Synthesis of laterally attached side‐chain liquid‐crystalline polynorbornenes with high mesogen density by ring‐opening metathesis polymerization

(±)‐exo,endo‐5,6‐Bis{[[11′‐[2″,5″‐bis[2‐(3′‐fluoro‐4′‐n‐alkoxyphenyl)ethynyl]phenyl]undecyl]oxy]carbonyl}bicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐2‐ene (n = 1–12) monomers were polymerized by ring‐opening metathesis polymerization in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature with Mo(CHCMe₂Ph)(N‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂Ph)(O^tBu)₂ as the initiator to produce polymers with number‐average degrees of polymerization of 8–37 and relatively narrow polydispersities (polydispersity index = 1.08–1.31). The thermotropic behavior of these materials was independent of the molecular weight and therefore representative of that of a polymer at approximately 15 repeat units. The polymers exhibited an enantiotropic nematic mesophase when n was 2 or greater. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4076–4087, 2006     

Olefin polymerization and copolymerization with soluble transition‐metal complex catalysts

Olefin polymerizations catalyzed by Cp′TiCl₂(O‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) ( 1 – 5 ; Cp′ = cyclopentadienyl group), RuCl₂(ethylene)(pybox) { 7 ; pybox = 2,6‐bis[(4S)‐4‐isopropyl‐2‐oxazolin‐2‐yl]pyridine}, and FeCl₂(pybox) ( 8 ) were investigated in the presence of a cocatalyst. The Cp*TiCl₂(O‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) ( 5 )–methylaluminoxane (MAO) catalyst exhibited remarkable catalytic activity for both ethylene and 1‐hexene polymerizations, and the effect of the substituents on the cyclopentadienyl group was an important factor for the catalytic activity. A high level of 1‐hexene incorporation and a lower r_E · r_H value with 5 than with [Me₂Si(C₅Me₄)(N^tBu)]TiCl₂ ( 6 ) were obtained, despite the rather wide bond angle of Cp Ti O (120.5°) of 5 compared with the bond angle of Cp Ti N of 6 (107.6°). The 7 –MAO catalyst exhibited moderate catalytic activity for ethylene homopolymerization and ethylene/1‐hexene copolymerization, and the resultant copolymer incorporated 1‐hexene. The 8 –MAO catalyst also exhibited activity for ethylene polymerization, and an attempted ethylene/1‐hexene copolymerization gave linear polyethylene. The efficient polymerization of a norbornene macromonomer bearing a ring‐opened poly(norbornene) substituent was accomplished by ringopening metathesis polymerization with the well‐defined Mo(CHCMe₂Ph)(N‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)[OCMe(CF₃)₂]₂ ( 10 ). The key step for the macromonomer synthesis was the exclusive end‐capping of the ring‐opened poly(norbornene) with p‐Me₃SiOC₆H₄CHO, and the use of 10 was effective for this polymerization proceeding with complete conversion. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 4613–4626, 2000     

Dinuclear neodymium and lanthanum bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) phosphate complexes bearing a hydroxide ligand: catalytic activity of the Nd complex in 1,3‐diene polymerization

The reactions of K[(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃‐O)₂POO] either with LaCl₃(H₂O)₇ or with Nd(NO₃)₃(H₂O)₆ in a 3:1 molar ratio, followed by vacuum drying and recrystallization from alkanes, have led to the formation of diaquapentakis[bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) phosphato]‐μ‐hydroxido‐dilanthanum hexane disolvate, [La₂(C₂₄H₃₄O₄P)₅(OH)(H₂O)₂]·2C₆H₁₄, ( 1 )·2(hexane), and tetraaquatetrakis[bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) phosphato]‐μ‐hydroxido‐dineodymium bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) phosphate heptane disolvate, [Nd₂(C₂₄H₃₄O₄P)₄(OH)(H₂O)₄]·2C₆H₁₄, ( 2 )·2(heptane). The compounds crystalize in the P2₁/n and P space groups, respectively. The diaryl‐substituted organophosphate ligand exhibits three different coordination modes, viz. κ²O,O′‐terminal [in ( 1 ) and ( 2 )], κO‐terminal [in ( 1 )] and μ₂‐κ¹O:κ¹O′‐bridging [in ( 1 ) and ( 2 )]. Binuclear structures ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) are similar and have the same unique Ln₂(μ‐OH)(μ‐OPO)₂ core. The structure of ( 2 ) consists of an [Nd₂{(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃‐O)₂POO}₄(OH)(H₂O)₄]⁺ cation and a [(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃‐O)₂POO]⁻ anion, which are bound via four intermolecular O—H…O hydrogen bonds. The molecular structure of ( 1 ) displays two O—H…O hydrogen bonds between OH/H₂O ligands and a κ¹O‐terminal organophosphate ligand, which resembles, to some extent, the `free' [(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃‐O)₂POO]⁻ anion in ( 2 ). NMR studies have shown that the formation of ( 1 ) undoubtedly occurs due to intramolecular hydrolysis during vacuum drying of the aqueous La tris(phosphate) complex. Catalytic experiments have demonstrated that the presence of the coordinated hydroxide anion and water molecules in precatalyst ( 2 ) substantially lowered the catalytic activity of the system prepared from ( 2 ) in butadiene and isoprene polymerization compared to the catalytic system based on the neodymium tris[bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) phosphate] complex, which contains neither OH nor H₂O ligands.     

Highly reactive polyisobutylenes via AlCl3OBu2‐coinitiated cationic polymerization of isobutylene: Effect of solvent polarity,temperature, and initiator

The cationic polymerization of isobutylene using 2‐phenyl‐2‐propanol (CumOH)/AlCl₃OBu₂ and H₂O/AlCl₃OBu₂ initiating systems in nonpolar solvents (toluene, n‐hexane) at elevated temperatures (?20 to 30 °C) is reported. With CumOH/AlCl₃OBu₂ initiating system, the reaction proceeded by controlled initiation via CumOH, followed by β‐H abstraction and then irreversible termination, thus, affording polymers (M_n = 1000–2000 g mol^?1) with high content of vinylidene end groups (85–91%), although the monomer conversion was low (≤35%) and polymers exhibited relatively broad molecular weight distribution (MWD; M_w/M_n = 2.3–3.5). H₂O/AlCl₃OBu₂ initiating system induced chain‐transfer dominated cationic polymerization of isobutylene via a selective β‐H abstraction by free base (Bu₂O). Under these conditions, polymers with very high content of desired exo‐olefin terminal groups (89–94%) in high yield (>85%) were obtained in 10 min. It was shown that the molecular weight of polyisobutylenes obtained with H₂O/AlCl₃OBu₂ initiating system could be easily controlled in a range 1000–10,000 g mol^?1 by changing the reaction temperature from ?40 to 30 °C. The MWD was rather broad (M_w/M_n = 2.5–3.5) at low reaction temperatures (from ?40 to 10 °C), but became narrower (M_w/M_n ≤ 2.1) at temperatures higher than 10 °C. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Factors affecting product distributions in ethylene/styrene copolymerization by (aryloxo)(cyclopentadienyl)titanium complexes‐MAO catalyst systems

Ethylene/styrene copolymerizations using Cp′TiCl₂(O‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) [Cp′ = Cp* (C₅Me₅, 1 ), 1,2,4‐Me₃C₅H₂ ( 2 ), tert‐BuC₅H₄ ( 3 )]‐MAO catalyst systems were explored under various conditions. Complexes 2 and 3 exhibited both high catalytic activities (activity: 504–6810 kg‐polymer/mol‐Ti h) and efficient styrene incorporations at 25, 40°C (ethylene 6 atm), affording relatively high molecular weight poly (ethylene‐co‐styrene)s with unimodal molecular weight distributions as well as with uniform styrene distributions (M_w = 6.12–13.6 × 10⁴, M_w/M_n = 1.50–1.71, styrene 31.7–51.9 mol %). By‐productions of syndiotactic polystyrene (SPS) were observed, when the copolymerizations by 1 – 3 ‐MAO catalyst systems were performed at 55, 70 °C (ethylene 6 atm, SPS 9.0–68.9 wt %); the ratios of the copolymer/SPS were affected by the polymerization temperature, the [styrene]/[ethylene] feed molar ratios in the reaction mixture, and by both the cyclopentadienyl fragment (Cp′) and anionic ancillary donor ligand (L) in Cp′TiCl₂(L) (L = Cl, O‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃ or N=C^tBu₂) employed. Co‐presence of the catalytically‐active species for both the copolymerization and the homopolymerization was thus suggested even in the presence of ethylene; the ratios were influenced by various factors (catalyst precursors, temperature, styrene/ethylene feed molar ratio, etc.). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4162–4174, 2008     

Synthese,Struktur und Photochemie von Olefiniridium(I)‐Komplexen mit Acetylacetonatoliganden

Synthesis, Structure, and Photochemical Behavior of Olefine Iridium(I) Complexes with Acetylacetonato Ligands The bis(ethene) complex [Ir(κ²‐acac)(C₂H₄)₂] ( 1 ) reacts with tertiary phosphanes to give the monosubstitution products [Ir(κ²‐acac)(C₂H₄)(PR₃)] ( 2 – 5 ). While 2 (R = iPr) is inert toward PiPr₃, the reaction of 2 with diphenylacetylene affords the π‐alkyne complex [Ir(κ²‐acac)(C₂Ph₂)(PiPr₃)] ( 6 ). Treatment of [IrCl(C₂H₄)₄] with C‐functionalized acetylacetonates yields the compounds [Ir(κ²‐acacR^1,2)(C₂H₄)₂] ( 8 , 9 ), which react with PiPr₃ to give [Ir(κ²‐acacR^1,2)(C₂H₄)(PiPr₃)] ( 10 , 11 ) by displacement of one ethene ligand. UV irradiation of 5 (PR₃ = iPr₂PCH₂CO₂Me) and 11 (R² = (CH₂)₃CO₂Me) leads, after addition of PiPr₃, to the formation of the hydrido(vinyl)iridium(III) complexes 7 and 12 . The reaction of 2 with the ethene derivatives CH₂=CHR (R = CN, OC(O)Me, C(O)Me) affords the compounds [Ir(κ²‐acac)(CH₂=CHR)(PiPr₃)] ( 13 – 15 ), which on photolysis in the presence of PiPr₃ also undergo an intramolecular C–H activation. In contrast, the analogous complexes [Ir(κ²‐acac)(olefin)(PiPr₃)] (olefin = (E)‐C₂H₂(CO₂Me)₂ 16 , (Z)‐C₂H₂(CO₂Me)₂ 17 ) are photochemically inert.     

Effect of ligand backbone substituents of nickel α‐diimine complexes on livingness/controllability of olefin polymerization: Competition between monomer isomerization and propagation

Four α‐diimine nickel complexes [(Ar? N?C(R)? C(R)?N? Ar)NiBr₂; R?H, CH₃, cyclohexane‐1,2‐diyl, naphthalene‐1,8‐diyl, Ar?2,6‐i‐Pr₂‐C₆H₃‐) were investigated in propene and hex‐1‐ene polymerization to identify the limits of backbone substituent R size needed to provide living/controlled α‐olefins polymerization by the sufficient suppression of β–H elimination transfer. Propagation kinetics measurements, molar mass on monomer conversion dependencies and reinitiation tests were used to evaluate the livingness of hex‐1‐ene polymerization. Interestingly, living/controlled hex‐1‐ene polymerization was observed in the case of all diimine derivatives including the one bearing only hydrogen atom in backbone positions. Unexpectedly, in the case of catalysts bearing H and CH₃ backbone substituents, we observed the unusual isomerization of hex‐1‐ene into internal hexenes in parallel with its polymerization. Nevertheless, by subtracting the amount of monomer consumed in isomerization side reaction, polymerization still keeps the features of living/controlled process. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 3193–3202     

Synthesis of highly reactive polyisobutylenes with exo‐olefin terminals via controlled cationic polymerization with H2O/FeCl3/iPrOH initiating system in nonpolar hydrocarbon media

Cationic polymerizations of isobutylene (IB) with H₂O/FeCl₃/isopropanol (iPrOH) initiating system were conducted in nonpolar hydrocarbon media, such as n‐hexane or mixed C₄ fractions at ?40 to 20 °C. This cationic polymerization is a chain‐transfer dominated process via highly selective β‐proton elimination from ? CH₃ in the growing chain ends, leading to formation of highly reactive polyisobutylenes (HRPIBs) with large contents (> 90 mol %) of exo‐olefin end groups (structure A ). The content of structure A remained nearly constant at about 97 mol % during polymerization and isomerization via carbenium ion rearrangement could be suppressed in nonpolar media. First‐order kinetics with respect to monomer concentration was measured for selective cationic polymerization of IB in the mixed C₄ fraction feed at ?30 °C and the apparent rate constant for propagation was 0.028 min^?1. High polymerization temperature (T_p) or [FeCl₃] accelerate β‐proton elimination or isomerizations and simultaneously decrease selectivity of β‐proton abstraction from ? CH₃. Molecular weight decreased and molecular weight distribution (MWD) became narrow with increasing T_p or [FeCl₃]. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example to achieve high quality HRPIBs with near 100% of exo‐olefin terminals and relatively narrow MWD (M_w/M_n = 1.8) by a single‐step process in nonpolar hydrocarbon media. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 4200–4212     

Titanium complexes of dialkanolamine ligands as initiators for living ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone

The titanium complexes with one ( 1a , 1b , 1c ) and two ( 2a , 2b ) dialkanolamine ligands were used as initiators in the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ε‐caprolactone. Titanocanes 1a and 1b initiated living ROP of ε‐caprolactone affording polymers whose number‐average molecular weights (M_n) increased in direct proportion to monomer conversion (M_n ≤ 30,000 g mol^?1) in agreement with calculated values, and were inversely proportional to initiator concentration, while the molecular weight distribution stayed narrow throughout the polymerization (M_w/M_n ≤ 1.2 up to 80% monomer conversion). ¹H‐NMR and MALDI‐TOF‐MS studies of the obtained poly(ε‐caprolactone)s revealed the presence of an isopropoxy group originated from the initiator at the polymer termini, indicating that the polymerization takes place exclusively at the Ti–OⁱPr bond of the catalyst. The higher molecular weight polymers (M_n ≤ 70,000 g mol^?1) with reasonable MWD (M_w/M_n ≤ 1.6) were synthesized by living ROP of ε‐caprolactone using spirobititanocanes ( 2a , 2b ) and titanocane 1c as initiators. The latter catalysts, according MALDI‐TOF‐MS data, afford poly(ε‐caprolactone)s with almost equal content of α,ω‐dihydroxyl‐ and α‐hydroxyl‐ω(carboxylic acid)‐terminated chains arising due to monomer insertion into “Ti–O” bond of dialkanolamine ligand and from initiation via traces of water, respectively. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1230–1240, 2010     

A novel tridentate nitrogen donor as ligand in copper catalyzed ATRP of methyl methacrylate

A tridentate ligand, BPIEP: 2,6‐bis[1‐(2,6‐diisopropyl phenylimino) ethyl] pyridine, having central pyridine unit and two peripheral imine coordination sites was effectively employed in controlled/“living” radical polymerization of MMA at 90°C in toluene as solvent, Cu^IBr as catalyst, and ethyl‐2‐bromoisobutyrate (EBiB) as initiator resulting in well‐defined polymers with polydispersities M_w/M_n ≤ 1.23. The rate of polymerization follows first‐order kinetics, k_app = 3.4 × 10^?5 s^?1, indicating the presence of low radical concentration ([P*] ≤ 10^?8) throughout the reaction. The polymerization rate attains a maximum at a ligand‐to‐metal ratio of 2:1 in toluene at 90°C. The solvent concentration (v/v, with respect to monomer) has a significant effect on the polymerization kinetics. The polymerization is faster in polar solvents like, diphenylether, and anisole, as compared to toluene. Increasing the monomer concentration in toluene resulted in a better control of polymerization. The molecular weights (M_n,SEC) increased linearly with conversion and were found to be higher than predicted molecular (M_n,Cal). However, the polydispersity remained narrow, i.e., ≤1.23. The initiator efficiency at lower monomer concentration approaches a value of 0.7 in 110 min as compared to 0.5 in 330 min at higher monomer concentration. The aging of the copper salt complexed with BPIEP had a beneficial effect and resulted in polymers with narrow polydispersitities and higher conversion. PMMA obtained at room temperature in toluene (33%, v/v) gave PDI of 1.22 (M_n = 8500) in 48 h whereas, at 50°C the PDI is 1.18 (M_n = 10,300), which is achieved in 23 h. The plot of lnk_app versus 1/T gave an apparent activation energy of polymerization as (ΔE^≠_app) 58.29 KJ/mol and enthalpy of equilibrium (ΔH⁰_eq) to 28.8 KJ/mol. Reverse ATRP of MMA was successfully performed using AIBN in bulk as well as solution. The controlled nature of the polymerization reaction was established through kinetic studies and chain extension experiments. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4996–5008, 2005     

Tridentate anilido‐aldimine magnesium and zinc complexes as efficient catalysts for ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone and L‐lactide

A novel tridentate anilido‐aldimine ligand, [o‐C₆H₄(NHAr)? HC?NCH₂CH₂NMe₂] (Ar = 2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃, L ‐H, 1 ), has been prepared by the condensation of N, N‐dimethylethylenediamine with one molar equivalent of 2‐fluoro‐benzaldehyde in hexane, followed by the addition of the lithium salt of diisopropylaniline in THF. Magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) complexes supported by the tridentate anilido‐aldimine ligand have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Reaction of L ‐H ( 1 ) with an equivalent amount of MgⁿBu₂ or ZnEt₂ produces the monomeric complex [ L MgⁿBu] ( 2 ) or [ L ZnEt] ( 3 ), respectively. Experimental results show that complexes 2 and 3 are efficient catalysts for ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone (CL) and L ‐lactide (LA) in the presence of benzyl alcohol and catalyze the polymerization of ε‐CL and L ‐LA in a controlled fashion yielding polymers with a narrow polydispersity index. In both polymerizations, the activity of Mg complex 2 is higher than that of Zn complex 3 , which is probably due to the higher Lewis acidity and better oxophilic nature of Mg²⁺ metal. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4927–4936, 2009     

Efficient terpolymerization of ethylene and styrene with α‐olefins by aryloxo‐modified half‐titanocene‐based catalysts and cocatalyst systems

Aryloxo‐modified half‐titanocenes, Cp′TiCl₂(O‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) [Cp′ = Cp* ( 1 ), ^tBuC₅H₄ ( 2 )], catalyze terpolymerization of ethylene and styrene with α‐olefin (1‐hexene and 1‐decene) efficiently in the presence of cocatalyst, affording high‐molecular‐weight polymers with unimodal distributions (compositions). Efficient comonomer incorporations have been achieved by these catalysts. The content of each comonomer (α‐olefin, styrene, etc.) could be controlled by varying the comonomer concentration charged, and resonances ascribed to styrene and α‐olefin repeated insertion were negligible. The terpolymerization with p‐methylstyrene (p‐MS) in place of styrene also proceeded in the presence of [PhN(H)Me₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] and AlⁱBu₃ cocatalyst, and p‐MS was incorporated in an efficient matter, affording high‐molecular‐weight polymers with uniform molecular weight distributions. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2565–2574     

Die Oxidation von Triisopropylphosphan mit Iod: Zur Rolle von trockenem und feuchtem Lösungsmittel

Oxidation of Triisopropylphosphane with Iodine: The Role of Dry or Moist Solvent i‐Pr₃P ( 1 ) and iodine give i‐Pr₃PI₂ ( 2 ). In crystals obtained from CH₂Cl₂ solution, ion pairs [i‐Pr₃PI⁺I^–] of 2 exhibiting I…I interactions are linked by CH₂Cl₂ molecules. With a second equivalent of iodine, i‐Pr₃PI⁺ I₃^– ( 3 ) is formed; the reaction of 2 with AgSbF₆ provides i‐Pr₃PI⁺SbF₆^– ( 6 ). The presence of moisture and air leads to the formation of i‐Pr₃POH⁺ salts. Solid i‐Pr₃POH⁺I^– ( 4 ) exhibits P–O–H…I cation‐anion contacts, solid (i‐Pr₃PO)₂H⁺I₃^– ( 5 ) contains a centrosymmetric P=O…H…O=P‐bridged cation. Distinguishing i‐Pr₃PI⁺ salts 2 , 3 from hydrolysis products 4 , 5 by ³¹P‐NMR in reaction mixtures is not trivial, because both kinds of cations exihibit similar ³¹P‐NMR shifts and both participate in interactions with their anions, and in equilibria with uncharged donors: rapid I⁺ transfer reactions and I…I soft‐soft interactions involving 1 , and rapid H⁺ transfer reactions and hydrogen bonds involving i‐Pr₃P=O ( 7 ).     

Bis(β‐diketiminato) lanthanide amides: synthesis,structure and catalysis for the polymerization of l‐lactide and ε‐caprolactone

Treatment of the chlorides (L^2,6‐iPr2_Ph)₂LnCl (L^2,6‐iPr2_Ph = [(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)NC(Me)CHC(Me)N(C₆H₅)]^?) with 1 equiv. of NaNH(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) afforded the monoamides (L^2,6‐iPr2_Ph)₂LnNH(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) (Ln = Y ( 1 ), Yb ( 2 )) in good yields. Anhydrous LnCl₃ reacted with 2 equiv. of NaL^2,6‐iPr2_Ph in THF, followed by treatment with 1 equiv. of NaNH(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃), giving the analogues (L^2,6‐iPr2_Ph)₂LnNH(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) (Ln = Sm ( 3 ), Nd ( 4 )). Two monoamido complexes stabilized by two L^2‐Me ligands, (L^2‐Me)₂LnNH(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) (L^2‐Me = [N(2‐MeC₆H₄)C(Me)]₂CH)^?; Ln = Y ( 5 ), Yb ( 6 )), were also synthesized by the latter route. Complexes 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 were fully characterized, including X‐ray crystal structure analyses. Complexes 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 are isostructural. The central metal in each complex is ligated by two β‐diketiminato ligands and one amido group in a distorted trigonal bipyramid. All the complexes were found to be highly active in the ring‐opening polymerization of L‐lactide (L‐LA) and ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) to give polymers with relatively narrow molar mass distributions. The activity depends on both the central metal and the ligand (Yb < Y < Sm ≈ Nd and L^2‐Me < L^2,6‐iPr2_Ph). Remarkably, the binary 3/benzyl alcohol (BnOH) system exhibited a striking ‘immortal’ nature and proved able to quantitatively convert 5000 equiv. of L‐LA with up to 100 equiv. of BnOH per metal initiator. All the resulting PLAs showed monomodal, narrow distributions (M_w/M_n = 1.06 ? 1.08), with molar mass (M_n) decreasing proportionally with an increasing amount of BnOH. The binary 4/BnOH system also exhibited an ‘immortal’ nature in the polymerization of ε‐CL in toluene. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Yttrium bis(alkyl) and bis(amido) complexes bearing N,O multidentate ligands. Synthesis and catalytic activity towards ring‐opening polymerization of L‐lactide

Methoxy‐modified β‐diimines HL ¹ and HL ² reacted with Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ to afford the corresponding bis(alkyl)s [L¹Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₂] ( 1 ) and [L²Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₂] ( 2 ), respectively. Amination of 1 with 2,6‐diisopropyl aniline gave the bis(amido) counterpart [L¹Y{N(H)(2,6‐iPr₂? C₆H₃)}₂] ( 3 ), selectively. Treatment of Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ with methoxy‐modified anilido imine HL ³ yielded bis(alkyl) complex [L³Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF)] ( 4 ) that sequentially reacted with 2,6‐diisopropyl aniline to give the bis(amido) analogue [L³Y{N(H)(2,6‐iPr₂? C₆H₃)}₂] ( 5 ). Complex 2 was “base‐free” monomer, in which the tetradentate β‐diiminato ligand was meridional with the two alkyl species locating above and below it, generating tetragonal bipyramidal core about the metal center. Complex 3 was asymmetric monomer containing trigonal bipyramidal core with trans‐arrangement of the amido ligands. In contrast, the two cis‐located alkyl species in complex 4 were endo and exo towards the O,N,N tridentate anilido‐imido moiety. The bis(amido) complex 5 was confirmed to be structural analogue to 4 albeit without THF coordination. All these yttrium complexes are highly active initiators for the ring‐opening polymerization of L ‐LA at room temperature. The catalytic activity of the complexes and their “single‐site” or “double‐site” behavior depend on the ligand framework and the geometry of the alkyl (amido) species in the corresponding complexes. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5662–5672, 2007     

Unexpected Coordination Modes of the Tris(imidazolyl)phosphane Oxide Ligand 4‐TIPOiPr in the Chloro Complexes of Zinc,Cobalt and Nickel

The coordination chemistry of the water soluble phosphane oxide ligand tris[2‐isopropylimidazol‐4(5)‐yl]phosphane oxide, 4‐TIPO^iPr, has been explored. A variety of 3d‐metal halide complexes have been prepared and the crystal structures of the solvates [(4‐TIPO^iPr)ZnCl₂]·MeOH·¹/₂dioxane ( 1 ·MeOH·¹/₂dioxane), [(4‐TIPO^iPr)CoCl₂]·H₂O·2dioxane ( 2 ·H₂O·2dioxane) and [(4‐TIPO^iPr)₂Ni(MeOH)₂]Cl₂·2MeOH ( 3 ·2MeOH) have been determined. All three structures show unprecedented coordination modes of the 4‐TIPO^iPr ligand. Both zinc and cobalt complexes are coordinated in a bidentate κ²N fashion, whereas the nickel atom is coordinated by two ligands in a κN,O mode using one imidazolyl substituent and the P=O oxygen atom.     

Efficient introduction of aromatic vinyl group by incorporation of divinylbiphenyl,p‐divinylbenzene in syndiospecific styrene polymerization using aryloxo‐modified half‐titanocene catalysts

An efficient introduction of aromatic vinyl group into syndiotactic polystyrene has been achieved by incorporation of 3,3′‐divinylbiphenyl, p‐divinylbenzene (DVB) in syndiospecific styrene polymerization using aryloxo‐modified half‐titanocenes, Cp′TiCl₂(O‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) (Cp′ = ^tBuC₅H₄, 1,2,4‐Me₃C₅H₂), in the presence of MAO. The resultant polymers possessed high molecular weights with uniform molecular weight distributions, and the DVB contents could be varied by the initial feed molar ratios (6–23 mol %) without decrease in the M_n values. The syndiotactic stereo‐regularity and presence of the vinyl groups were confirmed by NMR spectra. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1902–1907     

Synthesis,Structures, and Photocatalytic Properties of Zinc(II) and Cobalt(II) Supramolecular Complexes Constructed with Flexible Bis(thiabendazole) and Dicarboxylate Linkers

Three coordination complexes, namely, [Zn(btbp)(3‐npa)]_n ( 1 ), [Co(btbh)(3‐npa)]_n ( 2 ), and {[Co(btbb)(5‐nipa)(H₂O)] · H₂O}_n ( 3 ) (btbp = 1,3‐bis(thiabendazole)propane, btbh = 1,6‐bis(thiabendazole)hexane, btbb = 1,4‐bis(thiabendazole)butane, 3‐H₂npa = 3‐nitrophthalic acid and 5‐H₂nipa = 5‐nitroisophthalic acid) were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods as well as by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Complex 1 features a fascinating meso‐helical chain, which is further extended into a 2D supramolecular framework involving π ··· π stacking interactions. Complexes 2 and 3 show dinuclear structures. Complex 2 is further connected through C–H ··· O hydrogen bonding interactions to afford a 2D supramolecular layer, whereas complex 3 is further extended to a rare 2‐nodal (3,4)‐connected supramolecular sheet with a point symbol of {3.4².5.6.7}₂{3.8²} by O–H ··· O hydrogen bonding interactions. The electrochemical behaviors of the two cobalt complexes 2 and 3 were reported. Moreover, the luminescent properties for 1 and the photocatalytic properties for the complexes were investigated.     

Cationic ring‐opening polymerization of ϵ‐thionocaprolactone: Selective formation of polythioester

Cationic ring‐opening polymerization of ϵ‐thionocaprolactone was examined. The corresponding polythioester with the number‐average molecular weight (M_n ) of 57,000 was obtained in the polymerization with 1 mol % of BF₃ · OEt₂ as an initiator in CH₂Cl₂ at 28 °C for 5 h with quantitative monomer conversion. The M_n of the polymer increased with the solvent polarity and monomer‐to‐initiator ratio. No polymerization took place below −30 °C, and the monomer conversion and M_n of the polymer increased with the temperature in the range of −15 to 28 °C. The increase of initial monomer concentration was effective to improve the monomer conversion and the M_n of the obtained polymer. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 4057–4061, 2000     

Isoprene polymerization with indolide‐imine supported rare‐earth metal alkyl and amidinate complexes

Reaction of 7‐{(N‐2,6‐R)iminomethyl)}indole ( HL¹ , R = dimethylphenyl; HL² , R = diisopropylphenyl) and rare‐earth metal tris(alkyl)s, Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂, generated new rare‐earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes LLn(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF) [L = L¹: Ln = Lu ( 1a ), Sc ( 1b ); L = L²: Ln = Lu ( 3a ), Sc ( 3b )] and mono(alkyl) complexes L²₂Lu(CH₂SiMe₃) ( 4a ). Treatment of alkyl complexes 1a and 4a with N,N′‐diisopropylcarbodiimide afforded the corresponding amidinates L¹Lu{iPr₂NC(CH₂SiMe₃)NiPr₂}₂ ( 2a ) and L²₂Lu{iPr₂NC(CH₂SiMe₃)NiPr₂} ( 5a ), respectively. These new rare‐earth metal alkyls and amidinates except 4a in combination with aluminum alkyls and borate generated efficient homogeneous catalysts for the polymerization of isoprene, providing high cis‐1,4 selectivity and high molar mass polyisoprene with narrow molar mass distribution (M_n = 2.65 × 10⁵, M_w/M_n = 1.07, cis‐1,4 98.2%, −60 °C). The environmental hindrance around central metals arising from the bulkiness of the ligands, the Lewis‐acidity of rare‐earth metal ions, the types of aluminum tris(alkyl)s and borate, and polymerization temperature influenced significantly on both the catalytic activity and the regioselectivity. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5251–5262, 2008