Catalysis of dimerization and oligomerization reactions of lower alkenes by systems based on Ni(PPh3)2(C2H4) and Ni(PPh3) n Cl (n = 2 or 3)

The catalytic characteristics of the individual complex Ni(PPh₃)₂(C₂H₄) and Ni(PPh₃) _n Cl (n = 2 or 3) and those of systems based on these complexes in combination with Brönsted and Lewis acids in ethylene and propylene oligomerization have been determined. A correlation between the BF₃ · OEt₂ solution storage time and the catalytic properties of the nickel systems has been established for the reactions of the lower alkenes. The observed increase in the turnover frequency and turnover number of the catalyst is due to the increase in the Brörsted acid concentration as a result of irreversible conversions of BF₃ · OEt₂ caused by its interaction with impurity water in the solvent. The formation of the Ni(PPh₃)₂(C₂H₄)-BF₃ · OEt₂ catalytic system in the presence of a substrate dramatically extends the system’s service life. The interaction of the nickel precursors with boron trifluoride etherate has been investigated using a complex of physical methods, and the main reactions yielding catalytically active species have been revealed.     

An unusual reaction product from a 1,3-diborolene and tetracarbonylnickel. Structure of a bis(allyl)nickel complex

The bis(allyl)nickel complex (η³-3-vinyl-2,4,5,6-tetraethyl-1-oxa-2,6-diboracyclohexenyl)(η³-2,3,4,5,6-pentaethyl-1-oxa-2,6-diboracyclohexenyl)nickel(IV) is formed by initial insertion of CO from Ni(CO)₄ into the five-membered 1,3-diborolene I, to give a six-membered ring. Subsequent exchange of the CHCH₃ group of I for the oxygen atom of the inserted CO and migration of a hydrogen atom from the

group of one ring to that of the other results in formation of the bis[1-oxa-2,6-diboracyclohexenyl]nickel, IV, having one vinyl and nine ethyl substituents. An X-ray structural analysis of IV shows the non-planarity of the C₃B₂O rings; the boron and oxygen atoms lie 0.4 and 0.7 Å, respectively, away from the best plane through the allyl carbon atoms. IV crystallizes in the space group P2₁/n with a = 9.065(2), b = 16.264(3), c = 10.187(2) Å, β = 104.28(1)°, and Z = 2.     

Conversion of ethanol into linear primary alcohols on gold,nickel, and gold–nickel catalysts

The direct conversion of ethanol into the linear primary alcohols C _n H_2n+1OH (n = 4, 6, and 8) in the presence of the original mono- and bimetallic catalysts Au/Al₂O₃, Ni/Al₂O₃, and Au–Ni/Al₂O₃ was studied. It was established that the rate and selectivity of the reaction performed under the conditions of a supercritical state of ethanol sharply increased in the presence of Au–Ni/Al₂O₃. The yield of target products on the bimetallic catalyst was higher by a factor of 2–3 than that reached on the monometallic analogs. Differences in the catalytic behaviors of the Au, Ni, and Au–Ni systems were discussed with consideration for their structure peculiarities and reaction mechanisms.     

Novel dendrimer-based nickel catalyst: synthesis,characterization and performance in ethylene oligomerization

A novel nickel metallodendrimer was synthesized with poly(amidoamine), 3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-benzaldehyde and nickel chloride via the Schiff’s base and the complexation reactions. Structures of the dendritic ligand and its nickel complex were characterized by IR, NMR, UV, ESI-MS and elemental analyses. This new nickel metallodendrimer as a catalyst precursor, together with methylaluminoxane as an activator, was evaluated in the ethylene oligomerization. Under the conditions of 0.5 h, 0.5 MPa, 25°C and Al/Ni mole ratio 500: 1 employed for the nickel complex, the catalytic activity showed a maximum value of 4.93 × 10⁵ grams per mole of Ni catalyst per hour. Substituents on the benzene ring seem to have a negative influence on the catalytic activity of the complex.     

Effect of the Composition and Morphology of the Active Phase of NiMoW/P-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Catalysts with Different Mo/W Ratios on Their Activity in the Reactions of Dibenzothiophene Hydrogenolysis and Naphthalene Hydrogenation

A series of catalysts have been synthesized Ni–Mo–W/P-Al₂O₃ with different Mo: W ratios (a sample without W, Mo: W = 2: 1, Mo: W = 1: 1, Mo: W = 1: 2, and a sample without Мо) and a concentration of P₂O₅ in a support of 0.5 wt %. Heteropoly acids H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀ · nH₂O and H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ · nH₂O and nickel citrate were precursors of the active phase. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to study the surface of the sulfide phase of the samples. Their catalytic activity was estimated in the reactions of dibenzothiophene hydrodesulfurization and naphthalene hydrogenation. A catalyst with the ratio Mo: W = 1: 1 showed the highest activity, and was characterized by the maximum concentration of atomic groups Ni–Mo–W–S, Mo–S, and W–S.     

Halonickel 2,4-di-t-butyl-6-(quinolin-8-yliminomethyl)phenolates: Synthesis, characterization and ethylene reactivity

A series of nickel halides bearing 2,4-di-t-butyl-6-(quinolin-8-yliminomethyl) phenolate ligands was synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis.Molecular structures of C1(R = H,X = Br) and C2(R = H,X = Cl) were further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallographic studies,and revealed a distorted square planar geometry at nickel.Upon activation with diethylaluminum chloride(Et 2 AlCl),all nickel pre-catalysts displayed good catalytic activity [up to 9.3 × 10 5 g mol 1(Ni) h 1 ] for ethylene oligomerization with major dimerization.In the presence of methylaluminoxane(MAO),the nickel complex C1 was capable of ethylene polymerization under 3 MPa,and produced polyethylene products with narrow polydispersity(1.16 1.73) and molecular weights in the range of 2.6 4.95 kg/mol.     

Microwave-assisted Ni–La/γ-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalyst for benzene hydrogenation

A series of Ni–La/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by adopting the methods of isometric impregnation and microwave impregnation. The catalysts were characterized with XRD, BET, and SEM, respectively. Inspecting the effects of adding La and the methods of impregnation on the hydrogenation activity of catalysts. The results show that adding a moderate amount of La promotes the dispersing of Ni on the carrier, the methods of microwave impregnation weaks the interaction between Ni and the carrier further, inhibits the formation of NiAl₂O₄, and the activity of catalyst prepared by the methods of microwave impregnation was significantly higher than that prepared by the methods of isometric impregnation. The hydrogenation activity of the Ni–La/γ-Al₂O₃ (WB) dipped with n(Ni): n(La) = 4: 1, microwave irradiation time 30 min with power 600W as well as calcined at 400°C exhibited the best performance. The conversion rate is 91.21% with reaction conditions: T = 160°C, p = 0.8 MPa, air speed 5 h^–1, n(H₂): n(benzene) = 2: 1.     

The molecular designs and properties of asymmetric heterocycles (HBrBN<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 1-4)

The structures and properties of asymmetric heterocycles (HBrBN₃) _n (n = 1-4) are systematically studied at the B3LYP/6-31G* level. The molecules (HBrBN₃) _n (n = 2-4) have the core structures of a 2n-membered ring with alternating boron and α-nitrogen atoms. The relationships between geometrical parameters and oligomerization degree n are discussed. The calculated IR spectra have four main characteristic regions. Trends in thermodynamic properties with temperature and oligomerization degree n are discussed. Thermodynamic analysis of the gas-phase oligomerizations shows that formation of the most stable heterocycles (HBrBN₃) _n (n = 2-4) is enthalpy driven in the range of 200-800 K.     

Prereforming of <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-tetradecane over Ce-promoted 50 wt% Ni/MgO–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalyst with high coke resistance

The effect of Ce-promotion on 50 wt% Ni-based catalysts during the prereforming of n-tetradecane and its optimum content were investigated. The Ni catalyst was synthesized by deposition–precipitation method. Next, various amounts of Ce (0–13 wt%) were loaded on the Ni catalyst by impregnation. The characteristics of the prepared catalysts were analyzed by XRD, H₂-TPR, BET, BJH, and H₂-chemisorption analyses. The prepared catalysts were tested under the prereforming conditions (temperature = 400 °C, GHSV = 3000 h^?1, and S/C = 3 and 4). The Ni catalyst was easily deactivated under the following conditions: temperature = 400 °C, GHSV = 3000 h^?1, and S/C = 4. The stability of all Ce-promoted Ni catalysts was improved as compared to that of the Ni catalyst. Among the Ce-promoted catalysts, 5 wt% Ce/50 wt% Ni/MgO–Al₂O₃ catalyst showed excellent stability even under the severe condition of S/C = 3. SEM, TEM, and TG analyses were performed in order to identify the main factor responsible for the rapid deactivation of the Ni catalyst. In the case of 0Ce/50Ni, Ni particles were encapsulated by many folds of coke and it was related to the rapid catalyst deactivation. However, after Ce promoted on the Ni catalyst, the thickness of the coke layers and the number of encapsulated Ni particles decreased and the deposited amount of coke on the catalyst also decreased.     

Oligomerization of α-olefins by the dimeric nickel bisamido complex [Ni{1-N(PMes2)-2-N(μ-PMes2)C6H4-κN,N′,P,-κP′}]2 activated by methylalumoxane (MAO)

The reaction of Li₂[1,2-{N(PMes₂)}₂C₆H₄], formed in situ from n-BuLi and the corresponding amines, with 1 equiv. of [NiBr₂(DME)] gives [Ni{1-N(PMes₂)-2-N(μ-PMes₂)C₆H₄-κ³N,N′,P-κ¹P′}]₂ (1). After activation by methylalumoxane (MAO), 1 is a highly active catalyst in the oligomerization and isomerization of α-olefins such as ethene, propene, isobutene, 1-hexene and 1,5-hexadiene. For ethene oligomerization turnover frequencies (TOFs) range from 3000 to 79015 h⁻¹, depending on the reaction conditions. The TOF for propene oligomerization reaches 1 190 730 h⁻¹. To our knowledge, catalyst 1, activated by MAO, is the most active catalyst for the oligomerization of propene and outperforms the best known complexes for this reaction. In the reactions with 1-hexene, 1,5-hexadiene and isobutene dimerization and isomerization products were observed.     

Novel neutral arylnickel(II) phosphine catalysts containing 2-oxazolinylphenolato N-O chelate ligands for ethylene oligomerization and propylene dimerization

A series of new neutral arylnickel(II) phosphine complexes 1 bearing 2-oxazolinylphenolato ligands [2-(4-R¹-5-R²-C₃H₂NO)-C₆H₄O]Ni(2-R⁴-4-R³-C₆H₃)(PPh₃) were synthesized by reactions of sodium salts of 2-(4,5-dihydro-2-oxazolyl)phenol derivatives with trans-Ni(Ar)(Cl)(PPh₃)₂ or by direct reactions of the ligands with trans-Ni(Ar)(Cl)(PPh₃)₂ in the presence of NEt₃. These neutral Ni(II) complexes 1 exhibited high activities and selectivities in ethylene oligomerization and propylene dimerization. The catalytic activities and the product distributions were dependent on the selection of various organoaluminum cocatalysts and phosphine scavenger (Ni(COD)₂). The effects of various reaction conditions on ethylene oligomerization were also examined. The highest activity of 5.51 × 10⁵ g oligomers/(mol Ni · h) and 83% selectivity of C₆ internal olefins were obtained in 1a/MAO catalytic system in ethylene oligomerization. The oligomers consisted mainly of lower carbon olefins in the range of C₄-C₈. Complexes 1 showed the moderate tolerance of polar additives in ethylene oligomerization. The highest activity of 1a/MAO in propylene dimerization reached to 1.32 × 10⁵ g oligomers/(mol Ni · h).     

Phenoxyaluminium compounds: VI. Complex and reaction mechanism of methylaluminium compounds with anisole

The reactions of anisole with organoaluminium compounds Me_nAlX_3−n have been investigated.The formation of a complex is the first reaction step, followed by cleavage and elimination of the gases MeX and small amounts of hydrocarbons. The yield of the gases and the cleavage rate decreases in the order: AlCl₃ >/ MeAlCl₂ > Me₂AlCl > Me₃Al and Me₂AlI > Me₂AlCl > Me₂AlBr. For most of the investigated reactions a marked decrease in gas evolution was observed after a short period of time. This is explained by the formation of an almost inactive mixed dimer (I) which at the

reaction temperature is more stable than the Me₂(Cl)Al : O(Me)Ph complex. It is suggested that dimer I is formed after the intramolecular reaction of the 2 : 1 complex II after elimination of MeX.

     

Ligand-redox assisted nickel catalysis toward stereoselective synthesis of (n+1)-membered cycloalkanes from 1,n-diols with methyl ketones

A well-defined, bench-stable nickel catalyst is presented here, that can facilitate double alkylation of a methyl ketone to realize a wide variety of cycloalkanes. The performance of the catalyst depends on the ligand redox process comprising an azo-hydrazo couple. The source of the bis electrophile in this double alkylation is a 1,n-diol, so that (n+1)-membered cycloalkanes can be furnished in a stereoselective manner. The reaction follows a cascade of dehydrogenation/hydrogenation reactions and adopts a borrowing hydrogen (BH) method. A thorough mechanistic analysis including the interception of key radical intermediates and DFT calculations supports the ligand radical-mediated dehydrogenation and hydrogenation reactions, which is quite rare in BH chemistry. In particular, this radical-promoted hydrogenation is distinctly different from conventional hydrogenations involving a metal hydride and complementary to the ubiquitous two-electron driven dehydrogenation/hydrogenation reactions.

A homogeneous nickel catalyst is described that forms (n+1)-membered cycloalkane rings from ketones and 1,n-diols following a radical-promoted pathway.     

One-Pot Synthesis of Secondary Amines from Nitroarenes and Aldehydes on Supported Copper Catalysts in a Flow Reactor: The Effect of the Support

The effect of the support on the properties of copper catalysts supported on γ-Al₂O₃, SiO₂, and TiO₂–SiO₂ with a ~5 wt % Cu content was studied in the one-pot synthesis of N-heptyl-p-toluidine from p-nitrotoluene and n-heptanal. The catalysts were characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, temperature-programmed reduction, and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption. The reaction was carried out in a flow reactor with the use of molecular hydrogen as a reducing agent. It was established that the nature of the support exerts a profound effect on the yield of the target secondary amine; in this case, 5%Cu/Al₂O₃ was found the most active catalyst. A combination of high catalyst activity in the hydrogenation of a nitro group to an amino group with the presence of acid sites, which facilitate imine formation as a result of the interaction of n-heptanal with p-toluidine, on the catalyst surface is necessary for reaching the greatest yield of N-heptyl-p-toluidine. The study of reaction mechanism on the 5%Cu/Al₂O₃ catalyst showed that p-nitrotoluene inhibits the hydrogenation of n-heptanal, and aldehyde hydrogenation into alcohol begins only after the conversion of the major portion of p-nitrotoluene as a result of the selective adsorption of the nitroarene under the conditions of the simultaneous presence of p-nitrotoluene and n-heptanal in the reaction mixture.     

DFT insight into asymmetric alkyl–alkyl bond formation via nickel-catalysed enantioconvergent reductive coupling of racemic electrophiles with olefins

A DFT study has been conducted to understand the asymmetric alkyl–alkyl bond formation through nickel-catalysed reductive coupling of racemic alkyl bromide with olefin in the presence of hydrosilane and K₃PO₄. The key findings of the study include: (i) under the reductive experimental conditions, the Ni(ii) precursor is easily activated/reduced to Ni(0) species which can serve as an active species to start a Ni(0)/Ni(ii) catalytic cycle. (ii) Alternatively, the reaction may proceed via a Ni(i)/Ni(ii)/Ni(iii) catalytic cycle starting with a Ni(i) species such as Ni(i)–Br. The generation of a Ni(i) active species via comproportionation of Ni(ii) and Ni(0) species is highly unlikely, because the necessary Ni(0) species is strongly stabilized by olefin. Alternatively, a cage effect enabled generation of a Ni(i) active catalyst from the Ni(ii) species involved in the Ni(0)/Ni(ii) cycle was proposed to be a viable mechanism. (iii) In both catalytic cycles, K₃PO₄ greatly facilitates the hydrosilane hydride transfer for reducing olefin to an alkyl coupling partner. The reduction proceeds by converting a Ni–Br bond to a Ni–H bond via hydrosilane hydride transfer to a Ni–alkyl bond via olefin insertion. On the basis of two catalytic cycles, the origins for enantioconvergence and enantioselectivity control were discussed.

The enantioconvergent alkyl–alkyl coupling involves two competitive catalytic cycles with nickel(0) and nickel(i) active catalysts, respectively. K₃PO₄ plays a crucial role to enable the hydride transfer from hydrosilane to nickel–bromine species.     

Complex study of nickel skeleton catalysts: V. Study of novel non-pyrophoric nickel skeleton catalysts by derivatograph

The structure and properties of non-pyrophoric skeleton catalysts prepared from NiSi, NiAlSi, NiMg and NiZn alloys have been studied—apart from other thermal methods—by means of the derivatograph.Our experimental results have contributed to the explanation of the non-pyrophoric behaviour of these catalysts. We demonstrated that the desorption of the hydrogen content in our catalysts is not accompanied by the oxidation of active nickel. This oxidation takes place only at higher temperatures, above 200°C, at a rate proportional to the amount of active nickel.Other constituents of the catalysts (adsorbed water, hydroxide content) were also determined from the experimental data. The outstandingly high Mg(OH)₂ content of the NiMg catalyst indicates that its structure is dissimilar: Mg(OH)₂ also acts as support for the catalyst.     

Nonoxidative conversion of methane and <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-pentane over a platinum/alumina catalyst

Methane adsorption on the Pt–H/Al₂O₃ and Pt/Al₂O₃ catalysts begins at Т = 475°C and is accompanied by the appearance of hydrogen in the reaction medium. At a higher temperature is raised to 550°C, the amount of adsorbed hydrogen increases to 1.1 and 0.8 mol/(mol Pt), respectively. According to the calculated degree of methane dehydrogenation on platinum sites at Т = 550°C, the Н/C ratio is 1.3 (at/at) for the Pt–H/Al₂O₃ catalyst and 1.5 (at/at) for the Pt/Al₂O₃ catalyst. The introduction of n-pentane into the reaction medium increases the yield of aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene and toluene) by a factor of 8.8 over the arene yield observed in individual n-pentane conversion. A mass spectrometric analysis of the arenes obtained with the Pt/Al₂O₃ catalyst has demonstrated that 37.5% of the adsorbed methane is involved in the methane–n-pentane coaromatization yielding benzene and toluene.     

Structural studies of nickel(II) complexes with 1-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butylimidazole-2-thione and 3-phenyl-5-methyl-pyrazole ligands

The nickel(II) complexes dichlorobis(1-tert-butylimidazole-2-thione)nickel(II) [Ni(tm ^t-Bu)₂Cl₂] (1), dinitratobis(1-tert-butylimidazole-2-thione)nickel(II) [Ni(tm ^t-Bu)₂(NO₃)₂] (2), dichloro-bis(3-phenyl-5-methyl-pyrazole)(1-tert-butylimidazole-2-thione)nickel(II) [Ni(pz^Ph,MeH)₂(tm ^t-Bu)Cl₂] (3) and dinitratobis(3-phenyl-5-methyl-pyrazole)(1-tert-butylimidazole-2-thione)nickel(II) [Ni(pz^Ph,MeH)₂(tm ^t-Bu)(NO₃)₂] (4) have been synthesized and studied. The single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out for 1 and 4 {Bruker Kappa Apex-II CCD diffractometer, MoK _α radiation}. Crystal data for 1: monoclinic C2/c, a = 16.949(2) Å, b = 8.6647(10) Å, c = 15.461(3) Å, β = 117.662(4)°, V = 2011.1(5) ų, Z = 4, D _calc = 1.460 g/cm³. Crystal data for 4: triclinic P-1, a = 9.9775(7) Å, b = 11.2254(8) Å, c = 14.8068(10) Å, α = 75.401(4)°, β = 87.422(4)°, γ = 74.874(4)°, V = 1548.86(19) ų, Z = 2, D _calc = 1.405 g/cm³. Coordination core of complex 1 adopts distorted tetrahedral geometry whereas core 4 has distorted octahedral geometry. The bonded nitrates are of two types coordinating as monodentate and bidentate ligands.