb--Cl bond. In the case of Me3NbCl2, moreover, the X-ray model suggests structural distortions away from the idealized C3h geometry, in line with the results of quantum chemical calculations. Structure optimizations by DFT calculations and least-squares refinement to the GED data yield the following structural parameters (calcd/exptl; eq=equatorial; ax=axial; distances in A, angles in degrees; average values in brackets): Me3NbCl2, in C(3v) symmetry, Nb--Cl 2.370/2.319(3), Nb--C 2.173/2.152(4), C--H 1.096/1.124(5), angle-spherical NbCH 109.3/105.2(8), angle-spherical ClNbC 92.2/93.3(2), angle-spherical CNbC 119.9/119.7(1); Me2NbCl3, in C(2v) symmetry, Nb--Cl(ax) 2.361/2.304(5), Nb--Cl(eq) 2.321/2.288(9), Nb--C 2.180/2.135(9), C--H 1.094/1.12(1), angle-spherical Cl(ax)NbCl(eq) 98.5/96.5(6), angle-spherical CNbC 121.0/114(2), angle-spherical NbCH 108.9/109(2). The electronic structures of Me2NbCl3 and Me3NbC(2 have been explored by rigorous analysis of both the wavefunction and the topology of the electron density, employing DFT calculations. Hence the structures of these compounds are shown to reflect repulsion between the Nb--C and Nb--Cl bonding electron density and charge concentrations induced by the methyl ligands in the valence shell of the Nb atom and arising mainly from use of Nb(4d) functions in the Nb--C bonds.     

Lewis base character of the phosphorus atom in phosphanido-niobocene complexes. Synthesis of new early-early homo- and heterobimetallic entities

The reaction of phosphanido complexes [Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(L)(PPh(2))] [L = CO (1), CNXylyl (2)] with early transition metal halides in high oxidation states has been carried out. New bimetallic niobocene complexes [{Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(L)}(μ-PPh(2))(MCl(5))] [M = Nb, L = CO (3), L = CNXylyl (4); M = Ta, L = CO (5), L = CNXylyl (6)] have been successfully synthesized by the reaction with [MCl(5)](2) (M = Nb or Ta). In a similar way [{Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(L)}(μ-PPh(2))(MCl(4))] [M = Ti, L = CO (13), CNXylyl (14); M = Zr, L = CO (15), CNXylyl (16)] were synthesized using MCl(4) (M = Ti or Zr). Solutions of complexes 4-6 in chloroform produced new ionic derivatives [Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(P(H)Ph(2))(L)] [MCl(6)] [M = Nb, L = CO (7), L = CNXylyl (8); M = Ta, L = CO (9), L = CNXylyl (10)]. Ionic complexes [Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(P(Cl)Ph(2))(L)] [NbCl(4)O(thf)] [L = CO (11), CNXylyl (12)] were formed from solutions in thf - rapidly in the case of 3 but more slowly for 4. New heterometallic complexes [Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(L)(μ-PPh(2)){(Ti(η(5)-C(5)R(5))Cl(3)}] [R = H, L = CO (17), CNXylyl (18); R = CH(3), L = CO (19), CNXylyl (20)] were synthesized by the reaction of 1 or 2 with [Ti(η(5)-C(5)R(5))Cl(3)] (R = H or CH(3)). All of these compounds were characterized by IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and the molecular structures of 9 and 12 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Mono N,C,N-pincer complexes of titanium, vanadium and niobium. Synthesis, structure and catalytic activity in olefin polymerisation

Transmetallation of 4,4'-bis{(2,6-bis[(dimethylamino)methyl]phenylgold)diphenyl-phosphino}biphenyl (3) with MCl(4) (M = Ti, NbCl, V) in benzene gave the corresponding transition metal pincer complexes (4) and insoluble 4,4'-bis[P-(chloro gold(I))diphenylphosphino]biphenyl (2), which can be quantitatively recovered and recycled. Interestingly, 3 did not react with TiCl(3). However, reaction of 2,6-bis[(dimethylamino)methyl]phenyllithium (1) with TiCl(3) resulted in formation of the novel diaryltitanium(IV) compound 5 (16% yield), comprising one N,C,N-mer bound NCN-pincer ligand and a second NCN-pincer ligand that is rearranged from a 1,2,6-isomer to a 1,2,4 one. The latter NCN-ligand is dianionic and is bidentate bonded; one of the CH(2)NMe(2) substituents (para to C'(ipso)) is non-coordinated, while the second CH(2)NMe(2) group, after C-H activation of one of the Me groups, is η(2)-C,N-bonded to the titanium centre trans to C(ipso) of the mer-NCN ligand. The new NCN-pincer metal complexes 2,6-bis[(dimethylamino)methyl]phenylTiCl(3) (4a) and 2,6-bis[(dimethylamino)methyl]-phenylVCl(2) (4d) gave, after immobilization on MgCl(2)-based supports, very high activity in ethene polymerisation.     

Organic-soluble tri-, tetra-, and pentanuclear titanium(IV) phosphates

Bulky 2,6-disubstituted aryl esters of phosphoric acid, 2,6-dimethylphenyl phosphate (dmppH 2), and 2,6-diisopropylphenyl phosphate (dippH 2) react differently with Cp*TiCl 3 (Cp* = C 5Me 5) under identical reaction conditions. While dippH 2 and Cp*TiCl 3 react in THF at 25 degrees C to yield air-stable trinuclear titanophosphate cage [(Ti 3Cp*Cl(mu 2 -O)(dipp) 2(dippH) 4(THF)].(toluene) ( 1), the similar reaction involving dmppH 2 yields the tetranuclear titanophosphate [Ti 4Cl 2(mu 2 -O) 2(dmpp) 2(dmppH) 6(THF) 2].(toluene) 2 ( 2). Interestingly, the change of titanium source to Ti(O iPr) 4 in the reaction with dippH 2 produces a pentanuclear titanophosphate, [Ti 5(mu 3-O)(O iPr) 6((dipp) 6(THF)] ( 3). Compounds 1- 3 were the only products isolated as single crystals from the respective reaction mixtures in 59, 75, and 54% yield, respectively. The new clusters 1- 3 have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR ( (1)H and (31)P) spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The structural elucidation reveals that in the reactions leading to 1 and 2, extensive Cp*-Ti bond cleavage occurs, leaving only one residual Cp*-ligand in cluster 1 and none in 2. Closer analysis of the structures of 1- 3 shows common structural features which in turn imply that the formation of all three products could have proceeded via a common Ti-O-Ti dimeric building block.     

TiO2／Al2O3负载量对气相酯交换合成碳酸甲丙酯的影响

采用XRD、N2 physical adsorption、XPS、NH3-TPD和吡啶吸附IR等技术,对碳酸二甲酯和丙醇气固相合成碳酸甲丙酯的TiO2/Al2O3催化剂进行了表征.实验结果表明,TiO2/Al2O3表面的Lewis酸中心是反应的催化活性位,酸性主要来源于Al2O3,TiO2起修饰作用,有利于选择性生成碳酸甲丙酯.随着Ti负载量的增加,TiO2在Al2O3表面由高度分散状态向晶态转变,其比表面积逐渐降低,但是TiO2/Al2O3的表面酸性质没有受到显著影响,L酸量先是增加,而后略有下降.当Ti负载量为5%时,DMC的转化率及MPC的选择性分别达到54.3%和88.1%.     

Schiff碱钛配合物催化n-辛基联烯聚合

采用简便的方法, 合成了Schiff碱钛配合物Ti(Salen)2Cl2[Salen为N,N-(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)anilinato]并与Al(i-Bu)3组成二元催化体系用于n-辛基联烯的聚合. 实验结果表明, 在单体与催化剂摩尔比为100, n(Al)/n(Ti)=50, 催化剂于80 ℃陈化时间1 h后, 于80 ℃本体聚合16 h得到聚n-辛基联烯, 转化率100%, 分子量Mw=1.1×105, MWD=1.77, 1,2聚合链节单元质量分数为50%.     

含苄氯端基β-蒎烯大分子引发剂及嵌段共聚物的合成

在 - 40℃下 ,CH2 Cl2 中以α 氯代乙苯为引发剂 ,Ti(OiPr) 4 TiCl4复合物 (摩尔比为 1 3)为Lewis酸活化剂、nBu4NCl存在下先进行 β 蒎烯的活性聚合 ,30min后当单体转化率接近 10 0 %时 ,加入苯乙烯引发其活性聚合 .在苯乙烯低转化率 (15 %左右 )下终止反应 ,得到由 3～ 5个苯乙烯链节封端带苄氯端基的聚 β 蒎烯大分子引发剂 .1 H NMR分析表明每个大分子引发剂所带的苄氯端基数接近 1(1 1) .大分子引发剂与Ti(OiPr) 4 TiCl4复合后 ,CH2 Cl2 中 - 40℃下能顺利引发苯乙烯阳离子聚合 ,获得 β 蒎烯 苯乙烯嵌段共聚物 ;与氯化亚铜(CuCl) 2 ,2′ 联二吡啶 (bipy)复合 ,组成原子转移自由基聚合 (ATRP)引发体系 ,在甲苯中 110℃引发甲基丙烯酸甲酯 (MMA)自由基聚合 ,得到 β 蒎烯 MMA嵌段共聚物 ,但此时大分子引发剂的引发效率小于 10 0 %     

The synthesis, structure and ethene polymerisation catalysis of mono(salicylaldiminato) titanium and zirconium complexes

The silyl ethers 3-But-2-(OSiMe3)C6H3CH=NR (2a-e) have been prepared by deprotonation of the known iminophenols (1a-e) and treatment with SiClMe3 (a, R = C6H5; b, R = 2,6-Pri2C6H3; c, R = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2; d, R = 2-C6H5C6H4; e, R = C6F5). 2a-c react with TiCl4 in hydrocarbon solvents to give the binuclear complexes [Ti{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CH=N(R)}Cl(mu-Cl3)TiCl3] (3a-c). The pentafluorophenyl species 2e reacts with TiCl4 to give the known complex Ti{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CH=N(R)}2Cl2. The mononuclear five-coordinate complex, Ti{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CH=N(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)}Cl3 (4c), was isolated after repeated recrystallisation of 3c. Performing the dehalosilylation reaction in the presence of tetrahydrofuran yields the octahedral, mononuclear complexes Ti{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CH=N(R)}Cl3(THF) (5a-e). The reaction with ZrCl4(THF)2 proceeds similarly to give complexes Zr{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CH=N(R)}Cl3(THF) (6b-e). The crystal structures of 3b, 4c, 5a, 5c, 5e, 6b, 6d, 6e and the salicylaldehyde titanium complex Ti{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CH=O}Cl3(THF) (7) have been determined. Activation of complexes 5a-e and 6b-e with MAO in an ethene saturated toluene solution gives polyethylene with at best high activity depending on the imine substituent.     

Synchrotron X-ray studies of Al(1-y)Ti(y) formation and re-hydriding inhibition in Ti-enhanced NaAlH4

NaAlH4 samples with Ti additives (TiCl3, TiF3, and Ti(OBu)4) have been investigated by synchrotron X-ray diffraction in order to unveil the nature of Ti. No crystalline Ti-containing phases were observed after ball milling of NaAlH4 with the additives, neither as a solid solution in NaAlH4 nor as secondary phases. However, after cycling, a high-angle shoulder of Al is observed in the same position with 10% TiCl3 as that with 2% Ti(OBu)4, but with considerably higher intensity, indicating that the shoulder is caused by Ti. After prolonged reabsorption, there is only a small fraction of free Al phase left to react with Na3AlH6, whereas the shoulder caused by Al(1-y)Ti(y) is dominating. The Ti-containing phase causing the shoulder therefore contains less Ti than Al3Ti, and the aluminum in this phase is too strongly bound to react with Na3AlH6 to form NaAlH4. The composition of the Al(1-y)Ti(y) phase is estimated from quantitative phase analysis of powder X-ray diffraction data to be Al(0.85)Ti(0.15). Formation of this phase may explain the reduction of capacity beyond the theoretical reduction from the dead weight of the additive and the reaction between the additive and NaAlH4.     

Electrochemical and spectroscopic studies of the chloro and oxochloro complex formation of Nb(V) and Ta(V) in NaCl-AlCl3 melts

The equilibrium constant for the chloro complex formation of Nb(V) NbCl6-<--->NbCl5+Cl- (i) in NaCl-AlCl3 melts at 175 degrees C was found to be pKi = 2.86(5). The oxochloro complex formation of Nb(V) and Ta(V) in NaCl-AlCl3 melts at 175 degrees C could be explained by the following equilibria: MOCl4- <-->MOCl3+Cl- (ii) MOCl3<-->MOCl2(+)+Cl- (iii) where M = Nb and Ta. The equilibrium constants determined by potentiometric measurements with chlorine-chloride electrodes were, for M = Nb, pKii = 2.21(4) and pKiii = 3.95(5) and, for M = Ta, pKii = 2.743(15) and pKiii = 4.521(13). NbCl6- has two bands in the UV-vis region, a strong one at 34.7 x 10(3) cm-1 and a weaker one at 41.6 x 10(3) cm-1. The MOCl4- complexes showed in the case of Nb(V) absorption bands at 32.7 and 42.9 x 10(3) cm-1 and in the case of Ta(V) at 38.6 and 48.1 x 10(3) cm-1.