Oxidative addition of MeI to cationic Rh(I) carbonyl complexes with pyridyl bis(carbene) ligands

A series of cationic Rh(I) carbonyl complexes of the form [Rh(CO)(L)]PF₆ (where L = 2,6-bis (alkylimidazol-2-ylidene)-pyridine; alkyl = Me (1a), Et (1b), CH₂Ph (1c)) have been prepared by the reactions of [Rh(CO)₂(OAc)]₂ with diimidazolium pyridine salts in the presence of NEt₃. The ν(CO) values for 1 are ca. 1982 cm⁻¹, indicating that the N-heterocyclic carbene ligands impart high electron density on the Rh(I) centres, despite the overall cationic charge. Each of the Rh(I) complexes reacts with MeI to form two isomeric Rh(III) methyl species, and a third unidentified species. Kinetic measurements on the MeI oxidative addition reactions give second-order rate constants (MeCN, 25 °C) of 0.0927, 0.0633 and 0.0277 M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for 1a, 1b and 1c, respectively. Comparison of these data with those for related Rh(I) carbonyl complexes shows that 1 have remarkably high nucleophilicity for cationic species.     

Synthesis and reactions of heterodinuclear organopalladium–cobalt complexes acting as copolymerization catalyst for aziridine and carbon monoxide

A series of heterodinuclear acylpalladium–cobalt complexes having a bidentate nitrogen ligand, L₂(RCO)Pd–Co(CO)₄ (L₂ = bpy, R = Me (5), Ph (6); L₂ = tmeda, R = Me (7), Ph (8); L₂ = phen, R = Me (9), Ph (10)) are prepared by metathetical reactions of PdRIL₂ with Na⁺[Co(CO)₄]⁻ followed by treatment with CO. These complexes are characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopies and elemental analyses, and the molecular structures of 6, 8, and 9 are determined by X-ray structure analysis. Geometry at Pd is essentially square planar and the Co atom is considered to have d¹⁰ tetrahedral structure, where cobalt(-I) anion coordinates to palladium(II) cation. Heterodinuclear organopalladium–cobalt complexes are shown to catalyze copolymerization of aziridines and CO under mild conditions. Reaction of (dppe)MePd–Co(CO)₄ (1) with aziridine gives a cationic (aziridine)palladium(II) complex with [Co(CO)₄]⁻ anion, [PdMe(aziridine)(dppe)]⁺[Co(CO)₄]⁻ (13).     

Synthesis and characterization of zinc complexes and reactivity with primary phosphines

Zinc complexes of chelating monoanionic N-donors and neutral diphosphine ligands were synthesized by reaction of diethylzinc with 1,3-diketimine, diazabutadiene, and diphosphine ligand precursors. These complexes were reacted with primary phosphines in an attempt to solicit phosphine dehydrocoupling reactivity. In most cases, insoluble zinc-containing precipitates were formed and ligands were liberated. For the most sterically encumbered complex, (^DippL)ZnEt (3, ^DippL = [(2,6-ⁱPrC₆H₃)NC(CH₃)]₂CH⁻), a product assigned as the zinc-phosphide (^DippL)ZnPHPh (6) was observed but could not be isolated as a pure compound. A new, less bulky β-diketiminate complex (^TolL)ZnEt (2, ^TolL = [(p-CH₃C₆H₄)NC(CH₃)]₂CH⁻) was reacted with primary phosphines to give a precipitate and the bis(β-diketiminate)zinc complex (^TolL)₂Zn (5), an apparent product of comproportionation. (^MesAI)ZnEt (1, ^MesAI = MesNC(Me)(Et)C(Me) = NMes) and 2 were structurally characterized.     

Bifunctional nickel precatalysts of amido-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes for base-free Michael reaction under ambient conditions

A series of new bifunctional nickel precatalysts, [1-(R)-3-N-(benzylacetamido)imidazol-2-ylidene]₂ Ni [R = Me (1b), i-Pr (2b), and CH₂Ph (3b)], containing a Lewis acidic metal site and a Lewis basic amido-N site in a pendent ligand sidearm, have been successfully designed for base-free Michael addition reaction. Specifically, the nickel (1–3)b complexes catalyzed the highly desired base-free Michael addition reactions of representative cyclic 5-membered β-dicarbonyl and β-ketoester substrates with a variety of activated olefinic compounds in air at ambient temperature in good to excellent yield. The nickel (1–3)b complexes were synthesized from the reactions of the corresponding imidazolium chloride salts, (1–3)a, with NiCl₂?6H₂O in presence of K₂CO₃ as a base in 55–73% yield. The density functional theory (DFT) studies performed on the nickel complexes suggested the presence of a strong Ni–NHC σ-interaction in these complexes.     

Bifunctional nickel precatalysts of amido-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes for base-free Michael reaction under ambient conditions

A series of new bifunctional nickel precatalysts, [1-(R)-3-N-(benzylacetamido)imidazol-2-ylidene]₂ Ni [R = Me (1b), i-Pr (2b), and CH₂Ph (3b)], containing a Lewis acidic metal site and a Lewis basic amido-N site in a pendent ligand sidearm, have been successfully designed for base-free Michael addition reaction. Specifically, the nickel (1–3)b complexes catalyzed the highly desired base-free Michael addition reactions of representative cyclic 5-membered β-dicarbonyl and β-ketoester substrates with a variety of activated olefinic compounds in air at ambient temperature in good to excellent yield. The nickel (1–3)b complexes were synthesized from the reactions of the corresponding imidazolium chloride salts, (1–3)a, with NiCl₂•6H₂O in presence of K₂CO₃ as a base in 55–73% yield. The density functional theory (DFT) studies performed on the nickel complexes suggested the presence of a strong Ni–NHC σ-interaction in these complexes.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of η-allyl(α-diimine)nickel(II) complexes bearing trimethylsilyl groups

A set of isomeric para- and meta-trimethylsilylphenyl ortho-substituted N,N-phenyl α-diimine ligands [(Ar-NC(Me)-(Me)CN-Ar) Ar=2,6-di(4-trimethylsilylphenyl)phenyl (16); Ar=2,6-di(3-trimethylsilylphenyl)phenyl (17)] have been synthesized through a two-step procedure. The palladium-catalysed cross-coupling reaction between 2,6-dibromophenylamine (7) and 4-trimethylsilylphenylboronic acid (8), 3-trimethylsilylphenylboronic acid (9) was used to prepare 4,4^′-bis(trimethylsilyl)-[1,1^′;3^′,1″]terphenyl-2^′-ylamine (10) and 3,3^′-bis(trimethylsilyl)-[1,1^′;3^′,1″]terphenyl-2^′-ylamine (11). The di-1-adamantylphosphine oxide Ad₂P(O)H (13) and di-tert-butyl-trimethylsilylanylmethylphosphine tert-Bu₂P-CH₂-SiMe₃ (14) were used for the first time as ligands for the Suzuki coupling. The condensation of 2,2,3,3-tetramethoxybutane (15) with anilines 10 and 11 afforded α-diimines 16 and 17. The reaction of π-allylnickel chloride dimer (18), α-diimines (16), (17) and sodium tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate (BAF) (19) or silver hexafluoroantimonate (20) led to two sets of isomeric complexes [η³-allyl(Ar-NC(Me)-(Me)CN-Ar)Ni]⁺ X⁻, [Ar=2,6-di(4-trimethylsilylphenyl)phenyl, X=BAF (3), X=SbF₆ (4); Ar=2,6-di(3-trimethylsilylphenyl)phenyl, X=BAF (5), X=SbF₆ (6)]. The steric repulsion of closely positioned trimethylsilyl groups in 4 caused the distortion of the nickel square planar coordination by 17.6° according to X-ray analysis.     

Methylene-bridged bis(8-arylimino)-5,6,7-trihydro-quinolylinickel precatalysts for ethylene polymerization

A series of binuclear nickel complexes bearing N-(5,6,7-trihydroquinolin-8-ylidene)amino CH(C₆H₄-4-R²){4-C₆H₂-2,6-R¹₂N-(C₅H₃NC₄H₆)}₂ [R¹ = Me, R² = OH L1 , R¹ = Et, R² = OH L2 , R¹ = Me, R² = H L3 , R¹ = Me, R² = OCH₃ L4 ] has been synthesized and characterized. In the presence of either methylaluminoxane (MAO) or Et₂AlCl, all nickel complexes exhibited high activities up to 3.33 × 10⁶ g (PE)·mol⁻¹(Ni)·hr⁻¹ toward ethylene polymerization, producing high branched polyethylenes (PEs). The aluminum cocatalysts have significantly affected the properties of resultant PE; with MAO as the cocatalyst, the resultant PE shows higher molecular weight and possesses only one T_m value, meanwhile Et₂AlCl as the cocatalyst, the obtained PE indicates lower molecular weight and two melting points. The microstructures of those PEs determined by their ¹³C NMR spectra illustrate the similar densities but different types of branches, in which the PE obtained with Et₂AlCl shows high methyl branch selectivity (>80%), and the PE produced by MAO has 50% methyl and another half of longer branches. The branched PEs are consistent to the chain migration happened in the ethylene polymerization.     

2-(1-Aryliminoethylidene)quinolylnickel(II) dibromides: Synthesis, characterization and ethylene dimerization capability

A series of 2-(1-aryliminoethylidene)quinoline derivatives (L1-L9) and the nickel(II) dibromides (C1-C9) thereof, were synthesized and characterized. The molecular structures of C2 (R¹ = Et, R² = H, R = Me) and C9 (R¹ = ⁱPr, R² = H, R = ⁱPr) were confirmed as being distorted tetrahedral at nickel by single crystal X-ray diffraction. On treatment with diethylaluminium chloride (Et₂AlCl) or ethylaluminum sesquichloride (EASC), these nickel pre-catalysts exhibited high activity for selective ethylene dimerization (0.89-3.29 × 10⁶ g mol⁻¹(Ni) h⁻¹) at 20 °C under 10 atm of ethylene. The influence of the reaction parameters on the catalytic behaviour was investigated for these nickel systems, including variation of Al/Ni molar ratio and reaction temperature.     

New cyclometalated palladium(II) complexes with iminophosphines: Crystal structures of [Pd(C^N)(o-Ph2PC6H4–CH=NR)][PF6] (C^N=azobenzene,R=Et; C^N=2-phenylpyridine,R=Me)

The synthesis of new cyclometalated compounds of palladium(II) with the mixed-donor bidentate ligands o-Ph₂PC₆H₄–CH=NR is described. Two series of complexes [Pd(C^N)(o-Ph₂PC₆H₄–CH=NR)][PF₆] have been prepared using either azobenzene or 2-phenylpyridine as cyclometalated ligands [C^N=azobenzene (azb); R=Me (1a), Et (2a), ⁿPr (3a), ⁱPr (4a), ^tBu (5a), Ph (6a), NH–Me (7a); C^N=2-phenylpyridine (phpy); R=Me (1b), Et (2b), ⁿPr (3b), ⁱPr (4b), ^tBu (5b), Ph (6b), NH–Me (7b)]. The new complexes were characterized by partial elemental analyses and spectroscopic methods (IR, FAB, ¹H and ³¹P NMR). The molecular structures of compounds 2a (monoclinic, P 2₁/n) and 1b (monoclinic, C 2/c) have been determined by a single-crystal diffraction study. In both cases this technique revealed the relative trans configuration between the phosphorus atom and the nitrogen atom of the ortho-metalated ligand.     

Palladium(II) compounds with planar chirality. X-Ray crystal structures of (+)-(R)-[{(η5-C5H4)–CHN–CH(Me)–C10H7}Fe(η5-C5H5)] and (+)-(Rp,R)-[Pd{[(Et–CC–Et)2(η5-C5H3)–CHN–CH(Me)–C10H7]Fe(η5-C5H5)}Cl]

A wide variety of planar chiral cyclopalladated compounds of general formulae [Pd{[(η⁵-C₅H₃)–CHN–CH(Me)–C₁₀H₇]Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)}Cl(L)] (with L=py-d₅ or PPh₃), [Pd{[(η⁵-C₅H₃)–CHN–CH(Me)–C₁₀H₇]Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)}(acac)] or [Pd{[(R¹–CC–R²)₂(η⁵-C₅H₃)–CHN–CH(Me)–C₁₀H₇]Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)}Cl] (with R¹=R²=Et; R¹=Me, R²=Ph; R¹=H, R²=Ph; R¹=R²=Ph; R¹=R²=CO₂Me or R¹=CO₂Et, R²=Ph) are reported. The diastereomers {(R_p,R) and (S_p,R)} of these compounds have been isolated by either column chromatography or fractional crystallization. The free ligand (R)-(+)-[{(η⁵-C₅H₄)–CHN–CH(Me)–C₁₀H₇}Fe(η⁵–C₅H₅)] (1) and compound (+)-(R_p,R)-[Pd{[(Et–CC–Et)₂(η⁵-C₅H₃)–CHN–CH(Me)–C₁₀H₇]Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)}Cl] (7a) have also been characterized by X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical studies based on cyclic voltammetries of all the compounds are also reported.     

Synthesis and characterization of zinc complexes and reactivity with primary phosphines

Zinc complexes of chelating monoanionic N-donors and neutral diphosphine ligands were synthesized by reaction of diethylzinc with 1,3-diketimine, diazabutadiene, and diphosphine ligand precursors. These complexes were reacted with primary phosphines in an attempt to solicit phosphine dehydrocoupling reactivity. In most cases, insoluble zinc-containing precipitates were formed and ligands were liberated. For the most sterically encumbered complex, (^DippL)ZnEt (3, ^DippL = [(2,6-ⁱPrC₆H₃)NC(CH₃)]₂CH^?), a product assigned as the zinc-phosphide (^DippL)ZnPHPh (6) was observed but could not be isolated as a pure compound. A new, less bulky β-diketiminate complex (^TolL)ZnEt (2, ^TolL = [(p-CH₃C₆H₄)NC(CH₃)]₂CH^?) was reacted with primary phosphines to give a precipitate and the bis(β-diketiminate)zinc complex (^TolL)₂Zn (5), an apparent product of comproportionation. (^MesAI)ZnEt (1, ^MesAI = MesNC(Me)(Et)C(Me) = NMes) and 2 were structurally characterized.     

Vinyl/Vinylene functionalized highly branched polyethylene waxes obtained using electronically controlled cyclohexyl‐fused pyridinylimine‐nickel precatalysts

A series of 8‐(2,6‐dibenzhydryl‐4‐R‐phenylimino)‐5,6,7‐trihydroquinoline ligands have been prepared in which the nature of 4‐R substitutions vary from electron withdrawing to electron donating. The treatment with NiCl₂.6H₂O or (DME)NiBr₂ afforded the corresponding complexes of nickel chloride (4‐R = Me Ni1 , Et Ni2 , ^tBu Ni3 , CHPh₂ Ni4 , Cl Ni5 , and F Ni6 ) and nickel bromide (4‐R = Me Ni7 , Et Ni8 , ^tBu Ni9 , CHPh₂ Ni10 , Cl Ni11 , and F Ni12 ). X‐ray diffraction study of complexes Ni3 , Ni6 , and Ni10 , revealed that Ni3.1/2H₂O and Ni6.H₂O adopted unsymmetrical and symmetrical chloride‐bridged dinuclear structures respectively, while Ni10.H₂O is found as mononuclear specie forming distorted‐square planer geometry. In the presence of either diethylaluminum chloride (Et₂AlCl) or modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), all the nickel complexes ( Ni1–Ni12 ) displayed high activities (up to 1.91 × 10⁶ g(PE) mol (Ni)⁻¹h⁻¹. Highly branched polyethylene waxes with low molecular weights (M_w ≤ 2.6 kg/mol) and narrow molecular weights distributions (M_w/M_n ≤ 1.96) incorporated with vinylene and vinyl groups were obtained. The effects of 4‐R substitutions to the nickel chloride and bromide pre‐catalysts and reaction conditions on the catalytic performance and the properties of the resulting polyethylene were the subject of a detail investigation. The positive influences of using electron‐withdrawing 4‐R substitutions and bromides were observed. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 1269–1281     

Enol ethers and acetals: acylation with dichloroacetyl,acetyl and benzoyl chloride in ionic liquid medium

Synthesis of 4-alkoxy-1,1-dichloro-3-alken-2-ones [CHCl₂C(O)C(R²)C(R¹)-OR, where R, R¹, R² = Et, H, H; Me, Me, H; Et, H, Me; Me, –(CH₂)₂–; Me, –(CH₂)₃–; Et, Et, H; Et, Bu, H; Et, i-Pr, H; Et, i-Bu, H; Me, Ph, H; Me, thien-2-yl, H] from acylation of enol ethers and acetals with dichloroacetyl chloride, in ionic liquid ([BMIM][BF₄] or [BMIM][PF₆]) is reported. The synthesis of alkenones [R³–C(O)C(R²)C(R¹)-OR], where R/R¹/R²/R³ = Et/H/H/Ph, t-Bu/H/H/Ph, Me/-(CH₂)₄/Ph, Me/-(CH₂)₄/Me] from the reaction of enol ethers with benzoyl chloride or acetyl chloride, in ionic liquid [BMIM][BF₄], is also reported. Last products are described for the first time.     

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     

Nickel-catalysed asymmetric SN2′ substitution chemistry of Baylis–Hillman derived allylic electrophiles

Unsymmetrical PhCHCH(CH₂X)(CO₂Me) (X = Cl, OAc) undergoes regioselective α-substitution with AlMe₃ to afford (E)-PhCHCH(Et)(CO₂Me) under Ni(acac)₂ catalysis. On the addition of planar chiral Ferrophite ligands [(R)-CpFe(1,2-C₅H₃Ar{P(OR)₂}) (Ar = Ph, 4-CF₃Ph, 3,5-Me₂Ph, 1-naphthyl; (OR)₂ = 1,1′-binaphthylene, 1,1′-biphenylene)] regioselective methylation γ to the leaving group is possible. It is proposed that the bulky Ferrophite ligand leads to an intermediate nickel allyl species Ni^II(Me)(Ferrophite){η³-PhCHCHCH(CO₂Me)} that adopts a configuration whereby the PhCH terminus of the π-allyl and the Ni–Me are syn leading to good regio (up to 6.4:1) and stereo (up to 94% ee) selectivities.     

Reaction of isocyanides with iminophosphorane-based carbene ligands: Synthesis of unprecedented ketenimine–ruthenium complexes

The RuC bond of the bis(iminophosphorano)methandiide-based ruthenium(II) carbene complexes [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(κ²-C,N-C[P{NP(O)(OR)₂}Ph₂]₂)] (R = Et (1), Ph (2)) undergoes a C–C coupling process with isocyanides to afford ketenimine derivatives [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(κ³-C,C,N-C(CNR′)[P{NP(O)(OR)₂}Ph₂]₂)] (R = Et, R′ = Bz (3a), 2,6-C₆H₃Me₂ (3b), Cy (3c); R = Ph, R′ = Bz (4a), 2,6-C₆H₃Me₂ (4b), Cy (4c)). Compounds 3–4a–c represent the first examples of ketenimine–ruthenium complexes reported to date. Protonation of 3–4a with HBF₄ · Et₂O takes place selectively at the ketenimine nitrogen atom yielding the cationic derivatives [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(κ³-C,C,N-C(CNHBz)[P{NP(O)(OR)₂}Ph₂]₂)][BF₄] (R = Et (5a), Ph (6a)).     

Chemistry of Fischer-type rhenacyclobutadiene complexes. II. Reactions with alkynes and sulfonium ylides, and rearrangements induced by nitriles and pyridine

Further investigations into the chemistry of the rhenacyclobutadiene complexes (CO)₄Re(η²-C(R)C(CO₂Me)C(X)) (1: R=Me, X=OEt (1a), O(CH₂)₃CCH (1b), NEt₂ (1c); R=CHEt₂, X=OEt (1d); R=Ph, X=OEt (1e)) are reported. Reactions of 1 with alkynes at reflux temperature of toluene and at ambient temperature either under photochemical conditions or in the presence of PdO yield ring-substituted η⁵-cyclopentadienylrhenium tricarbonyl complexes, 2. The symmetrical alkynes R^′CCR^′ (R^′=Ph, Me, CO₂Me) afford the pentasubstituted complexes (η⁵-C₅(Me)(CO₂Me)(OEt)(Ph)(Ph))Re(CO)₃ (2d), (η⁵-C₅(Me)(CO₂Me)(OEt)(Me)(Me))Re(CO)₃ (2e), (η⁵-C₅(Me)(CO₂Me)(OEt)(CO₂Me)(CO₂Me))Re(CO)₃ (2f), and (η⁵-C₅(Me)(CO₂Me)(NEt₂)(CO₂Me)(CO₂Me))Re(CO)₃ (2i) on reaction with the appropriate 1, whereas the unsymmetrical alkynes R^′CCR″ (R^′=Ph; R″=H, Me) give either only one, (η⁵-C₅(Me)(CO₂Me)(OEt)(Ph)H)Re(CO)₃ (2a)), or both, (η⁵-C₅(Me)(CO₂Me) (OEt)(Ph)(Me))Re(CO)₃ (2b) and (η⁵-C₅(Me)(CO₂Me)(OEt)(Me)(Ph))Re(CO)₃ (2c), (η⁵-C₅(Ph)(CO₂Me)(OEt)(Ph)H)Re(CO)₃ (2g) and (η⁵-C₅(Ph)(CO₂Me)(OEt)(H)(Ph))Re(CO)₃ (2h), of the possible products of [3 + 2] cycloaddition of alkyne to η²-C(R)C(CO₂Me)C(X). Thermolysis of (CO)₄Re(η²-C(Me)C(CO₂Me)C(O(CH₂)₃CCH)) (1b) containing a pendant alkynyl group proceeds to (η⁵-C₅(Me)(CO₂Me)(O(CH₂)₃)H)Re(CO)₃ (2j), a η⁵-cyclopentadienyl-dihydropyran fused-ring product. Competition experiments showed that each of PhCCH and MeO₂CCCCO₂Me reacts faster than PhCCPh with 1a. The results with unsymmetrical alkynes are rationalized by steric properties of substituents at the CC and ReC bonds and by a preference of ReC(Me) over ReC(OEt) to undergo alkyne insertion. A mechanism is proposed that involves substitution of a trans CO by alkyne in 1, insertion of alkyne into ReC bond to give a rhenabenzene intermediate, and collapse of the latter to 2. Complexes 1a and 1d undergo rearrangement in MeCN at reflux temperature to give rhenafuran-like products, (CO)₄Re(κ²-OC(OMe)C(CHCR₂)C(OEt)) (R=H (3a) or Et (3b)). The reaction of 1d also proceeds in EtCN, PhCN, and t-BuCN at comparable temperature, but is slower (especially in t-BuCN) than in MeCN. In pyridine at reflux temperature, 1a undergoes a similar rearrangement, with CO substitution, to give (CO)₃(py)Re(κ²-OC(OMe)C(CHCEt₂)C(OEt)) (4). A mechanism is proposed for these reactions. The sulfonium ylides Me₂SCHC(O)Ph and Me₂SC(CN)₂ (Me₂SCRR^′) react with 1a in acetonitrile at reflux temperature by nucleophilic addition of the ylide to the ReC(Me) carbon, loss of Me₂S, and rearrangement to a rhenafuran-type structure to yield (CO)₄Re(κ²-OC(OMe)C(C(Me)CRR^′)C(OEt)) (R=H, R^′=C(O)Ph (5a); R=R^′CN (5b)). All new compounds were characterized by a combination of elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, and IR and NMR spectroscopy.     

New route to alkylaluminum hydroxides via hydrolysis of cyclopentadienylaluminum complexes

A novel, very simple and effective synthetic method for the formation of alkylaluminum complexes with terminal hydroxy group via hydrolysis of cyclopentadienylaluminum compounds has been found. Investigations of the hydrolysis of cyclopentadienylaluminum complexes (L)Al(Me)Cp (1) and (L)Al(Et)Cp (2) (L = HC[(CMe)(2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆ H₃N)]₂) have shown that the reaction leads to the formation of (L)Al(Me)OH (3) and (L)Al(Et)OH (4), respectively. The high selectivity of the hydrolysis was revealed. The crystal structures of 1, 2 and 4 were determined.     

Synthesis and reactivity of asymmetrically substituted ansa-bridged zirconocene complexes: X-ray crystal structures of [Zr{R(H)C(η-C5Me4)(η-C5H4)}Cl2] (R = Bu, Bu) and [Zr{Bu(H)C(η-C5Me4)(η-C5H4)}(CH2Ph)2]

The dialkyl complexes, (R = Prⁱ, R′ = Me (2a), CH₂Ph (3a); R = Buⁿ, R′ = Me (2b), CH₂Ph (3b); R = Bu^t, R′ = Me (2c), CH₂Ph (3c); R = Ph, R′ = Me (2d), CH₂Ph (3d)), have been synthesized by the reaction of the ansa-metallocene dichloride complex, [Zr{R(H)C(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] (R = Prⁱ (1a), Buⁿ (1b), Bu^t (1c), Ph (1d)), and two molar equivalents of the alkyl Gringard reagent. The insertion reaction of the isocyanide reagent, CNC₆H₃Me₂-2,6, into the zirconium-carbon σ-bond of 2 gave the corresponding η²-iminoacyl derivatives, [Zr{R(H)C(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}{η²-MeCNC₆H₃Me₂-2,6}Me] (R = Prⁱ (4a), Buⁿ (4b), Bu^t (4c), Ph (4d)). The molecular structures of 1b, 1c and 3b have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis,characterization and catalytic behaviors of neutral nickel complexes: Arylnickel N-alkyl-6-(1-(arylimino)ethyl)picolinamide

A series of novel neutral nickel complexes, aryl (phenyl or naphthyl) nickel N-alkyl-6-(1-(arylimino)ethyl)picolinamides, were synthesized and characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of the complexes C2, C3 and C7 reveal distorted square-planar geometry along with the molecular structure of one free ligand L1. On activation with diethylaluminum chloride (Et₂AlCl), the nickel complexes exhibited moderate catalytic activities for ethylene oligomerization, and the catalytic activity was up to 2.45 × 10⁵ g mol^?1(Ni) h^?1 in the presence of 1 equiv. PPh₃. Moreover, these complexes also exhibit moderate activities for Kumada–Corriu reaction and polymerization of methyl methacrylate.