Synthesis and characterization of phosphorous-bridged bisphenoxy titanium complexes and their application to ethylene polymerization

Phosphorous-bridged bisphenoxy titanium complexes were synthesized and their ethylene polymerization behavior was investigated. Bis[3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy](phenyl)phosphine tetrahydrofuran titanium dichloride (4a) was obtained by treatment of 3 equiv of n-BuLi with bis[3-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl](phenyl)phosphine hydrochloride salt (3a) followed by TiCl₄(THF)₂ in THF. THF-free complexes 5a-5d were synthesized more conveniently by the direct reaction of MOM-protected ligands (2a-2d) with TiCl₄ in toluene. X-ray analysis of 4a revealed that the ligand is bonded to the octahedral titanium (IV) center in a facial fashion and two chlorine atoms possess cis-geometry. Complexes 4a and 5a-5d were utilized as catalyst precursors for ethylene polymerization. Complex 5c gave high molecular weight polyethylene (M_w = 1,170,000, M_w/M_n = 2.0) upon activation with Al(ⁱBu)₃/[Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] (TB). Ethylene polymerization activity of 5d activated with Al(ⁱBu)₃/TB reached 49.0 × 10⁶ g mol (cat) ⁻¹ h⁻¹.     

Synthesis and characterization of titanium and zirconium complexes with silicone-bridged phenoxycyclopentadienyl ligands

Dimethylsilyl(2,3,4,5-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titanium dichloride (1a), a useful catalyst precursor for olefin copolymerization, was synthesized at high yield starting from allyl-protected phenolic ligand 3a,which was first treated with 2 equiv. of n-BuLi to selectively give the dilithium salt of 3a along with 1-heptene, a coupling product of a protected allyl ether moiety and butyl anion. Addition of TiCl₄ to the resulting dilithium salt of 3a in toluene afforded 1a in 50% isolated yield. This methodology could be applied to the preparation of related titanium and zirconoium complexes 1b-1d, 8 with silicone-bridged Cp-phenoxy ligands, whereas the reaction starting from methyl-protected precursor 2a did not produce the zirconium complex 8. Copolymerization of ethylene and 1-hexene with the newly prepared complexes was also investigated.     

Synthesis, structure and ethylene polymerization behavior of titanium phosphinoamide complexes

(Phosphinoamide)(cyclopentadienyl)titanium(IV) complexes of the type Cp*TiCl₂(η²-Ph₂PNR) [Cp*=C₅Me₅; R = t-Bu (2a), R = n-Bu (2b), R = Ph (2c)] have been prepared by the reaction of Cp*TiCl₃ with the corresponding lithium phosphinoamides. The structure of Cp*TiCl₂(η²-Ph₂PN^tBu) (2a) and Cp*TiCl₂(η²-Ph₂PNPh) (2c) have been determined by X-ray crystallography. These complexes exhibited moderate catalytic activities for ethylene polymerization in the presence of modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO). Catalytic activity of up to 2.5 × 10⁶ g/(mol Ti h) was observed when activated by i-Bu₃Al/Ph₃CB(C₆F₅)₄.     

o-Phenylene-bridged Cp/amido titanium and zirconium complexes and their polymerization reactivity

o-Phenylene-bridged trimethylcyclopentadienyl/amido titanium complexes [(η⁵-2,3,5-Me₃C₅H)C₆H₄NR-κN]TiCl₂ (18, R = CH₃; 19, R = CH₂CH₃; 20, R = CH₂C(CH₃)₃; 21, R = CH₂(C₆H₁₁)) and zirconium complexes {[(η⁵-2,3,5-Me₃C₅H)C₆H₄NR-κN]ZrCl-μCl}₂ (22, R = CH₃; 23, R = CH₂CH₃; 24, R = CH₂C(CH₃)₃; 25, R = CH₂(C₆H₁₁); 26, R = C₆H₁₁; 27, R = CH(CH₂CH₃)₂) are prepared via a key step of the Suzuki-coupling reaction between 2-dihydroxyboryl-3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one (2) and the corresponding bromoaniline compounds. The molecular structures of titanium complexes 18 and 19 and dinuclear zirconium complexes 24 and 26 were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The Cp(centroid)-Ti-N and Cp(centroid)-Zr-N angles are smaller, respectively, than those observed for the Me₂Si-bridged complex [Me₂Si(η⁵-Me₄C₅)(N^tBu)]TiCl₂ and its Zr-analogue, indicating that the o-phenylene-bridged complexes are more constrained than the Me₂Si-bridged complex. Titanium complex 19 exhibits comparable activity and comonomer incorporation to the CGC ([Me₂Si(η⁵-Me₄C₅)(N^tBu)]TiCl₂) in ethylene/1-octene copolymerization. Complex 19 produces a higher molecular-weight polymer than CGC.     

Photochemistry of tris(pyrazolyl)borate titanium(IV) complexes

The electronic features and photochemistry of TpTiCl₃ (1) (Tp = hydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate) and Tp*TiCl₃ (2) (Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate) were studied in THF. Reactive decay of the excited states produced either (or ) and metal center Ti(III) radicals via homolytic cleavage of the Tp → Ti (Tp* → Ti) bond. Cleavage of the Tp → Ti and the Tp* → Ti bond as a primary photoprocess is shown to be consistent with LMCT Tp → Ti and Tp* → Ti excitation. TpTiCl₂(THF) (3) and Tp*TiCl₂(THF) (4) were also prepared by stoichiometric reduction of 1 and 2 with Li₃N. The THF ligand in 3 and 4 was replaced by the stable nitroxyl radical TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy) to provide the new complexes TpTiCl₂(TEMPO) (5) and Tp*TiCl₂(TEMPO) (6) in which the TEMPO ligand is η¹ coordinated to Ti(IV). Photolysis of 5 and 6 generate Ti(III) and the TEMPO radical in the primary photochemical step.     

Organometallic consequences of a redox reaction: Terminal trimethylsilylmethylidene titanium complexes prepared by a one-electron oxidation step

One-electron oxidation of the titanium(III) bis-trimethylsilylmethyl complex (nacnac)Ti(CH₂SiMe₃)₂ (1) (nacnac⁻ = [ArNC(Me)]₂CH, Ar = 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃), readily prepared from (nacnac)TiCl₂(THF) and 2 equiv. of LiCH₂SiMe₃ in Et₂O, with AgOTf results in formation of the five-coordinate and terminal titanium alkylidene complex (nacnac)TiCHSiMe₃(OTf)(THF) (2)-THF concurrent with extrusion of tetramethylsilane and precipitation of silver metal. Complex 2-THF eliminates THF slowly under dynamic vacuum to generate the four-coordinate alkylidene 2 along with some decomposition products. Alternatively, the four-coordinate and non-solvento alkylidene complex, 2, can be prepared from 1 and AgOTf in pentane. Complex 2 undergoes cross-metathesis transformation to afford [ArNC(Me)CHC(Me)CHSiMe₃]TiNAr(OTf) (3) as the major product after 34 h at room temperature. Complexes 1, 2, 2-THF, and 3 have been fully characterized spectroscopically, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis for 1 and 2-THF are presented.     

Titanium complexes with novel triaryl-substituted phosphinimide ligands: Synthesis, structure and ethylene polymerization behavior

A series of titanium phosphinimide complexes [Ph₂P(2-RO-C₆H₄)]₂TiCl₂ (7, R = CH₃; 8, R = CHMe₂) and [PhP(2-Me₂CHO-C₆H₄)][THF]TiCl₃ (9) have been prepared by reaction of TiCl₄ with the corresponding phosphinimines under dehalosilylation. The structure of complex 9 has been determined by X-ray crystallography, and a solvent molecule THF was found to be coordinated with the central metal and the Ti-O bond was consistent with the normal Ti-O (donor) bond length. The complexes 7 and 8 displayed inactive to ethylene polymerization, and the complex 9 displayed moderate activity in the presence of modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) or i-Bu₃Al/Ph₃CB(C₆F₅)₄, and this should be partly attributed to coordination of THF with titanium and the steric effect of two iso-propoxyl. And catalytic activity up to 32.2 kg-PE/(mol-Ti h bar) was observed.     

Synthesis, structures, and catalytic properties for ethylene polymerization of bridged [η,η-C5H4CHPhArO]TiCl2 complexes

A number of bridged half-sandwich titanium complexes [η⁵:η¹-2-C₅H₄CHPh-4-R¹-6-R²C₆H₂O]TiCl₂ [R¹ = H (5), Me (6), ^tBu (7, 8); R² = H (6, 7), ^tBu (5, 8)] were synthesized from the reaction of their corresponding trimethylsilyl substituted ligand precursors 2-Me₃SiC₅H₄CHPh-4-R¹-6-R²C₆H₂OSiMe₃ [R¹ = H (1), Me (2), ^tBu (3, 4); R² = H (2, 3), ^tBu (1, 4)] with TiCl₄ in hexane. All new complexes were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Molecular structures of complexes 5 and 8 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Upon activation with AlⁱBu₃/Ph₃CB (C₆F₅)₄, complexes 5-8 exhibit reasonable catalytic activity for ethylene polymerization and copolymerization with 1-hexene, producing polyethylene and poly(ethylene-co-1-hexene) with moderate molecular weights.     

Dinuclear titanium complexes with methylphenylsilylene bridge between cyclopentadienyl rings. Synthesis, characterization and reactivity towards ethylene

The new ansa-titanocene dichloride [{(SiMePh)(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂}TiCl₂] (1) was prepared by one pot reaction, whereas synthesis of its methylated analogue [{(SiMePh)(η⁵-C₅Me₄)₂}TiCl₂] (3) was performed in two steps with isolation of corresponding silane intermediate SiMePh(HC₅Me₄)₂ (2). The reaction of 1 and 3 with TiCl₄ afforded the dinuclear complexes [(SiMePh){(η⁵-C₅R₄)TiCl₃}₂] (R = H (4) and R = Me (5)). The catalysts formed from 4 and 5 after their activation with excess MAO exhibited a modest activity in ethylene polymerization. The polymer products consisted of high molar mass linear polyethylenes with a broad molar mass distribution. The presence of three paramagnetic titanium species in the mixture 4/MAO was revealed by EPR spectroscopy. All new prepared compounds 1-5 were characterized by multinuclear NMR, EI-MS, IR, and solid-state structures of 1, 3 and 5 were determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction.     

Synthesis and structures of o-phenylene-bridged Cp/phosphinoamide titanium complexes

Addition of R′₂PCl to anilines substituted with di- or trimethylcyclopentadienyl unit at ortho-position affords ortho-phenylene-bridged Me₂Cp or Me₃Cp/phosophinoamide ligands, 2-(RMe₂C₅H₂)C₆H₄NHPR′₂ (R = Me or H; R′ = Ph, iPr, or Cyclohexyl). Successive addition of Ti(NMe₂)₄ and Me₂SiCl₂ to the ligands affords the desired dichlorotitanium complexes, [2-(η⁵-RMe₂C₅H)C₆H₄NPR′ ₂− κ²N,P]TiCl₂ (R = H, R′ = Ph, 9; R = Me, R′ = Ph, 10; R = H, R′ = iPr, 11; R = Me, R′ = iPr, 12; R = H, R′ = Cy, 13; R = Me, R′ = Cy, 14). By using Zr(NMe₂)₄ instead of Ti(NMe₂)₄, a zirconium complex, [2-(η⁵-Me₃C₅H)C₆H₄NP(iPr)₂−κ²N,P]ZrCl₂ (15) is prepared. Molecular structures of 10, 14 and [2-(η⁵-Me₂C₅H₂)C₆H₄NPPh₂− κN]Ti(NMe₂)₂ (16) were determined. The metric parameters determined on the X-ray crystallographic studies and the chemical shifts of the ³¹P NMR signal indicate that the phosphorous atom coordinates to the titanium in the dichloro-complexes 9-15. The titanium and zirconium complexes show negligible activity in ethylene and ethylene/1-hexene (co)polymerization when activated with MAO or iBu₃Al/[Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄].     

Synthesis and characterization of cyclopentadienyl/alkoxo titanium dichlorides: structural analysis of monocyclopentadienyl titanium dichlorides with ligands derived from menthol and borneol

A variety of monocyclopentadienyl alkoxo titanium dichloride and bisalkoxo titanium dichloride complexes have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. The titanium derivatives containing both cyclopentadienyl and various alkoxo ligands [Ti(η⁵-C₅H₅)(OR)Cl₂] (1-5) have been synthesized from the reaction of [Ti(η⁵-C₅H₅)Cl₃] with 1 equivalent of the corresponding alcohol in THF in the presence of triethylamine (ROH = Adamantanol, 1R,2S,5R-(−)-menthol, 1S-endo-(−)-borneol, cis-1,3-(−)-benzylideneglycerol, 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-galactopyranose). The bisalkoxo titanium dichloride derivatives [TiCl₂(OR)₂] (6-10) have been prepared by a redistribution reaction between Ti(OR)₄ and TiCl₄ compounds 6-8 (OR = Adamantanoxy, (1R,2S,5R)-(−)menthoxy, (1S-endo)-(−)-borneoxy) and by reaction of [Ti(OR)₂(OPrⁱ)₂]₂ with CH₃COCl compounds 9 and 10 (OR = 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-galactopyranoxy, and 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranoxy). The molecular structures of 2 and 3 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Ruthenium titanocene and ruthenium titanium half-sandwich bimetallic complexes in catalytic cyclopropanation

The reaction of the phosphine functionalised titanium half-sandwich complexes 7, 9 and 10 with the binuclear complex [(p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂ allowed the access to three new early-late bimetallic complexes (p-cymene)[(μ-η⁵:η¹-C₅H₄(CH₂)_nPR₂)TiX₃]RuCl₂ (11-13). The structure of 11 (n = 0, X = Cl) has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The ruthenium titanium half-sandwich bimetallic complexes so formed and the ruthenium titanocene analogues 4-6 catalyse the addition of ethyl diazoacetate to styrene with high selectivity toward cyclopropanation versus metathesis contrary to the monometallic complexes (p-cymene)RuCl₂PR₃.     

Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activities in syndiospecific polymerization of styrene for half-sandwich titanium complexes with non-Cp tridentate dianionic ligands MeN(CH2CR2O)2

New half-titanocenes, Cp^∗TiCl[(OCR₂CH₂)NMe(CH₂CR^′₂O)] [R,R′ = H (1), R,R′ = Me, H, (2), R,R′ = Me (3)], were prepared from Cp^∗TiCl₃ (4) with the corresponding alcohols in the presence of triethylamine. X-ray analysis shows that 1 has slightly distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry around Ti. These complexes exhibited moderate catalytic activities for syndiospecific styrene polymerization in the presence of MAO and the activity increased in the order: 2 > 1 > 4 > 3 (at 50 °C), 1 > 2 > 4 > 3 (at 70 °C and 90 °C).     

Titanium complexes bearing aromatic-substituted β-enaminoketonato ligands: Syntheses, structure and olefin polymerization behavior

A series of titanium complexes [(Ar)NC(CF₃)CHC(R)O]₂TiCl₂ (4b: Ar = -C₆H₄OMe(p), R = Ph; 4c: Ar = -C₆H₄Me(p), R = Ph; 4d: Ar = -C₆H₄Me(o), R = Ph; 4e: Ar = α-Naphthyl, R = Ph; 4f: Ar = -C₆H₅, R = t-Bu; 4g: Ar = -C₆H₄OMe(p); R = t-Bu; 4h: Ar = -C₆H₄Me(p); R = t-Bu; 4i: Ar = -C₆H₄Me(o); R = t-Bu) has been synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystal structures reveal that complexes 4b, 4c and 4h adopt distorted octahedral geometry around the titanium center. With modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) as a cocatalyst, complexes 4b-c and 4f-i are active catalysts for ethylene polymerization and ethylene/norbornene copolymerization, and produce high molecular weight polyethylenes and ethylene/norbornene alternating copolymers. In addition, the complex 4c/MMAO catalyst system exhibits the characteristics of a quasi-living copolymerization of ethylene and norbornene with narrow molecular weight distribution.     

Titanium and zirconium complexes with novel phenoxy-phosphinimine ligands

A series of novel phenoxy-phosphinimine ligands (L): L = 2-(Ph₂PNR), 4, 6-(CMe₃)₂-C₆H₂OH [2, R = SiMe₃; 3, R = Ph] have been prepared in the yield of 65-71%. And bis(phenoxy-phosphinimide) group 4 complexes of the type L₂MCl₂ [4, M = Ti, R = SiMe₃; 5, M = Zr, R = SiMe₃; 6, M = Ti, R = Ph; 7, M = Zr, R = Ph] have been synthesized by the reaction of the ligands with TiCl₄ and ZrCl₄. The structure of complex 7 has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The complexes 4-7 showed inactive to ethylene polymerization in the presence of modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) and i-Bu₃Al/Ph₃CB(C₆ F₅)₄. These results should be caused by overdoing the steric congestion around central metal.     

Ethylene polymerization by novel phenylenedimethylene bridged homobinuclear titanocene/MAO systems

Reaction of (o, m, p) disodium(phenylenedimethylene)dicyclopentadienide C₆H₄(CH₂C₅H₄Na)₂ with 2 equiv of (MeCp)TiCl₃ yields the phenylenedimethylene bridged binuclear titanocenes complexes [(MeC₅H₄)TiCl₂](C₅H₄CH₂C₆H₄CH₂C₅H₄)[(MeC₅H₄)TiCl₂] (3, 4, 5) in high yield, which were characterized by ¹H NMR and elemental analysis. They were used successfully as efficient catalysts for ethylene polymerization in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO). The catalytic activities of 4 and 5 are somewhat higher than that of 3 and the molecular weight distributions (MWD = 4.8-6.2) of the polymers generated from the bimetallic catalytic systems are obviously higher than that obtained by conventional Cp₂TiCl₂.     

Syntheses, structure and ethylene polymerization behavior of β-diiminato titanium complexes

A series of new titanium complexes bearing β-diiminato ligands [(Ph)NC(R₁)CHC(R₂)N(Ph)]₂TiCl₂ (4a: R₁ = R₂ = CH₃; 4b: R₁ = R₂ = CF₃; 4c: R₁ = Ph, R₂ = CH₃; 4d: R₁ = Ph, R₂ = CF₃) has been synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystal structures reveal that complexes 4a and 4c adopt distorted octahedral geometry around the titanium center. With modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) as a cocatalyst, complexes 4a-d are active catalysts for ethylene polymerization, and produce high molecular weight polyethylenes. Catalyst activities and the molecular weights of polymers are considerably influenced by the steric and electronic effects of substituents on the catalyst backbone under the same polymerization condition. With the strong electron-withdrawing groups (CF₃) at R₁ or/and R₂ position, complexes 4b and 4d show higher activities than complexes 4a and 4c, respectively.     

Synthesis of novel multidentate carbohydrate-triazole ligands

Cu(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (click reaction) of 1 mol equiv of N,N′-di-prop-2-ynyl-phthalamide (1a), N,N′-di-prop-2-ynyl-isophthalamide (1b), and pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid bis-prop-2-ynylamide (1c), respectively with 2 mol equiv of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl azide (2a), 2-azidoethyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (2b), and 2-azidoethyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranoside (2c), respectively, afforded the corresponding bis-cycloadducts 3-5, containing two 1,2,3-triazole moieties each, in 38-76% yield. Reaction of 1 mol equiv of 2c with 1 mol equiv of 1c under otherwise identical conditions gave the mono-cycloadduct 6, containing one 1,2,3-triazole and one 2-propynylamide moiety, in 77% yield. Reaction of 6 with 2a afforded 7, containing two different sugar moieties, in 67% yield.     

Synthesis and characterization of aluminum complexes of 2-pyrazol-1-yl-ethenolate ligands

The synthesis and the characterization of some new aluminum complexes with bidentate 2-pyrazol-1-yl-ethenolate ligands are described. 2-(3,5-Disubstituted pyrazol-1-yl)-1-phenylethanones, 1-PhC(O)CH₂-3,5-R₂C₃HN₂ (1a, R = Me; 1b, R = Bu^t), were prepared by solventless reaction of 3,5-dimethyl pyrazole or 3,5-di-tert-butyl pyrazole with PhC(O)CH₂Br. Reaction of 1a or 1b with (R¹ = Me, Et) yielded N,O-chelate alkylaluminum complexes (2a, R = R¹ = Me; 2b, R = Bu^t, R¹ = Me; 2c, R = Me, R¹ = Et). Compound 1a was readily lithiated with LiBuⁿ in thf or toluene to give lithiated species 3. Treatment of 3 with 0.5 equiv of MeAlCl₂ or AlCl₃ yielded five-coordinated aluminum complexes [XAl(OC(Ph)CH{(3,5-Me₂C₃HN₂)-1})₂] (4, X = Me; 5, X = Cl). Reaction of 5 with an equiv of LiHBEt₃ generated [Al(OC(Ph)CH{(3,5-Me₂C₃HN₂)-1})₃] (6). Complex 6 was also obtained by reaction of 3 with 1/3 equiv of AlCl₃. Treatment of 5 with 2 equiv of AlMe₃ yielded complex 2a, whereas with an equiv of AlMe₃ afforded a mixture of 2a and [Me(Cl)AlOC(Ph)CH{(3,5-Me₂C₃HN₂)-1}] (7). Compounds 1a, 1b, 2a-2c and 4-6 were characterized by elemental analyses, NMR and IR (for 1a and 1b) spectroscopy. The structures of complexes 2a and 5 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Both 2a and 5 are monomeric in the solid state. The coordination geometries of the aluminum atoms are a distorted tetrahedron for 2a or a distorted trigonal bipyramid for 5.