Well-defined imidotitanium alkyl cations: agostic interactions, migratory insertion vs.[2+2] cycloaddition, and the first structurally authenticated AlMe(3) adduct of any transition metal alkyl cation

The imidotitanium alkyl cations [Ti(NtBu)(Me3[9]aneN3)R]+ (R = Me (3+) or CH2SiMe3(4+)) possess either a very weak alpha-agostic or beta-Si-C agostic interactions, respectively, according to 13C and 29Si NMR and DFT studies; reaction of (4+) with iPrNCNiPr gives totally selective insertion into the Ti-alkyl bond; reaction of 3+ with AlMe3 gives the first structurally characterised AlMe3 adduct of a transition metal alkyl cation (Me3[9]aneN3 = 1,4,7-trimethyltriazacyclononane).     

Synthesis and reactivity of the imidotungsten methyl cation [W(N2Npy)(NPh)Me]+: CO2 adds to the W=NPh bond and does not insert into the W-Me bond

The imidotungsten dimethyl compound [W(N2Npy)(NPh)Me2] 2 reacts with BArF3 to form the cationic complex [W(N2Npy)(NPh)Me]+ 3+ [anion = [MeBArF3]-; ArF = C6F5; N2Npy = MeC(2C5H4N)(CH2NSiMe3)2] which undergoes methyl group exchange with added 2, [Cp2ZrMe2] or ZnMe2; treatment of cation 3+ with CO2 or isocyanates leads to cycloaddition reactions at the W=NPh bond and not insertion into the W-Me bond, despite the latter product being the most thermodynamically favourable according to DFT calculations.     

Activation of dimethyl zirconocene by methylaluminoxane (MAO)-size estimate for Me-MAO(-) anions by pulsed field-gradient NMR

In a study of the reaction system MAO/(C5H5)2ZrMe2, the size of the ion pair [(C5H5)2Zr(mu-Me)2AlMe2]+ [Me-MAO]- was determined by pulsed field-gradient NMR of its cationic moiety. A mean effective hydrodynamic radius of 12.2-12.5 A, determined from diffusion rates in benzene solution at different zirconocene and MAO concentrations, indicates that the ion pair remains associated even at the lowest concentrations studied. At elevated concentrations, aggregation to ion quadruples or higher aggregates is indicated by an apparent size increase and by shifts of the C5H5 and Me 1H NMR signals. The equilibrium constant for the reaction [(C5H5)2ZrMe+...Me-MAO-] + 1/2Al2Me6 right harpoon over left harpoon [(C5H5)2Zr(mu-Me)2AlMe2]+ [Me-MAO]- changes at different Al/Zr ratios; this indicates that MAO contains various species that produce Me-MAO- anions with different Lewis basicities. The volume of the Me-MAO- anion suggests that it contains 150-200 Al atoms.     

NOE and PGSE NMR spectroscopic studies of solution structure and aggregation in metallocenium ion-pairs

The solution structures of the metallocenium homogeneous polymerization catalyst ion-pairs [Cp(2)ZrMe](+)[MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)](-) (1), [(1,2-Me(2)Cp)(2)ZrMe](+)[MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)](-) (2), [(Me(2)SiCp(2))ZrMe](+)[MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)](-) (3), [Me(2)C(Fluorenyl)(Cp)ZrMe](+)[FPBA](-) (FPBA = tris(2,2',2' '-nonafluorobiphenyl)fluoroaluminate) (4), [rac-Et(Indenyl)(2)ZrMe](+)[FPBA](-) (5), [(Me(5)Cp)(2)ThMe](+)[B(C(6)F(5))(4)](-) (6), [(Me(2)SiCp(2))Zr(Me)(THF)](+)[MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)](-) (7), [(Me(2)SiCp(2))Zr(Me)(PPh(3))](+)[MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)](-) (8), [(Me(2)SiCp(2))Zr(Me)(THF)](+)[B(C(6)F(5))(4)](-) (9), [(Me(2)Si(Me(4)Cp)(t-BuN)Zr(Me)(solvent)](+)[B(C(6)F(5))(4)](-) (solvent = benzene, toluene) (10), [(Cp(2)ZrMe)(2)(mu-Me)](+)[MePBB](-) (PBB = tris(2,2',2"-nonafluorobiphenyl)borane) (11), and [(Cp(2)Zr)(2)(mu-CH(2))(mu-Me)](+)[MePBB](-) (12), having the counteranion in the inner (1, 3, 4, 5, and 6) or outer (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12) coordination sphere, have been investigated for the first time in solvents with low relative permittivity such as benzene or toluene by (1)H NOESY and (1)H,(19)F HOESY NMR spectroscopy. It is found that the average interionic solution structures of the inner sphere contact ion-pairs are similar to those in the solid state with the anion B-Me (1, 3) or Al-F (5) vectors oriented toward the free zirconium coordination site. The HOESY spectrum of complex 6 is in agreement with the reported solid-state structure. In contrast, in outer sphere contact ion-pairs 7, 8, 9, and 10, the anion is located far from the Zr-Me(+) moiety and much nearer to the Me(2)Si bridge than in 3. The interionic structure of 8 is concentration-dependent, and for concentrations greater than 2 mM, a loss of structural localization is observed. PGSE NMR measurements as a function of concentration (0.1-5.0 mM) indicate that the tendency to form aggregates of nuclearity higher than simple ion-pairs is dependent on whether the anion is in the inner or outer coordination sphere of the metallocenium cation. Complexes 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 show no evidence of aggregation up to 5 mM (well above concentrations typically used in catalysis) or at the limit of saturated solutions (complexes 3 and 6), while concentration-dependent behavior is observed for complexes 7, 8, 10, and 11. These outer sphere ion-pairs begin to exhibit significant evidence for ion-quadruples in solutions having concentrations greater than 0.5 mM with the tendency to aggregate being a function of metal ligation and anion structure. Above 2 mM, compound 8 exists as higher aggregates that are probably responsible for the loss of interionic structural specificity.     

"Ionic carbenes": synthesis, structural characterization, and reactivity of rare-Earth metal methylidene complexes

Treatment of mixed chloride tetramethylaluminate polynuclear clusters {Cp*Y[(mu-Me)2AlMe2](mu-Cl)}2 and {Cp*6La6[(mu-Me)3AlMe]4(mu3-Cl)2(mu2-Cl)6} with toluene/THF solutions produces "aluminum-free" methylidene complexes [Cp*3Ln3(mu-Cl)3(mu3-Cl)(mu3-CH2)(THF)3] (Ln = Y, La). The trinuclear methylidene complexes are isostructural in the solid state and feature a sterically well-shielded Schrock-type nucleophilic CH22- unit, which is prone to Tebbe-like methylenation reactions with ketones and aldehydes. The rapid polymerization of gamma-valerolactone reveals intrinsic rare-earth metal reactivity.     

Mixed-valent [FeIV(mu-O)(mu-carboxylato)2FeIII]3+ core

The symmetrically ligated complexes 1, 2, and 3 with a (mu-oxo)bis(mu-acetato)diferric core can be one-electron oxidized electrochemically or chemically with aminyl radical cations [*NR3][SbCl6] in acetonitrile yielding complexes which contain the mixed-valent [(mu-oxo)bis(mu-acetato)iron(IV)iron(III)]3+ core: [([9]aneN3)(2FeIII2)(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2](ClO4)2 (1(ClO4)2), [(Me3[9]aneN3)(2FeIII2)(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2](PF6)2 (2(PF6)(2)), and [(tpb)(2FeIII2)(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2] (3) where ([9]aneN3) is the neutral triamine 1,4,7-triazacyclononane and (Me3[9]aneN3) is its tris-N-methylated derivative, and (tpb)(-) is the monoanion trispyrazolylborate. The asymmetrically ligated complex [(Me3[9]aneN3)FeIII(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2FeIII(tpb)](PF6) (4(PF6)) and its one-electron oxidized form [4ox]2+ have also been prepared. Finally, the known heterodinuclear species [(Me3[9]aneN3)CrIII(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2Fe([9]aneN3)](PF6)2 (5(PF6)(2)) can also be one-electron oxidized yielding [5ox]3+ containing an iron(IV) ion. The structure of 4(PF6).0.5CH3CN.0.25(C2H5)2O has been determined by X-ray crystallography and that of [5ox]2+ by Fe K-edge EXAFS-spectroscopy (Fe(IV)-O(oxo): 1.69(1) A; Fe(IV)-O(carboxylato) 1.93(3) A, Fe(IV)-N 2.00(2) A) contrasting the data for 5 (Fe(III)-O(oxo) 1.80 A; Fe(III)-O(carboxylato) 2.05 A, Fe-N 2.20 A). [5ox]2+ has an St = 1/2 ground state whereas all complexes containing the mixed-valent [FeIV(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2FeIII]3+ core have an St = 3/2 ground state. M?ssbauer spectra of the oxidized forms of complexes clearly show the presence of low spin FeIV ions (isomer shift approximately 0.02 mm s(-1), quadrupole splitting approximately 1.4 mm s(-1) at 80 K), whereas the high spin FeIII ion exhibits delta approximately 0.46 mm s(-1) and DeltaE(Q) approximately 0.5 mm s(-1). M?ssbauer, EPR spectral and structural parameters have been calculated by density functional theoretical methods at the BP86 and B3LYP levels. The exchange coupling constant, J, for diiron complexes with the mixed-valent FeIV-FeIII core (H = -2J S1.S2; S(1) = 5/2; S2 = 1) has been calculated to be -88 cm(-1) (intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling) and for the reduced diferric form of -75 cm(-1) in reasonable agreement with experiment (J = -120 cm(-1)).     

Half-sandwich bis(tetramethylaluminate) complexes of the rare-earth metals: synthesis, structural chemistry, and performance in isoprene polymerization

The protonolysis reaction of [Ln(AlMe(4))(3)] with various substituted cyclopentadienyl derivatives HCp(R) gives access to a series of half-sandwich complexes [Ln(AlMe(4))(2)(Cp(R))]. Whereas bis(tetramethylaluminate) complexes with [1,3-(Me(3)Si)(2)C(5)H(3)] and [C(5)Me(4)SiMe(3)] ancillary ligands form easily at ambient temperature for the entire Ln(III) cation size range (Ln=Lu, Y, Sm, Nd, La), exchange with the less reactive [1,2,4-(Me(3)C)(3)C(5)H(3)] was only obtained at elevated temperatures and for the larger metal centers Sm, Nd, and La. X-ray structure analyses of seven representative complexes of the type [Ln(AlMe(4))(2)(Cp(R))] reveal a similar distinct [AlMe(4)] coordination (one eta(2), one bent eta(2)). Treatment with Me(2)AlCl leads to [AlMe(4)] --> [Cl] exchange and, depending on the Al/Ln ratio and the Cp(R) ligand, varying amounts of partially and fully exchanged products [{Ln(AlMe(4))(mu-Cl)(Cp(R))}(2)] and [{Ln(mu-Cl)(2)(Cp(R))}(n)], respectively, have been identified. Complexes [{Y(AlMe(4))(mu-Cl)(C(5)Me(4)SiMe(3))}(2)] and [{Nd(AlMe(4))(mu-Cl){1,2,4-(Me(3)C)(3)C(5)H(2)}}(2)] have been characterized by X-ray structure analysis. All of the chlorinated half-sandwich complexes are inactive in isoprene polymerization. However, activation of the complexes [Ln(AlMe(4))(2)(Cp(R))] with boron-containing cocatalysts, such as [Ph(3)C][B(C(6)F(5))(4)], [PhNMe(2)H][B(C(6)F(5))(4)], or B(C(6)F(5))(3), produces initiators for the fabrication of trans-1,4-polyisoprene. The choice of rare-earth metal cation size, Cp(R) ancillary ligand, and type of boron cocatalyst crucially affects the polymerization performance, including activity, catalyst efficiency, living character, and polymer stereoregularity. The highest stereoselectivities were observed for the precatalyst/cocatalyst systems [La(AlMe(4))(2)(C(5)Me(4)SiMe(3))]/B(C(6)F(5))(3) (trans-1,4 content: 95.6 %, M(w)/M(n)=1.26) and [La(AlMe(4))(2)(C(5)Me(5))]/B(C(6)F(5))(3) (trans-1,4 content: 99.5 %, M(w)/M(n)=1.18).     

Synthesis, structures, and reactivity of weakly coordinating anions with delocalized borate structure: the assessment of anion effects in metallocene polymerization catalysts.

The formation of adducts of tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane with strongly coordinating anions such as CN(-) and [M(CN)(4)](2)(-) (M = Ni, Pd) is a synthetically facile route to the bulky, very weakly coordinating anions [CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)](-) and [M[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)](2-) which are isolated as stable NHMe(2)Ph(+) and CPh(3)(+) salts. The crystal structures of [CPh(3)][CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)] (1), [CPh(3)][ClB(C(6)F(5))(3)] (2), [NHMe(2)Ph](2)[Ni[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)].2Me(2)CO (4b.2Me(2)CO), [CPh(3)](2)[Ni[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)].2CH(2)Cl(2) (4c.2CH(2)Cl(2)), and [CPh(3)](2)[Pd[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)].2CH(2)Cl(2) (5c.2CH(2)Cl(2)) are reported. The CN stretching frequencies in 4 and 5 are shifted by approximately 110 cm(-1) to higher wavenumbers compared to the parent tetracyano complexes in aqueous solution, although the M-C and C-N distances show no significant change on B(C(6)F(5))(3) coordination. Zirconocene dimethyl complexes L(2)ZrMe(2) [L(2) = Cp(2), SBI = rac-Me(2)Si(Ind)(2)] react with 1, 4c or 5c in benzene solution at 20 degrees C to give the salts of binuclear methyl-bridged cations, [(L(2)ZrMe)(2)(mu-Me)][CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)] and [(L(2)ZrMe)(2)(mu-Me)](2)[M[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)]. The reactivity of these species in solution was studied in comparison with the known [[(SBI)ZrMe](2)(mu-Me)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)]. While the latter reacts with excess [CPh(3)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] in benzene to give the mononuclear ion pair [(SBI)ZrMe(+).B(C(6)F(5))(4)(-)] in a pseudo-first-order reaction, k = 3 x 10(-4) s(-1), [(L(2)ZrMe)(2)(mu-Me)][CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)] reacts to give a mixture of L(2)ZrMe(mu-Me)B(C(6)F(5))(3) and L(2)ZrMe(mu-NC)B(C(6)F(5))(3). Recrystallization of [Cp' '(2)Zr(mu-Me)(2)AlMe(2)][CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)] affords Cp' '(2)ZrMe(mu-NC)B(C(6)F(5))(3) 6, the X-ray structure of which is reported. The stability of [(L(2)ZrMe)(2)(mu-Me)](+)X(-) decreases in the order X = [B(C(6)F(5))(4)] > [M[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)] > [CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)] and increases strongly with the steric bulk of L(2) = Cp(2) < SBI. Activation of (SBI)ZrMe(2) by 1 in the presence of AlBu(i)(3) gives extremely active ethene polymerization catalysts. Polymerization studies at 1-7 bar monomer pressure suggest that these, and by implication most other highly active ethene polymerization catalysts, are strongly mass-transport limited. By contrast, monitoring propene polymerization activities with the systems (SBI)ZrMe(2)/1/AlBu(i)(3) and CGCTiMe(2)/1/AlBu(i)(3) at 20 degrees C as a function of catalyst concentration demonstrates that in these cases mass-transport limitation is absent up to [metal] approximately 2 x 10(-5) mol L(-1). Propene polymerization activities decrease in the order [CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)](-) > [B(C(6)F(5))(4)](-) > [M[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)](2-) > [MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)](-), with differences in activation barriers relative to [CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)](-) of DeltaDeltaG = 1.1 (B(C(6)F(5))(4)(-)), 4.1 (Ni[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)(2-)) and 10.7-12.8 kJ mol(-)(1) (MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)(-)). The data suggest that even in the case of very bulky anions with delocalized negative charge the displacement of the anion by the monomer must be involved in the rate-limiting step.     

Synthesis, characterization, and X-ray crystal structure of a gallium monohydroxide and a hetero-bimetallic gallium zirconium oxide

A monomeric hydroxide of gallium, LGa(Me)OH, containing terminal hydroxide and methyl groups was prepared by the hydrolysis of LGa(Me)Cl in the presence of N-heterocyclic carbene and water [L = HC{(CMe)(2,6-i-Pr2C6H3N)}2] in high yield and in a pure form. LGa(Me)OH was used as a synthon to assemble the first hetero-bimetallic compound with a Ga-O-Zr core, [(LGaMe)(Cp2ZrMe)](mu-O).     

Metallocene polymerization catalyst ion-pair aggregation by cryoscopy and pulsed field gradient spin-echo NMR diffusion measurements

Pulsed field gradient spin-echo (PGSE) NMR and cryoscopic measurements have been performed on a series of homogeneous metallocene polymerization catalyst ion-pairs to determine if aggregation is a significant phenomenon under typical polymerization conditions. Cryoscopic measurements on [(Me5Cp)2ZrMe]+[MeB(C6F5)3]- (1), [rac-Et(Indenyl)2ZrMe]+[MeB(C6F5)3]- (2), [(1,2-Me2Cp)2ZrCHTMS2]+[MeB(C6F5)3]- (3), [Me2Si(Me4Cp)(t-BuN)TiMe]+[MeB(C6F5)3]- (4), [Me2Si(Me4Cp)(t-BuN)ZrMe]+[MeB(C6F5)3]- (5), and [Me2C(Fluorenyl)(Cp)ZrMe]+[MeB(C6F5)3]- (6) were carried out in benzene in the 10-18 millimolal concentration range. PGSE measurements, using (p-tolyl)4Si as an internal standard, were also performed on catalyst ion-pairs 1, 4, 6, [(Me5Cp)2ThMe]+[B(C6F5)4]- (7), [(Me2SiCp2)ZrMe]+[MeB(C6F5)3]- (8), and [Cp2ZrMe]+[MeB(C6F5)3]- (9) in the 0.8-10.0 millimolar range. All results are consistent with a 1:1 ion-pair structural model and show little evidence for ion-quadruples or higher-order aggregates.     

Structure of the decamethyl titanocene cation,a metallocene with two agostic C-h bonds,and its interaction with fluorocarbons

The tetraphenylborate salt of the decamethyl titanocene cation, [Cp*2Ti][BPh4] (1, Cp* = C5Me5), was prepared by reaction of Cp*2TiH with [Cp2Fe][BPh4] and by reaction of Cp*2TiMe with [PhNMe2H][BPh4]. The crystal structure of 1 shows that the Cp*2Ti cation has a bent metallocene structure with agostic interactions with the metal center of two adjacent methyl groups on one of the Cp* ligands. Compound 1 reacts readily with THF to give the adduct [Cp*2Ti(THF)][BPh4] (2). In fluorobenzene, 1 forms the eta1-fluorobenzene adduct [Cp*2Ti(eta1-FC6H5)][BPh4] (3), which was structurally characterized. In contrast to the thermal stability of 3, addition of alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluorotoluene to either 1 or 2 results in C-F activation to give Cp*2TiF2 and PhCF2CF2Ph as the main products. This reactivity toward benzylic C-F bonds is also reflected in the reactivity toward the fluorinated borate anions [B(C6F5)4]- and {B(3,5-(CF3)2C6H3]4}-: reaction of Cp*2TiMe with their [PhNMe2H]+ salts results in a stable complex for the former anion, whereas rapid C-F activation is observed for the latter.     

Bimetallic effects in homopolymerization of styrene and copolymerization of ethylene and styrenic comonomers: scope, kinetics, and mechanism

This contribution describes the homopolymerization of styrene and the copolymerization of ethylene and styrenic comonomers mediated by the single-site bimetallic "constrained geometry catalysts" (CGCs), (mu-CH2CH2-3,3'){(eta(5)-indenyl)[1-Me2Si(tBuN)](TiMe2)}2 [EBICGC(TiMe2)2; Ti2], (mu-CH2CH2-3,3'){(eta(5)-indenyl)[1-Me2Si(tBuN)](ZrMe2)}2 [EBICGC(ZrMe2)2; Zr2], (mu-CH2-3,3'){(eta(5)-indenyl)[1-Me2Si(tBuN)](TiMe2)}2 [MBICGC(TiMe2)2; C1-Ti2], and (mu-CH2-3,3'){(eta(5)-indenyl)[1-Me2Si(tBuN)](ZrMe2)}2 [MBICGC(ZrMe2)2; C1-Zr2], in combination with the borate activator/cocatalyst Ph3C+ B(C6F5)4- (B1). Under identical styrene homopolymerization conditions, C1-Ti2 + B1 and Ti2 + B1 exhibit approximately 65 and approximately 35 times greater polymerization activities, respectively, than does monometallic [1-Me2Si(3-ethylindenyl)(tBuN)]TiMe2 (Ti1) + B1. C1-Zr2 + B1 and Zr2 + B1 exhibit approximately 8 and approximately 4 times greater polymerization activities, respectively, than does the monometallic control [1-Me2Si(3-ethylindenyl)(tBuN)]ZrMe2 (Zr1) + B1. NMR analyses show that the bimetallic catalysts suppress the regiochemical insertion selectivity exhibited by the monometallic analogues. In ethylene copolymerization, Ti2 + B1 enchains 15.4% more styrene (B), 28.9% more 4-methylstyrene (C), 45.4% more 4-fluorostyrene (D), 41.2% more 4-chlorostyrene (E), and 31.0% more 4-bromostyrene (F) than does Ti1 + B1. This observed bimetallic chemoselectivity effect follows the same general trend as the pi-electron density on the styrenic ipso carbon (D > E > F > C > B). Kinetic studies reveal that both Ti2 + B1 and Ti1 + B1-mediated ethylene-styrene copolymerizations follow second-order Markovian statistics and tend to be alternating. Moreover, calculated reactivity ratios indicate that Ti2 + B1 favors styrene insertion more than does Ti1 + B1. All the organozirconium complexes (C1-Zr2, Zr2, and Zr1) are found to be incompetent for ethylene-styrene copolymerization, yielding only mixtures of polyethylene and polystyrene. Model compound (mu-CH2CH2-3,3'){(eta(5)-indenyl)[1-Me2Si(tBuN)][Ti(CH2Ph)2]}2 {EBICGC[Ti(CH2Ph)2]2; Ti2(CH2Ph)4} was designed, synthesized, and structurally characterized. In situ activation studies with cocatalyst B(C6F5)3 suggest an eta(1)-coordination mode for the benzyl groups, thus supporting the proposed polymerization mechanism. For ethylene-styrene copolymerization, polar solvents are found to increase copolymerization activities and coproduce atactic polystyrene impurities in addition to ethylene-co-styrene, without diminishing the comonomer incorporation selectivity. Both homopolymerization and copolymerization results argue that substantial cooperative effects between catalytic sites are operative.     

Distinct methylalumoxane(MAO)-derived Me-MAO- anions in contact with a zirconocenium cation--a 13C-NMR study

Zirconocenium cations of the type [(MeC5H4)2ZrMe]+, formed by excess methylalumoxane (MAO) from (MeC5H4)2ZrCl2 or (MeC5H4)2ZrMe2 with 13C-labelled ring ligands, are found to form ion pairs with two types of anions, Me-MAO(A)- and Me-MAO(B)-, which differ in their coordinative strengths: More strongly coherent ion pairs [(MeC5H4)2ZrMe+...Me-MAO(B)-] are converted to more easily separable ion pairs [(MeC5H4)2ZrMe+...Me-MAO(A)-] by a sufficient excess of MAO. These react with Al2Me6 to form outer-sphere ion pairs containing the cationic AlMe3 adduct [(MeC5H4)2Zr(mu-Me)2AlMe2]+; formation of the more easily separable ion pairs might be required also for polymerisation catalysis.     

N- versus P-coordination in bis(amino)cyclodiphosph(III)azane complexes of aluminum

The reaction of the bis(amino)cyclodiphosph(III)azane, cis-{(tBuNH)(2)(PNtBu)(2)}, with AlMe(3), AlClMe(2), AlCl(2)Me, and AlCl(3) is reported. The less Lewis acidic compound AlMe(3) forms the adduct cis-[(tBuNH)(2)(PNtBu){P.(AlMe(3))NtBu}] (1), in which the aluminum atom is exclusively coordinated to one phosphorus atom. At elevated temperatures AlMe(3) undergoes migratory exchange between the two phosphorus atoms, but no methane elimination is observed. By using the more Lewis acidic compound AlClMe(2) the P-coordinated compound cis-[(tBuNH)(2)(PNtBu){P(AlClMe(2))NtBu}] (2) can be obtained at low temperatures. Compound 2 rearranges irreversibly to a product in which the AlClMe(2) group is coordinated by one exo-cyclic nitrogen atom. A concomitant 1,2-H shift from this nitrogen atom onto the phosphorus atom is observed. The N-coordinated rearrangement product slowly decomposes via a P-N bond cleavage in solution. Reaction of the even more Lewis acidic compounds AlCl(2)Me and AlCl(3) finally led to stable adducts, cis-[(tBuNH)(PNtBu)(tBuNAlCl(2)Me){P(H)NtBu}] (3), and cis-[(tBuNH)(PNtBu)(tBuNAlCl(3)){P(H)NtBu}] (4), in which the aluminum atoms are N-coordinated by a tBuN=PH unit.     

Titanium imido complexes of cyclooctatetraenyl ligands

Reaction of [Ti(NR)Cl2(py)3] (R=tBu or 2,6-iPr2C6H3) with K(2)[COT] (COT=C8H8) or Li2[COT'] (COT'=1,4-C8H6(SiMe3)2) gave the monomeric complexes [Ti(NR)(eta8-COT)] or [Ti(NR)(eta8-COT')], respectively. The pseudo-two coordinate, "pogo stick" geometry for these complexes is unique in both early transition-metal and cyclooctatetraenyl ligand chemistry. In contrast, reaction of [Ti(N-2,6-Me2C6H3)Cl2(py)3] with K2[COT] gave the mu-imido-bridged dimer [Ti2(mu-N-2,6-Me2C6H3)2(eta8-COT)2]. It appears that as the steric bulk of the imido and C8 ring substituents are decreased, dimerisation becomes more favourable. Aryl imido COT complexes were also prepared by imido ligand exchange reactions between anilines and [Ti(NtBu)(eta(8)-COT)] or [Ti(NtBu)(eta(8)-COT')]. The complexes [Ti(NtBu)(eta(8)-COT)], [Ti(N-2,6-iPr2C6H3)2(eta8-COT)] and [Ti2(mu-N-2,6-Me2C6H3)2(eta8-COT)2] have been crystallographically characterised. The electronic structures of both the monomeric and dimeric complexes have been investigated by using density functional theory (DFT) calculations and gas-phase photoelectron spectroscopy. The most striking aspect of the bonding is that binding to the imido nitrogen atom is primarily through sigma and pi interactions, whereas that to the COT or COT' ring is almost exclusively through delta symmetry orbitals. A DFT-based comparison between the bonding in [Ti(NtBu)(eta8-COT)] and the bonding in the previously reported late transition-metal "pogo stick"complexes [Os(NtBu)(eta6-C6Me6)], [Ir(NtBu)(eta5-C5Me5)] and [Ni(NO)(eta5-C5H5)] has also been undertaken.     

Modification of methylaluminoxane-activated ansa-zirconocene catalysts with triisobutylaluminum-transformations of reactive cations studied by NMR spectroscopy

When triisobutylaluminum (AliBu(3)) is added to solutions containing methylaluminoxane (MAO) and rac-[Me(2)Si(ind)(2)ZrCl(2)] (ind: indenyl) in C(6)D(6), NMR spectra show that methyl-bridged mixed-alkylaluminum dimers Al(mu-Me)(2)Me(4-x)iBu(x) predominate. These dimers react with MAO under partial transfer of isobutyl groups and induce a conversion of the initially prevailing cationic trimethylaluminum adduct rac-[Me(2)Si(ind)(2)Zr(mu-Me)(2)AlMe(2) (+)] to rac-[Me(2)Si(ind)(2)Zr(mu-Me)(2)AlMeiBu(+)] and rac-[Me(2)Si(ind)(2)Zr(mu-Me)(2)AliBu(2) (+)]. These species are unstable and release isobutene under formation of zirconocene hydrides.     

Unusual reactivity of tris(pyrazolyl)borate zirconium benzyl complexes

The synthesis and reactivity of [Tp*Zr(CH2Ph)2][B(C6F5)4] (2, Tp* = HB(3,5-Me2pz)3, pz = pyrazolyl) have been explored to probe the possible role of Tp'MR2+ species in group 4 metal Tp'MCl3/MAO olefin polymerization catalysts (Tp' = generic tris(pyrazolyl)borate). The reaction of Tp*Zr(CH2Ph)3 (1) with [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] in CD2Cl2 at -60 degrees C yields 2. 2 rearranges rapidly to [{(PhCH2)(H)B(mu-Me2pz)2}Zr(eta2-Me2pz)(CH2Ph)][B(C6F5)4] (3) at 0 degrees C. Both 2 and 3 are highly active for ethylene polymerization and alkyne insertion. Reaction of 2 with excess 2-butyne yields the double insertion product [Tp*Zr(CH2Ph)(CMe=CMeCMe=CMeCH2Ph)][B(C6F5)4] (4). Reaction of 3 with excess 2-butyne yields [{(PhCH2)(H)B(mu-Me2pz)2}Zr(Cp*)(eta2-Me2pz)][B(C6F5)4] (6, Cp* = C5Me5) via three successive 2-butyne insertions, intramolecular insertion, chain walking, and beta-Cp* elimination.     

Cationic hafnium silyl complexes and their enhanced reactivity in sigma-bond metathesis processes with Si-H and C-H bonds

Reaction of the mixed-ring silyl methyl complex CpCp*Hf[Si(SiMe3)3]Me (4) with B(C6F5)3 in bromobenzene-d5 yielded the zwitterionic hafnium silyl complex [CpCpHfSi(SiMe3)3][MeB(C6F5)3] (7), which is stable for at least 12 h in solution. Addition of PhSiH3 to 7 rapidly produced HSi(SiMe3)3, CpCp*HfH(mu-H)B(C6F5)3, and oligomeric silane products. Reactions of CpCp*Hf(SiR3)Me (SiR3 = SitBuPh2, SiHMes2) with B(C6F5)3 rapidly produced HSiR3 in quantitative yield along with unidentified hafnium-containing species. However, reactions of Cp2Hf(SiR3)Me (SiR3 = Si(SiMe3)3 (8), SitBuPh2 (9), SiPh3 (10)) with B(C6F5)3 quantitatively produced the corresponding cationic hafnium silyl complexes 12-14. The complex Cp2Hf(SitBuPh2)(mu-Me)B(C6F5)3 (13) was isolated by crystallization from toluene at -30 degrees C and fully characterized, and its spectroscopic properties and crystal structure are compared to those of its neutral precursor 9. The sigma-bond metathesis reaction of 13 with Mes2SiH2 yielded HSitBuPh2 and the reactive species Cp2Hf(eta(2)-SiHMes2)(mu-Me)B(C6F5)3 (16, benzene-d6), which was also generated by reaction of Cp2Hf(SiMes2H)Me (11) with B(C6F5)3. Spectroscopic data provide evidence for an unusual alpha-agostic Si-H interaction in 16. At room temperature, 16 reacts with benzene to form Cp2Hf(Ph)(mu-Me)B(C6F5)3 (17), and with toluene to give isomers of Cp2Hf(C6H4Me)(mu-Me)B(C6F5)3 (18-20) and Cp2Hf(CH2Ph)(mu-Me)B(C6F5)3 (21). The reaction with benzene is first order in both 16 and benzene. Kinetic data including activation parameters (deltaH = 19(1) kcal/mol; deltaS = -17(3) eu), a large primary isotope effect (kH/kD = 6.9(7)), and the experimentally determined rate law are consistent with a mechanism involving a concerted transition state for C-H bond activation.     

Highly efficient ethylene polymerisation by scandium alkyls supported by neutral fac-kappa3 coordinated N3 donor ligands

Reaction of [M(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2] (M = Sc or Y) with the neutral fac-kappa3 N3 donor ligands (L) Me3[9]aneN3 or HC(Me2pz)3 gave the corresponding trialkyls [M(L)(CH2SiMe3)3]; activation of the scandium congeners with B(C6F5)3 in the presence of ethylene afforded highly active polymerisation catalysts (Me3[9]aneN3 = 1,4,7-trimethyltriazacyclononane).     

Divergent pathways of C-H bond activation: reactions of (t-Bu(3)PN)(2)TiMe(2) with trimethylaluminum

The reaction of AlMe(3) with (t-Bu(3)PN)(2)TiMe(2) 1 proceeds via competitive reactions of metathesis and C-H activation leading ultimately to two Ti complexes: [(mu(2)-t-Bu(3)PN)Ti(mu-Me)(mu(4)-C)(AlMe(2))(2)](2) 2, [(t-Bu(3)PN)Ti(mu(2)-t-Bu(3)PN)(mu(3)-CH(2))(2)(AlMe(2))(2)(AlMe(3))] 3, and the byproduct (Me(2)Al)(2)(mu-CH(3))(mu-NP(t-Bu(3))) 4. X-ray structural data for 2 and 3 are reported. Compound 3 undergoes thermolysis to generate a new species [Ti(mu(2)-t-Bu(3)PN)(2)(mu(3)-CH(2))(mu(3)-CH)(AlMe(2))(3)] 5. Monitoring of the reaction of 1 with AlMe(3) by (31)P[(1)H] NMR spectroscopy revealed intermediates including (t-Bu(3)PN)TiMe(3) 6. Compound 6 was shown to react with AlMe(3) to give 2 exclusively. Kinetic studies revealed that the sequence of reactions from 6 to 2 involves an initial C-H activation that is a second-order reaction, dependent on the concentration of Ti and Al. The second-order rate constant k(1) was 3.9(5) x 10(-4) M(-1) s(-1) (DeltaH(#) = 63(2) kJ/mol, DeltaS(#) = -80(6) J/mol x K). The rate constants for the subsequent C-H activations leading to 2 were determined to be k(2) = 1.4(2) x 10(-3) s(-1) and k(3) = 7(1) x 10(-3) s(-1). Returning to the more complex reaction of 1, the rate constant for the ligand metathesis affording 4 and 6 was k(met) = 6.1(5) x 10(-5) s(-1) (DeltaH(#) = 37(3) kJ/mol, DeltaS(#) = -203(9) J/mol x K). The concurrent reaction of 1 leading to 3 was found to proceed with a rate constant of k(obs) of 6(1) x 10(-5) s(-1) (DeltaH(#) = 62(5) kJ/mol, DeltaS(#)= -118(17) J/mol x K). Using these kinetic data for these reactions, a stochastic kinetic model was used to compute the concentration profiles of the products and several intermediates with time for reactions using between 10 and 27 equivalents of AlMe(3). These models support the view that equilibrium between 1 x AlMe(3) and 1 x (AlMe(3))(2) accounts for varying product ratios with the concentration of AlMe(3). In a similar vein, similar equilibria account for the transient concentrations of 6 and an intermediate en route to 3. The implications of these reactions and kinetic and thermodynamic data for both C-H bond activation and deactivation pathways for Ti-phosphinimide olefin polymerization catalysts are considered and discussed.