Synthesis and characterization of new bis(1-aryliminomethylenylnaphthalen-2-oxy)nickel complexes and their catalytic behavior for vinyl polymerization of norbornene

The synthesized 1-aryliminomethylenylnaphthalen-2-ol derivatives reacted with nickel chloride to form bis(1-aryliminomethylenylnaphthalen-2-oxy)nickel complexes. All resultant compounds were structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR and H NMR, and the structures of the formed complexes were elucidated by X-ray crystal structure analysis. The complexes show high catalytic activities for the vinyl polymerization of norbornene in the presence of methylaluminoxane. The catalytic activity variations have been followed by gas chromatography through monitoring the conversion of norbornene.     

Novel non-chelated cobalt(II) benzimidazole complex catalysts: Synthesis, crystal structures and cocatalyst effect in vinyl polymerization of norbornene

The novel non-chelated monodentate benzimidazole (BI) complexes CoCl₂(BI)₂ (1)-(3), where BI = 1-(2-methoxybenzyl)- 2-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1H-benzimidazole (1), BI = 2-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-1H-benzimidazole (2) and 2-methyl-1H-benzimidazole (3) were synthesized and characterized by single X-ray crystallography. Unexpectedly, in solid state these complexes show similar coordination behavior to their analogue nickel(II) benzimidazole complexes such as inter-molecular H-bonding pattern and presence of acetonitrile solvent molecules per unit of complex molecule. Moreover, among these cobalt catalysts 1-3, similar trend to that of nickel catalysts is observed for metal-to-nitrogen (M-X) coordination bond length and halogen-metal-halogen (X-M-X) bond angle. But unlike nickel(II) benzimidazole complexes, these catalysts show very low activity for vinyl polymerization of norbornene (NB) upon activation with methylaluminoxane (MAO); however, the activity abruptly increased in modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO). The presence of a small amount of toluene strongly hampered the activity, and the use of dry methylaluminoxane (dMAO) as a cocatalyst did not result in a high activity. The use of toluene-free solid modified methylaluminoxane (sMMAO) is found to be the best cocatalyst, where the highest activity of value 3.9 × 10⁷ g of PNB mol_Co⁻¹ h⁻¹ was achieved for 3/sMMAO at 30 °C.     

Controlled vinyl-addition-type polymerization of norbornene initiated by several cobalt complexes having substituted terpyridine ligands

A series of cobalt(II) complexes having terpyridine derivatives such as 2,2^′:6^′,2″-terpyridine (1), 4,4^′,4″-^tBu₃-2,2^′:6^′,2″-terpyridine (2), 5,5″-Me₂-2,2^′:6^′,2″-terpyridine (3), 6,6″-Me₂-2,2^′:6^′,2″-terpyridine (4) and 6,6″-(3,5-Me₂C₆H₃)₂-2,2^′:6^′,2″-terpyridine (5) was synthesized. The structures of 1, 3, and 4 were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The coordination sphere around the cobalt center in 1 can be described as pseudo square pyramidal. On the other hand, complex 4 has pseudo trigonal bipyramidal structure. Upon activation with d-MAO (dried-methylaluminoxane), these complexes showed high activities for the polymerization of norbornene (NBE). In particular, polymerization of NBE with 4/d-MAO system at room temperature resulted in quantitative yield within several hours to give the polymers with relatively narrow molecular weight distributions and controlled molecular weight. The polymerizations of NBE with these cobalt catalyst systems proceeded in vinyl addition polymerization, which was confirmed by ¹H NMR spectra of the resulting polymers.     

Nickel and cationic palladium complexes bearing (imino)pyridyl alcohol ligands: Synthesis, characterization and vinyl polymerization of norbornene

A series of nickel and palladium complexes bearing (imino)pyridyl alcohol tridentate [N,N,O] ligands, 2-(ArNCMe)-6-{(HO)CR₂}C₅H₃N (L1-L4), were synthesized and sufficiently characterized by elemental and spectroscopic analysis along with X-ray diffraction analysis. The X-ray diffraction demonstrated that five-coordinated nickel halide complexes (1a-4a and 1b) and six-coordinated nickel acetate complex (1c) were prepared, and cationic palladium complexes (1d and 2d) formed with the [PdCl₄]²⁻ counterion. All these complexes displayed high catalytic activities up to 1.883 × 10⁷ g(PNB) mol⁻¹(cat) h⁻¹ (2d) for the vinyl polymerization of norbornene on treatment with excess methylaluminoxane (MAO), affording the vinyl-type PNBs with high molecular weights and relatively narrow molecular weight distributions. The parameters of reaction conditions, the type of metals and steric effects of coordinative ligands had influences on the catalytic properties.     

Vinyl polymerization of norbornene catalyzed by a series of bis(β-ketoiminato)nickel (II) complexes in the presence of methylaluminoxane

A series of nickel complexes with β-ketoiminato ligands based on pyrazolone derivative were synthesized and characterized, which are highly active catalyst precursors for norbornene polymerization under mild reaction conditions through a vinyl-type polymerization mechanism. The catalytic activity could be up to 3.38 × 10⁷ g polymer/mol Ni h. The molecular weight distributions of the polynorbornenes (M_w/M_n = 2.05-2.56) indicate the presence of a single active species in the polymerization process.     

Synthesis,structure and olefin polymerization catalysis of nickel(II) complexes bearing N,O-chelate ligands

Four β-ketoimine ligands (two series) were prepared through traditional condensation reactions of β-diketones with 2,6-substituted anilines. Reaction took place only at the cyclohexanone carbonyl rather than at the acetyl or benzoyl carbonyl, even if more than two equivalents of the amines were added. Consequently, four new moisture- and air-stable bis(β-ketoamino)nickel(II) complexes, Ni[2–CH₃C(O)C₆H₈(=NAr)]₂ (Ar?=?2, 6-iPr₂C₆H₃, (1); Ar?=?2, 6-Me₂C₆H₃, (2) and Ni[2–PhC(O)C₆H₈(=NAr)]₂ (Ar?=?2, 6-iPr₂C₆H₃, (3); Ar?=?2, 6-Me₂C₆H₃, (4) were obtained and characterized. The solid-state structures of complex 1, 2 and 3 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Additionally, these complexes can be applied as highly active catalyst precursors for vinyl polymerization of norbornene (NBE) after activation with methylaluminoxane (MAO).     

Preparation, structure and ethylene polymerization behavior of mixed-halide nickel(II) complexes and cobalt(II) complex containing imidazolium

Preparation of two imidazolium salts, two monomeric nickel(II) and one cobalt(II) complexes bearing imidazolium ligands is described, The solid-state structures of these compounds have determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. After activation with methylaluminoxane (MAO) the nickel complexes show moderate catalytic activities of up to 6 × 10⁵ g PE mol⁻¹Ni h⁻¹ for polymerization of ethylene. Catalytic activities, molecular weights have been investigated under the various reaction conditions.     

Novel nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes with phenoxy-imidazole ligands: Syntheses, crystal structures and norbornene addition polymerization

The novel nickel(II) (1) and copper(II) (2) complexes bearing 2′-(4′,6′-di-tert-butylhydroxy-phenyl)-1,4,5-triphenyl imidazole ligand have been synthesized and characterized. The molecular structure analyses of complexes 1 and 2 indicated that Ni(II) centre in 1 adopts a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry with a dihedral angle of 85.2° between Ni(1)O(1)N(1) plane and Ni(1)O(1A)N(1A) plane, while the Cu(II) centre in 2 represents a distorted square planar coordination geometry with a cis-N₂O₂ arrangement of the donor atoms, the dihedral angle being 32° between Cu(1)O(1)N(1) plane and Cu(1)O(1A)N(1A) plane. After activation with methylaluminoxane (MAO), both Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes can be used as catalysts for the addition polymerization of norbornene (NB). The polynorbornenes (PNBs) are produced with very high polymerization activity (10⁸ g PNB mol⁻¹ Ni h⁻¹) for Ni(II) complex and moderate catalytic activity (10⁵ g PNB mol⁻¹ Cu h⁻¹) for Cu(II) complex, respectively. The high molecular weight polynorbornenes (10⁶) are obtained for complexes 1 and 2. Moreover, the distinct effects of polymerization temperature and Al/M ratio on catalytic activities and molecular weights of polymers are discussed.     

Ethylene polymerization catalyzed by substituted pyrazole nickel complexes

(Pyrazole)nickel dibromide complexes, (3,5-Me₂pz)₂NiBr₂ (1), (3-Mepz)₄NiBr₂ (2), (pz)₄NiBr₂ (3) and (3,5-^tBu₂pz)₂NiBr₂ (4), were prepared by the reaction of the appropriate pyrazole with (DME)NiBr₂. Solid-state structures of these complexes show a direct relation between the steric bulk of the pyrazole ligand and structure, with more bulky ligands forming four-coordinate complexes (1 and 4) whereas the less bulky ligands formed six-coordinate complexes (2 and 3). Activation of selected complexes (1 and 3) with methylaluminoxane (MAO) produced species that catalyzed the polymerization of ethylene to form high density polyethylene.     

2-Benzoimidazol-8-alkylquinolinylnickel(II) complexes as efficient catalysts for ethylene oligomerization and vinyl polymerization of norbornene

A series of nickel complexes LNiCl₂ (C1–C16), where L represents 2-benzoimidazol-8-alkylquinoline and its derivatives, were prepared as potential catalysts for the oligomerization of ethylene. The molecular structure of a representative complex C2·CH₃CH₂OH was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Upon treatment with diethylaluminium chloride (Et₂AlCl), all nickel complex pre-catalysts exhibited good activities in the oligomerization of ethylene. Furthermore, in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO), the nickel pre-catalysts were suitable for vinyl polymerization of norbornene.     

Pyridine bis(imino) iron and cobalt complexes for ethylene polymerization: influence of the aryl imino substituents

In the present paper, the synthesis of new pyridine bis(imine) ligands modified with halogens (Cl, Br, CF₃) or alkyl groups (Heptyl, tert-butyl, Phenyl, …) is reported. When coordinated with iron or cobalt dichloride, they yielded complexes which were associated to methylaluminoxane (MAO) to achieve the polymerization of ethylene. It was shown that cobalt catalysts are generally more sensitive to the ligand substitutions than the iron ones. The addition of a chlorine atom on the ligand frame is generally unfavorable. On the contrary, the presence of a bromine atom seems more favorable. Phenyl rings lead to almost completely inactive catalysts, probably because of a too weak coordination to the metal. It was also demonstrated that a mono-substitution of the aryl groups with an electron-withdrawing group (-CF₃) is sufficient to yield polymers, whereas, considering the bulkiness of this substituent only, oligomers would have been expected.     

Metathesis polymerization of norbornene and terminal acetylenes catalyzed by bis(acetonitrile) complexes of molybdenum and tungsten

The ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornene catalyzed by bis(acetonitrile) molybdenum and tungsten complexes, [M(η³-C₃H₅)Cl(CO)₂(NCMe)₂] (1-Mo: M = Mo, 1-W: M = W), which have two labile acetonitrile ligands, has been investigated. These complexes catalyzed the ROMP of norbornene as a single-component initiator. The highly cis-selective polymerization proceeded in a THF solution (95% for 1-Mo and 96% for 1-W), whereas polymerization in CH₂Cl₂ or toluene resulted in lower cis selectivity. The polymerization of terminal acetylenes using these complexes was also examined. The tungsten complex 1-W showed a high catalytic activity for the polymerization of terminal acetylenes, such as phenyl- and tert-butylacetylene. A highly active catalytic system for the ROMP of norbornene was achieved by the activation of the tungsten complex, 1-W, with one equivalent of phenylacetylene, giving poly(norbornene) with a high molecular weight (M_n = 391 × 10⁴) and a high cis selectivity (cis  89%).     

Vinyl polymerization of norbornene with nickel catalysts bearing [N,N] six-membered chelate ring: Important influence of ligand structure on activity

Norbornene polymerizations with nickel complexes bearing [N,N] six-membered chelate ring activated with methylaluminoxane were investigated. The influence of ligand structure such as β-diimine, β-diketiminate, fluorinated β-diketiminate, and anilido-imine ligand on catalytic activities for norbornene polymerization was evaluated in detail. Ligands led to different electrophilicity of the nickel metal center, and a relatively positive nickel metal center would result in high catalytic activities for norbornene polymerization. The influences of polymerization temperature and Al/Ni ratio on norbornene polymerization with nickel catalysts bearing β-diimine, β-diketiminate, and fluorinated β-diketiminate ligands were also examined. All of the obtained polymers catalyzed by these nickel catalysts bearing [N,N] ligand are vinylic addition polynorbornenes with different molecular weights.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of cobalt and nickel complexes of 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine

2?:?1 (L?:?M) Complexes of 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine (dhmp) with different Co(II) salts [CoCl₂·6H₂O, Co(SCN)₂, Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O, CoSO₄·7H₂O and Co(OTos)₂·6H₂O] and Ni(II) salts [NiCl₂·6H₂O, Ni(NO₃)₂·6H₂O, NiSO₄·7H₂O and Ni(OTos)₂·6H₂O] have been prepared (1–9) and studied by infrared spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Influences on the distortion of the coordination polyhedron, the arrangement of the donor atoms and the packing structure of the complexes were investigated in terms of the different kinds of anions and cations. In the metal chloride Complexes 1 and 2, water of hydration was found, while in Complex 3 the counterion (SCN^–) acts as a ligand. The crystal structures of all complexes, except 3, show N₂O₄ hexacoordinated metal ions; in 3 the coordination environment is N₄O₂. Complex 1 is another exception in containing cobalt(III) instead of cobalt(II) as for the other complexes with cobalt salts. Logically, in Complex 1, one of the dhmp ligands is mono-deprotonated. In the neutral Complexes 2 and 4–9, the basal planes of the octahedra are made up of O donors and N atoms occupy the axial positions. In 1 as well as in 3, two N and two O atoms form the base, but in 1 O, and in 3 N atoms are on the axis of the coordination sphere. Moreover, the nickel Complexes 2, 5, 7 and 9 are more symmetrical in structure than the cobalt Complexes 1, 4, 6 and 8, in accordance with the Jahn–Teller effect. Packing structures of the complexes show specific interactions based on strong and weak H-bonds that involve the counterions, hydroxy groups and aromatic units, leading to extended network structures.     

Dinuclear nickel (II) complexes bearing two pyrazolylimine ligands: Synthesis characterization, and catalytic properties for vinyl-type polymerization of norbornene

A series of dinickel (II) complexes of bis-2-(C₃HN₂(R₁)₂-3,5)(C(R₂)N(C₆H₃(CH₃)₂-2,6)Ni₂Br₄ (complex 1: R₁ = CH₃, R₂ = Ph; complex 2: R₁ = CH₃, R₂ = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl; complex 3: R₁ = R₂ = Ph; complex 4: R₁ = Ph, R₂  = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) were synthesized and characterized. The solid-state structures of complexes 1, 2 and 3 have been confirmed by X-ray single-crystal analyses to be in the form of a dinuclear and bromine-bridged structure. However, there is an equilibrium that shifts between the monomer and dimmer in toluene based on the characterization of UV-vis spectrophotometry. Activated by methylaluminoxane (MAO), these complexes are capable of catalyzing the polymerization of norbornene with moderate activity up to 6.64 × 10⁵ gPNBE/(molNi·h). The influences of polymerization parameters such as reaction temperature and Al/Ni molar ratio on catalytic activity and molecular weight of the polynorbornene were investigated in detail. The influence of the bulkiness of the substituents on polymerization activity was also studied. The obtained polynorbornenes were characterized by means of ¹H NMR, FTIR and TG techniques. The analyses results of polymers’ structures indicated that the norbornene polymerization is vinyl-type polymerization rather than ROMP.     

Vinyl polymerization of norbornene by mono‐ and trinuclear nickel complexes with indanimine ligands

A series of new indanimine ligands [ArN?CC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)OH] (Ar = Ph, R = Me ( 1 ), R = H ( 2 ), and R = Cl ( 3 ); Ar = 2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃, R = Me ( 4 ), R = H ( 5 ), and R = Cl ( 6 )) were synthesized and characterized. Reaction of indanimines with Ni(OAc)₂·4H₂O results in the formation of the trinuclear hexa(indaniminato)tri (nickel(II)) complexes Ni₃[ArN = CC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)O]₆ (Ar = Ph, R = Me ( 7 ), R = H ( 8 ), and R = Cl ( 9 )) and the mononuclear bis(indaniminato)nickel (II) complexes Ni[ArN?CC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)O]₂ (Ar = 2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃, R = Me ( 10 ), R = H ( 11 ), and R = Cl ( 12 )). All nickel complexes were characterized by their IR, NMR spectra, and elemental analyses. In addition, X‐ray structure analyses were performed for complexes 7 , 10 , 11 , and 12 . After being activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO), these nickel(II) complexes can polymerize norbornene to produce addition‐type polynorbornene (PNB) with high molecular weight M_v (10⁶ g mol^?1), highly catalytic activities up to 2.18 × 10⁷ gPNB mol^?1 Ni h^?1. Catalytic activities and the molecular weight of PNB have been investigated for various reaction conditions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 489–500, 2008     

Latent cationic palladium(II) phosphine carboxylate complexes for norbornene polymerization

The catalytic efficacy of trans‐[(R₃P)₂Pd(O₂CR′)(LB)][B(C₆F₅)₄] ( 1 ) (LB = Lewis base) and [(R₃P)₂Pd(κ²‐O,O‐O₂CR′)][B(C₆F₅)₄] ( 2 ) for mass polymerization of 5‐n‐butyl‐2‐norbornene (Butyl‐NB) was investigated. The nature of PR₃ and LB in 1 and 2 are the most critical components influencing catalytic activity/latency for the mass polymerization of Butyl‐NB. Further, it was shown that 1 is in general more latent than 2 in mass polymerization of Butyl‐NB. 5‐n‐Decyl‐2‐norbornene (Decyl‐NB) was subjected to solution polymerization in toluene at 63(±3) °C in the presence of several of the aforementioned palladium complexes as catalysts and the polymers obtained were characterized by gel permeation chromatography. Cationic trans‐[(R₃P)₂PdMe(MeCN)][B(C₆F₅)₄] [R = Cy ( 3a ), and ⁱPr ( 3b )] and trans‐[(R₃P)₂PdH (MeCN)][B(C₆F₅)₄] [R = Cy ( 4a ), and ⁱPr ( 4b )], possible products from thermolysis of trans‐[(R₃P)₂Pd(O₂CMe)(MeCN)][B(C₆F₅)₄] [R = Cy ( 1a ) and ⁱPr ( 1g )], as well as trans‐[(R₃P)₂Pd(η³‐C₃H₅)][B(C₆F₅)₄] [R = Cy ( 5a ), and ⁱPr ( 5b )], were also examined as catalysts for solution polymerization of Decyl‐NB. A maximum activity of 5360 kg/(molPd h) of 2a was achieved at a Decyl‐NB/Pd: 26,700 ratio which is slightly better than that achieved with 5a [activity: 5030 kg/(molPd h)] but far less compared with 4a [activity: 6110 kg/(molPd h)]. Polydispersity values indicate a single highly homogeneous character of the active catalyst species. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 103–110, 2009     

Vinylic polymerization of norbornene by neutral nickel(II)‐based catalysts

Neutral Ni(II) salicylaldiminato complexes activated with modified methylaluminoxane as catalysts were used for the vinylic polymerization of norbornene. Catalyst activities of up to 7.08 × 10⁴ kg_pol/(mol_Ni · h) and viscosity‐average molecular weights of polymer up to 1.5 × 10⁶ g/mol were observed at optimum conditions. Polynorbornenes are amorphous, soluble in organic solvents, highly stable, and show glass‐transition temperatures around 390 °C. Catalyst activity, polymer yield, and polymer molecular weight can be controlled over a wide range by the variation of the reaction parameters such as the Al/Ni ratio, monomer/catalyst ratio, monomer concentration, polymerization reaction temperature, and time. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2680–2685, 2002     

Vinyl‐type polymerization of norbornene by nickel(II) bisbenzimidazole catalysts

Novel nickel(II) bisbenzimidazole complexes were prepared via a three‐step synthetic procedure consisting of aniline/diacid condensation, ligand N‐alkylation, and metal complexation. The complexes were characterized by X‐ray crystallography and found to possess a pseudotetrahedral geometry. Upon activation with methylaluminoxane, these nickel bisbenzimidazoles did not polymerize simple olefins (e.g., ethylene, propylene, and 1‐butene) but were found to carry out the rapid and efficient polymerization of norbornene. The polynorbornene products were characterized by gel permeation chromatography/light scattering, ¹³C NMR, and IR, and their Mark–Houwink and dn/dc parameters were determined. The molecular weights of the polynorbornenes were very high (weight‐average molecular weight = 587,000–797,000 g/mol). ¹³C NMR suggested that the polymerization occurred via vinyl addition (i.e., a 2,3‐linked polymer); no ring‐opened product was observed. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the polynorbornenes were stable up to 400 °C under nitrogen. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2095–2106, 2003     

Synthesis and crystal structure characterization of iron(II), cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes with 1,3-bis(2-pyridylmethylthio)propane

Three new mononuclear complexes of nitrogen–sulfur donor sets, formulated as [Fe^II(L)Cl₂] (1), [Co^II(L)Cl₂] (2) and [Ni^II(L)Cl₂] (3) where L = 1,3-bis(2-pyridylmethylthio)propane, were synthesized and isolated in their pure form. All the complexes were characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The solid state structures of complexes 1 and 3 have been established by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The structural analysis evidences isomorphous crystals with the metal ion in a distorted octahedral geometry that comprises NSSN ligand donors with trans located pyridine rings and chlorides in cis positions. In dimethylformamide solution, the complexes were found to exhibit Fe^II/Fe^III, Co^II/Co^III and Ni^II/Ni^III quasi-reversible redox couples in cyclic voltammograms with E_1/2 values (versus Ag/AgCl at 298 K) of +0.295, +0.795 and +0.745 V for 1, 2 and 3, respectively.