Studies on the origin of cis-diastereoselectivity of the titanium-mediated cyclopropanation of carboxylic esters with Grignard reagents. Stereochemistry of the intramolecular cyclization of β-metalloketones

Datа on the stereochemistry of the intramolecular cyclization of β-metaloketones into 1,2-disubstituted cyclopropanols are in agreement with the cyclopropanation of carboxylic esters with alkoxytitanacyclopropane reagents proceeding via the β-titanoketone intermediates with the metal atom bound to a secondary carbon. Hypothesis for the origin of cis-diastereoselectivity of the cyclization of the β-titanoketones is suggested. It explains the tendency for the preferable formation of cis-1,2-disubstituted cyclopropanols by relief of repulsion strain between the ligands at the octahedral titanium atom.     

Detitanation of MgCl2‐supported Ziegler‐Natta catalysts for the study of active sites organization

Thermal treatments under vacuum of conventional supported Ziegler‐Natta precatalysts (MgCl₂/TiCl₄/Dibutylphthalate) were conducted to gradually remove titanium to modify the active sites distribution. Only limited detitanations of precatalysts were achieved paying attention not to chemically alter the internal donor (T < 150 °C). Used in combination with the required cocatalyst and external donor in the propylene slurry polymerization, the modified precatalysts exhibited a drop of activity versus decreasing titanium content but the distributed polymer properties are almost not affected (a slight narrowing of molecular weight distribution was observed). After a titanium chloride secondary impregnation (possibly done in presence of an additional Lewis base), activity resumed but polymer properties are once again unchanged. These findings highlight the difficulty to separate the different families of active sites and lead us to propose a cluster organization of titanium active sites. Active sites are composed of titanium clusters having a size distribution at the precatalyst surface, possessing a critical operating size and operating collectively in polymerization. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5461–5470, 2008     

Bis(2‐(6‐methylpyridin‐2‐yl)‐benzimidazolyl)titanium dichloride and titanium bis(6‐benzimidazolylpyridine‐2‐carboxylimidate): Synthesis,characterization, and their catalytic behaviors for ethylene polymerization

A series of 6‐(benzimidazol‐2‐yl)‐N‐organylpyridine‐2‐carboxamide were synthesized and transformed into 6‐benzimidazolylpyridine‐2‐carboxylimidate as dianionic tridentate ligands. Bis(2‐(6‐methylpyridin‐2‐yl)‐benzimidazolyl)titanium dichloride ( C1 ) and titanium bis(6‐benzimidazolylpyridine‐2‐carboxylimidate) ( C2 – C8 ) were synthesized in acceptable yields. These complexes were systematically characterized by elemental and NMR analyses. Crystallographic analysis revealed the distorted octahedral geometry around titanium in both complexes C1 and C4 . Using MAO as cocatalyst, all complexes exhibited from good to high catalytic activities for ethylene polymerization. The neutral bis(6‐benzimidazolylpyridine‐2‐carboxylimidate)titanium ( C2 – C8 ) showed high catalytic activities and good stability for prolonged reaction time and elevated reaction temperature; however, C1 showed a short lifetime in catalysis as being observed at very low activity after 5 min. The elevated reaction temperature enhanced the productivity of polyethylenes with low molecular weights, whereas the reaction with higher ethylene pressure resulted in better catalytic activity and resultant polyethylenes with higher molecular weights. At higher ratio of MAO to titanium precursor, the catalytic system generated better activity with producing polyethylenes with lower molecular weights. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 3411–3423, 2008     

Titanium tetrachloride supported on atom transfer radical polymerized poly(methyl acrylate‐co‐1‐octene) as catalyst for ethylene polymerization

Ethylene polymerizations were performed using catalyst based on titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄) supported on synthesized poly(methyl acrylate‐co‐1‐octene) (PMO). Three catalysts were synthesized by varying TiCl₄/PMO weight ratio in chlorobenzene resulting in incorporation of titanium in different percentage as determined by UV‐vis spectroscopy. The coordination of titanium with the copolymer matrix was confirmed by FTIR studies. The catalysts morphology as observed by SEM was found to be round shaped with even distributions of titanium and chlorine on the surface of catalyst. Their performance was evaluated for atmospheric polymerization of ethylene in n‐hexane using triethylaluminum as cocatalyst. Catalyst with titanium incorporation corresponding to 2.8 wt % showed maximum activity. Polyethylenes obtained were characterized for melting temperature, molecular weight, morphology and microstructure. The polymeric support utilized for TiCl₄ was synthesized using activators regenerated by electron transfer (ARGET) Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) of methyl acrylate (MA) and 1‐octene (Oct) with Cu(0)/CuBr₂/tris(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl)amine (Me₆TREN) as catalyst and ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate (EBriB) as initiator at 80 °C. The copolymer poly(methyl acrylate‐1‐octene; PMO) obtained showed monomodal curve in Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) with polydispersity of 1.37 and copolymer composition (¹H NMR; F_MA) of 0.75. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 7299–7309, 2008     

Transition metal complexes of tetradentate and bidentate Schiff bases as catalysts for ethylene polymerization: Effect of transition metal and cocatalyst

This article compares catalytic performance of ethylene polymerization in similar polymerization conditions of transition metal complexes having two ligands [O,N] (phenoxy‐imine) and having one tetradentate ligand [O,N,N,O] (salphen or salen). It is shown that the activity of both complex types as well as the product properties depend in the same way on the type of central metal in the complex and on the cocatalyst used. Although the type of ligand has some effect on the catalyst activity, yet it does not control the properties of the obtained products. The vanadium and zirconium complexes, irrespective of the cocatalyst used, yield linear polyethylene with high molecular weight (a few hundred thousand g/mol). Similar products are formed when titanium complexes activated with MAO are employed. On the other hand, the same titanium complexes in conjunction with Et₂AlCl, yield low molecular weight polyethylene (of a few thousand) and additionally a mixture of oligomers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 565–575, 2009     

Synthesis of new functionalized mono‐ and bisphosphinates with 2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenol fragments

Convenient procedures for the synthesis of functionalized mono‐ and bisphosphinates with 2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenol (ionol) fragments, starting from the available 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐benzaldehyde and its derivatives, are proposed, and some properties of the new phosphorus‐substituted sterically hindered phenols are presented. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:562–568, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20475     

Syndiospecific polymerization of styrene with BzCpTiCl3 and methylaluminoxane as cocatalysts

Benzyl cyclopentadienyl titanium trichloride (BzCpTiCl₃) was synthesized from benzyl bromide, cyclopentadienyl lithium, and titanium tetrachloride and used in combination with methylaluminoxane (MAO) for the syndiospecific polymerization of styrene. Kinetic measurements of the polymerization were carried out at different temperatures. The polymerization with BzCpTiCl₃/MAO differs from the polymerization with cyclopentadienyl titanium trichloride in its behavior toward the Al/Ti ratio. In addition, high activities are observed at high Al/Ti ratios. By analyzing the polymerization runs and the physical properties of the polymers with differential scanning calorimetry, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray scattering measurements, and gel permeation chromatography, we found that the phenyl ring coordinates to the titanium atom during polymerization. Other known substitutions of the cyclopentadienyl ring (V. Scholz, Dissertation, University of Hamburg, 1998) in principle influence the polymerization activity. The physical properties of the polymers produced by the catalysts already known are nearly identical. BzCpTiCl₃ is the first catalyst that leads to polystyrene obviously different from the polystyrene produced by other highly active catalysts. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2805–2812, 2001     

Selective organic synthesis through generation and reactivity control of hyper‐coordinate metal species

This paper is a review of my 40 years of research at Kyoto, Sagamihara, and Yokohama, all based on the generation of hyper‐coordinate metal species such as ate complexes and pentacoordinate silicates. The topics are: (i) carbenoid reagents for carbon–carbon bond‐forming reactions, (ii) nucleophilic substitution at acetal carbons using aluminate reagents, (iii) preparation of magnesium enolates and its reaction with nitriles, (iv) Cr(II) reagents for reduction of organic halides and highly selective carbon–carbon bond formation, (v) organic synthesis with organosilion reagents/fluoride ions, (vi) cross‐coupling reaction of organosilicon compounds, and (vii) silicon‐based conjugate addition to α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl acceptors. © 2008 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Chem Rec 8: 337–350; 2008: Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ) DOI 10.1002/tcr.20162     

The unexpected chemistry of a bis(phospholyl)acetylene

The reaction of lithium 3,4‐dimethyl‐phospholide with tetrachloroethylene gives the corresponding 1,2‐bis(phospholyl)acetylene that has been characterized by X‐ray crystal structure analysis of its bis(pentacarbonylmolybdenum) complex. The reaction with sulfur leads to the corresponding disulfide that spontaneously undergoes a self‐condensation via a Diels‐‐Alder cycloaddition between the CC triple bond and the phosphole dienic system giving, after aromatization by loss of the phosphorus bridge, the corresponding 1,2‐bis(phospholyl)benzene. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:537–541, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20457     

Thiol–thione tautomeric forms recognition on the example of 4‐[3‐(2‐methyl‐furan‐3‐yl)‐5‐thioxo‐1,2,4‐triazolin‐4‐yl]acetic acid

The synthesis of 4‐[3‐(2‐methyl‐furan‐3‐yl)‐5‐thioxo‐1,2,4‐triazolin‐4‐yl]acetic acid, its structural study in the solid state, and the thiol–thione tautomeric recognition on the basis of spectroscopic data and theoretical calculations are presented. It is shown that NMR spectra, especially ¹³C and ¹⁵N, are indicative of the actual tautomeric form whereas vibrational data can be ambiguous. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:337–344, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20433     

Copolymerization of ethylene with cycloolefins by titanium complexes containing tridentate [o−NSR] ligands

A family of titanium complexes of the general formula [N‐(3,5‐di‐tert‐butylsalicylidene)‐2‐alkylsulfanylanilinato]Ti(IV)Cl₃ 5a – f was prepared from the reaction of TiCl₄ with the potassium salts of the corresponding ligands. These complexes were fully characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and elemental analyses. The molecular structures of 5b and 5e were further confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray analyses. Complexes 5a – f (except for 5c ) exhibited good to high catalytic activities in ethylene copolymerization with cycloolefins such as norbornene, cyclopentene, dicyclopentadiene in the presence of modified methylaluminoxane. The reaction conditions and the steric hindrance of the alkyl substituents on sulfur atom in the precatalysts influenced strongly the copolymerization behaviors and the structures of the resultant copolymers. Complex 5c with bulky tert‐butylthio sidearm showed both low catalytic activity and comonomer incorporation ratio. The n‐alkylthio complexes 5a , 5d – f all exhibited good ethylene copolymerization capabilities with cycloolefins, which is superior to the corresponding phenylthio complex 5g . © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. JPolym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2807–2819, 2008     

The future of reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization

We examine the reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process with regard to its potential and limits in future industrial applications (including those conducted on a larger scale) as well as materials science. The outlook for the RAFT process is bright: Its unrivaled inherent process simplicity coupled with a wide tolerance to monomer classes and functionalities makes it a prime candidate for the use in large reactors. At the same time, it allows for ready access to complex macromolecular architectures of variable shape and size. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5715–5723, 2008     

Synthesis of Organophosphorus‐Substituted Amides of Carbonic Acids with PCHNC(O) and 2,6‐Di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenol Fragments

Convenient procedures for the synthesis of new organophosphorus‐substituted amides of various carbonic acids with PCHNC(O) and 2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenol (ionol) fragments, starting from the adducts of imines and acyl chlorides, are proposed. Some properties of the new synthesized organophosphorus amides are presented. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:733–737, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20502     

Titanium and zirconium complexes containing modified TREN ligands for the polymerization of 1‐alkenes—A comparative study

The titanium and zirconium complexes in C₃ and C_s symmetric forms synthesized from corresponding aminotriols in combination with MAO polymerized 1‐hexene in a controlled manner. When the polymerization temperature was lowered, they gave high molecular weight monodisperse polyhexene with narrow polydispersities indicating quazi‐living systems. The isotactic polyhexene obtained from C₃ titanium catalyst has the molecular weight of around 46,500 with PDI of 1.3 and the hemi‐isotactic polymer from C_s titanium catalyst has the molecular weight of around 617,000 with PDI of 1.3. The analogues zirconium complexes upon activation with MAO polymerize hexene to give polyhexene having molecular weight of 53,000 (C₃) and 626,000 (pseudo‐C_s) with PDI ranging from 1.2 to 1.4. The MIX‐titanium catalyst prepared from the 50:50 mixture of aminotriols was also able to polymerize 1‐hexene and the GPC traces of the polyhexene suggests that even though the catalyst was formed from the mixture of aminotriols, the C₃ and C_s symmetry of the catalysts retain its originality avoiding the formation of aggregates or polymeric forms. When one of the arms of aminotriol was methylated yield C₂ and meso aminodiol ligands and their corresponding titanium and zirconium complexes gave higher molecular weight polyhexenes with lower PDI (C₂‐Zr‐M_n: 260,000; PDI: 1.05–1.10; mesoZr‐M_n: 220,000; PDI: 1.05–1.10) possibly suggesting that these systems are close to living systems. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5470–5479, 2007     

Vanadium complex with tetradentate [O,N,N,O] ligand supported on magnesium type carrier for ethylene homopolymerization and copolymerization

Immobilization of 1,2‐cyclohexylenebis(5‐chlorosalicylideneiminato)vanadium dichloride on the magnesium support obtained in the reaction of MgCl₂·3.4EtOH with Et₂AlCl gives a highly active precursor for ethylene homopolymerization and its copolymerization with 1‐octene. This catalyst exhibits the highest activity in conjunction with MAO, but it is also highly active with AlMe₃ as a cocatalyst. On the other hand, when combined with chlorinated alkylaluminum compounds, Et₂AlCl and EtAlCl₂, it gives traces of polyethylene. Moreover, its catalytic activity is strongly affected by the reaction temperature: it increased with rising polymerization temperature from 20 °C to 60 °C. The kinetic curves obtained for the supported vanadium catalyst, in contrast to its titanium analogue, are of decay type, yet the reduction in the polymerization rate is rather moderate in the early stages of polymerization, and then it is relatively very slow. The vanadium catalyst gives copolymers at a lower yield than the titanium one does, but with the significantly higher 1‐octene content. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 471–478, 2010     

Dramatic electronic effect of fluoro substituents on the olefin polymerization activity of mono β‐diiminato titanium complexes

A series of new mono β‐diiminato titanium complexes [(N(Ar)C(CH₃))₂ CH]TiCl₃ ( 3a : Ar = 2.6‐F₂C₆H₃; 3b : Ar = C₆F₅; 3c : Ar = 2.6‐Me₂C₆H₃) have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure of 3a revealed that the β‐diiminato ligand in our complex is more close to the η²‐coordination mode with little delocalization of the double bonds, which is different from the strong delocalization in the ligands of η⁵‐coordinated (Tolnacnac)TiCl₃ and η²‐coordinated (Dipnacnac)ZrCl₃. The significant electronic effects of fluoro‐substituents on the olefin polymerization activity of mono β‐diiminato titanium complexes were found. Titanium complexes with fluorine‐containing β‐diiminato ligands, on activation with MMAO, are extremely active catalysts for polymerization of ethylene. The activity of copolymerization of ethylene and 1‐hexene is higher than homopolymerization of ethylene and increases with the increase of 1‐hexene concentrations, which show the positive “comonomer effect.” The molar percentage of 1‐hexene incorporation and polymer microstructures can also be modulated by the initial comonomer concentrations. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 211–217, 2008     

LiClO4 catalyzed mild and efficient method for the synthesis of thiiranes from oxiranes

Oxiranes are efficiently converted to the corresponding thiiranes by potassium thiocyanate in the presence of catalytic amounts of LiClO₄ with excellent yields under mild and nonaqueous conditions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:97–99, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20376     

Synthesis and conformational analysis of a small meta‐cyclophane,bis(5‐carbomethoxy‐1,3‐phenylene)‐14‐crown‐4

A small cyclophane, bis(5‐carbometh‐oxy‐1,3‐phenylene)‐14‐crown‐4 (BCMP14C4, 3 ) and its diacid, bis(5‐carboxy‐1,3‐phenylene)‐14‐crown‐4 ( 4 ), were synthesized and characterized. The solid‐state molecular structures of 3 and 4 were determined by X‐ray crystallography as ladder or stepped conformations in which the two aromatic rings are antiparallel to each other without overlap and the ethylene tethers both take trans‐conformations. Diester 3 is formed in the lowest cyclization yield (under the same reaction conditions) and exhibits the highest melting point compared to its larger ring (20‐, 26‐ and 32‐membered) analogs. In CD₂Cl₂ solution, diester 3 exists predominantly as a nonplanar gauche–gauche structure as deduced by H NMR studies. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:48–54, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20393     

Solvent effects in the polymerization of propylene catalyzed by octahedral complexes

The effect of solvents (toluene, dichloromethane, and hexane) was studied on the polymerization of propylene with the octahedral complexes bis(trimethylsilyl)benzamidinate titanium dichloride(a), bis(acetylacetonate) titanium dichloride(b), and bis(diethylamino) titanium di‐2‐(diphenylphosphanylamino)pyridine as catalytic precursors and methylalumoxane as the cocatalyst. For comparison, the polymerization was also performed in plain liquid propylene without the addition of any solvent. The obtained polymers were fractionated by refluxing hexane. The activity of the complexes and the molecular weights and tacticities of the whole polymers and their different fractions were the studied parameters. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4505–4516, 2005     

Synthesis and fungicidal activity of O‐alkyl O‐aryl O‐2‐(stearamido)ethyl phosphates

N‐stearoylethanolamine (NAE18:0) was reacted with O‐alkyl O‐aryl chlorophosphate and a series of O‐alkyl O‐aryl O‐2‐(stearamido)ethyl phosphates were synthesized to explore their antifungal activity. Compared with parent NAE18:0, title compounds without substitution or with methyl substitution on a benzene ring exhibited improved antifungal activity. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:602–608, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20485