Highly active polymerization of methyl methacrylate catalyzed by Pd-based β-ketoiminato complexes/MAO systems

The substituted β-ketoiminato palladium(II) complexes, Pd[CH₃C(O)CHC(NAr)CH₃](Pph₃)(Me) (1 Ar = α-napthyl, 2 Ar = fluorenyl), when was activated by methylaluminoxane (MAO), were used as highly active catalysts for methyl methacrylate (MMA) polymerization. The effects of temperature, co-catalyst to catalyst molar ratio and polymerization time on catalyst activities were reported. Structural analyses of the polymers by ¹H NMR spectra indicated that polymerization yielded poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with moderate syndiotactic microstructures. The polymerization results showed that PMMAs obtained using these complexes possibly arose from a coordination-insertion mechanism rather than a radical mechanism.     

Vinyl addition polymerization of norbornene catalyzed by β-iminoamine Ni(II) complexes/methylaluminoxane systems

Two nickel(II) complexes (A and B) bearing β-iminoamine ligands, [2-(ArNCH)-C₆H₄-NMe₂] (La, Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃; Lb, Ar = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses and ¹H NMR. X-ray crystal structure of complex B reveals that the six-membered chelate ring adopts a envelope conformation, with nickel(II) atom deviating from the plane of backbone aromatic ring by 1.164 Å. In the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO), both complexes showed moderate activities of 10⁵ g mol_Ni⁻¹ h⁻¹ for norbornene polymerization. β-iminoamine Ni(II)/MAO catalysts gave unimodal polymers (M_w, 3.16-8.02 × 10⁵ g/mol) with a relatively narrow MWD (M_w/M_n, 1.59-2.14), indicative of single-site catalyst behavior. The obtained polymers are vinyl-type polynorbornenes (PNBs), which are soluble in common solvents such as toluene, cyclohexane and dichlorobenzene.     

Highly enantioselective borohydride reductions of 2-phenacylpyridine catalyzed by optically active β-ketoiminato cobalt(II) complexes

The highly enantioselective reduction of 2-phenacylpyridine catalyzed by optically active β-ketoiminato cobalt(II) complexes with pre-modified sodium borohydride was achieved affording in high enantiomeric excess 1-phenyl-2-(2-pyridyl)ethanol, a precursor of sedamine derivatives. The enantioselective sense in the present reduction is discussed and compared to the asymmetric reduction catalyzed by other complex catalysts.     

Synthesis, structure and norbornene polymerization behavior of nickel complexes bearing two β-ketoiminato chelate ligands

A series of nickel(II) complexes bearing two nonsymmetric bidentate β-ketoiminato chelate ligands have been prepared, and the structures of complexes [(2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)NC(CH₃)C(H)C(Ph)O]₂Ni (4a) and [(2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)NC(CH₃)C(H)C(CF₃)O]₂Ni (4c) have been confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. These nickel(II) complexes were investigated as catalysts for the vinylic polymerization of norbornene. Using modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) as a cocatalyst, these complexes display very high activities and produce high molecular weight polymers. Catalytic activity of up to 1.16 × 10⁴ kg/mol_Ni · h and the viscosity-average molecular weight of polymer of up to 870 kg/mol were observed. Catalyst activity, polymer yield, and polymer molecular weight could be controlled over a wide range by the variation of the reaction parameters such as Al/Ni molar ratio, norbornene/catalyst molar ratio, monomer concentration, polymerization reaction temperature and time.     

Controlled/living ring-opening polymerization of ?-caprolactone catalyzed by phosphoric acid

The bulk ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ?-caprolactone (?-CL) by various phosphoric acids using phenylmethanol as the initiator was conducted. 1,1??-bi-2-Naphthol (BINOL)-based phosphoric acid was found to be an effective organocatalyst for ROP leading to polyesters at 90°C. The overall conversion to poly(?-caprolactone) was more than 96% and poly(?-caprolactone) with M _w of 8400 and polydispersity index of 1.13 was obtained. ¹H NMR spectra of oligomers demonstrated the quantitative incorporation of the protic initiator in the polymer chains and showed that transesterification reactions did not occur to a significant extent. The controlled polymerization was indicated by the linear relationships between the number-average molar mass and monomer conversion or monomer-to-initiator ratio. In addition, the present protocol provided an easy-to-handle, inexpensive and environmentally benign entry for the synthesis of biodegradable materials as well as polyesters for biomedical applications.     

Controlled/living ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone catalyzed by phosphoric acid

The bulk ring-opening polymerization(ROP) of ε-caprolactone(ε-CL) by various phosphoric acids using phenylmethanol as the initiator was conducted.1,1’-bi-2-Naphthol(BINOL)-based phosphoric acid was found to be an effective organocatalyst for ROP leading to polyesters at 90℃.The overall conversion to poly(ε-caprolactone) was more than 96% and poly(ε-caprolactone) with M w of 8400 and polydispersity index of 1.13 was obtained.1 H NMR spectra of oligomers demonstrated the quantitative incorporation of the protic initiator in the polymer chains and showed that transesterification reactions did not occur to a significant extent.The controlled polymerization was indicated by the linear relationships between the number-average molar mass and monomer conversion or monomer-to-initiator ratio.In addition,the present protocol provided an easy-to-handle,inexpensive and environmentally benign entry for the synthesis of biodegradable materials as well as polyesters for biomedical applications.     

Heterogeneous Copolymerization of Ethylene and α-olefins Using Aluminohydride-Zirconocene/SiO2/MAO by High-Throughput Screening

Copolymerizations of ethylene and α-olefins (1-hexene and 1-octene) using a supported catalyst derived from the activation of a zirconocene aluminohydride complex with PMAO and MMAO are reported. The supported (nBu-Cp₂ZrH₃AlH₂)/SiO₂/MAO system was evaluated by high-throughput techniques, in order to find approaches to the optimal copolymerization conditions. The polymerization reactions were carried out in a parallel polymerization reactors system (PPR) by Symyx Technologies, Inc. The screening of the activity of the supported system and the molecular weight (MW) of the polymers and copolymers obtained in the PPR, allowed us to optimize copolymerization conditions, like hydrogen (H₂) addition to control MW and molecular weight distribution (MWD), polymerization temperature, cocatalyst ratio, and solvent type. The copolymerization reactions were scaled-up in order to validate the performance of the catalytic system at higher polymerization scales, according to the results obtained in the combinatorial phase. The scaled-up copolymerizations of ethylene with 1-hexene and 1-octene, showed high activities and MW, and low comonomer incorporation (from 0.3 to 1.3 mol-%, determined by ¹³C NMR). However, the crystallinity (X_c), thermal properties (T_c and T_m) and densities of the polyethylenes obtained with the supported (nBu-Cp₂ZrH₃AlH₂)/SiO₂/MAO system, were significantly modified, approaching those of metallocene linear low-density polyethylenes (mLLDPE).     

A highly enantioselective Strecker reaction catalyzed by titanium-N-salicyl-β-aminoalcohol complexes

N-salicyl-β-amino alcohols 1 were synthesized and evaluated as ligands for catalytic asymmetric Strecker reactions. N-Benzhydrylaldimines derived from aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes reacted with TMSCN in the presence of 10 mol% of Ti-1 complex to give the Strecker products in excellent yields and in up to >98% ee. The presence of a protic additive is essential to ensure good conversion and reaction rate. The reaction conditions are simple and the stereochemical outcome is predictable from the configuration of the ligands, both enantiomers of which are readily synthesized.     

Synthesis of β-amino alcohols catalyzed by poly(vinyl chloride)-supported Schiff base metal complexes

Abstract  

Eight transition metal complexes of various Schiff bases supported on poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) were prepared and characterized. These metal complexes were screened as heterogeneous catalysts in the synthesis of β-amino alcohols by ring opening of epoxides with amines. The best catalyst was identified as a Ni(II) complex of PVC-supported 2-[(2-aminoethylimino)methyl]phenol and it was used in the synthesis of a number of different β-amino alcohols. The catalyst was found to be reusable for up to five cycles.     

Syntheses, structure and ethylene polymerization behavior of β-diiminato titanium complexes

A series of new titanium complexes bearing β-diiminato ligands [(Ph)NC(R₁)CHC(R₂)N(Ph)]₂TiCl₂ (4a: R₁ = R₂ = CH₃; 4b: R₁ = R₂ = CF₃; 4c: R₁ = Ph, R₂ = CH₃; 4d: R₁ = Ph, R₂ = CF₃) has been synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystal structures reveal that complexes 4a and 4c adopt distorted octahedral geometry around the titanium center. With modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) as a cocatalyst, complexes 4a-d are active catalysts for ethylene polymerization, and produce high molecular weight polyethylenes. Catalyst activities and the molecular weights of polymers are considerably influenced by the steric and electronic effects of substituents on the catalyst backbone under the same polymerization condition. With the strong electron-withdrawing groups (CF₃) at R₁ or/and R₂ position, complexes 4b and 4d show higher activities than complexes 4a and 4c, respectively.     

α-Arylation of β-diketones with aryl halides catalyzed by CuO/aluminosilicate

α-Arylation of β-diketones has been carried out over CuO/aluminosilicate catalyst under ligand-free condition. The reaction conditions were optimized with different solvents, bases, catalyst amounts, and temperatures using acetylacetone and 4-bromobenzaldehyde as a model system. The scope of the catalytic system was extended to include various substituted aryl halides. 27 examples were successfully demonstrated and the yields were ranging from 55% to 94%. C–Br bond was regioselectively activated in the presence of C–Cl bond. Similarly acetylacetone was chemoselectively arylated by 4-bromobenzaldehyde in the presence of dibenzoylacetone. Heterogeneous nature of the catalyst was confirmed by hot-filtration test. The catalyst was also found to be reusable.     

Homocoupling of benzyl halides catalyzed by POCOP–nickel pincer complexes

Two types of POCOP–nickel(II) pincer complexes were prepared by mixing POCOP pincer ligands and NiX₂ in toluene at reflux. The resulting nickel complexes efficiently catalyze the homocoupling reactions of benzyl halides in the presence of zinc. The coupled products were obtained in excellent to quantitative yields.     

Asymmetric Diels-Alder and Ficini reactions with alkylidene β-ketoesters catalyzed by chiral ruthenium PNNP complexes: mechanistic insight

Hydride abstraction from the β-position of the enolato ligand of the previously reported complex [Ru(3a-H)(PNNP)]PF(6) (5a; 3a-H is the enolate of 2-tert-butoxycarbonylcyclopentanone) with (Ph(3)C)PF(6) gives the dicationic complex [Ru(6a)(PNNP)](2+) (7a) as a single diastereoisomer, which contains the unsaturated β-ketoester 2-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one (6a) as a chelating ligand. The methyl analogue 2-methoxycarbonylcyclopentanone (3b) gives [Ru(3b-H)(PNNP)]PF(6) as a mixture of noninterconverting diastereoisomers (ester group of 3b trans to P, 5b; or to N, 5c), which were separated by column chromatography. Hydride abstraction from 5b (or 5c) yields diastereomerically pure [Ru(6b)(PNNP)](2+) (7b or 7c). Complexes 7b and 7c do not interconvert at room temperature in CD(2)Cl(2) and form opposite enantiomers of the Diels-Alder adduct upon reaction with Dane's diene (1 equiv). X-ray studies of 7a, 5b, and 5c give insight into the origin of enantioselection and the sense of asymmetric induction in the previously reported asymmetric Diels-Alder and Ficini cycloaddition reactions with 2,3-disubstituted butadienes and ynamides, respectively. Stoichiometric reactions (substrate coordination, cycloaddition, and product displacement) between [Ru(OEt(2))(2)(PNNP)](2+) (2), 6b (or 6a), and Dane's diene (15, to give estrone derivatives) or N-benzyl-N-(cyclohexylethynyl)-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide (17, to give cyclobutenamides) suggest that product displacement from the catalyst is turnover limiting.     

Asymmetric hydrocyanation of olefins catalyzed by chiral diphosphite–nickel complexes

Chiral aryl diphosphite ligands derived from binaphthol were found to be effective in the nickel-catalyzed hydrocyanation of a variety of olefins. Enantioselective hydrocyanations of styrene, 4-substituted styrenes and norbornene were achieved with excellent regioselectivity and moderate enantioselectivity. The hydrocyanation of vinyl acetate gave 72.9% ee. The catalytic activity and the enantioselectivity of the Ni(0)–diphosphite complexes were found to be highly dependent on the structures of the ligands.     

Asymmetric cyclopropanation catalyzed by copper–Schiff’s base complexes

The asymmetric cyclopropanation of styrene with alkyl diazoacetate were performed with copper complexes of Schiff bases, derived from substituted salicylaldehydes and a new chiral amino alcohol, as the catalysts. The electronic and steric properties, as well as the position of those substituents show obvious effects on the enantioselectivities, and ee higher than 98% were achieved under optimal conditions.     

Enantioselective Evans-Tishchenko reduction of β-hydroxyketone catalyzed by lithium binaphtholate

Lithium diphenylbinaphtholate catalyzed the enantioselective Evans-Tishchenko reduction of achiral β-hydroxyketones to afford monoacyl-protected 1,3-diols with high stereoselectivities. In the reaction of racemic β-hydroxyketones, kinetic optical resolution occurred in a highly stereoselective manner.     

Transesterification catalyzed by iron(III) β-diketonate species

A practical and clean protocol for transesterification catalyzed by a 5 mol % cheap, non-toxic and moisture stable Fe(acac)₃ or other iron(III) β-diketonate species in solvent, such as heptane under azeotropic condition is developed. A remarkable rate enhancement was observed upon the addition of 5 mol % of an inorganic base, such as Na₂CO₃, which suggests that faster formation of a dimeric μ-alkoxy-bridged iron(III) species under alkaline conditions facilitates catalytic turnover. This system provides smooth transesterification over a wide range of structurally diverse esters and alcohols without disturbing functional groups. In addition, the use of iron β-diketonate complexes as catalysts is more environmentally friendly, safer, and economical than other transition-metal catalysts. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that the active catalyst is likely a dimeric μ-alkoxy-bridged iron(III) species, as determined by X-ray crystallography of [Fe(dbm)₂(O-n-Bu)]₂ derived from the alcoholysis of Fe(dbm)₃ under alkaline conditions.     

Solvent-free telomerization of isoprene with alcohols catalyzed by palladium(ɪɪ) carbene complexes

Russian Chemical Bulletin - The effect of various factors on the activity and selectivity of palladium N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes in the telomerization of isoprene with alcohols has...     

The effect of polymerization conditions on crystalline of polybutene-1 catalyzed by metallocene catalyst

Polybutene-1 was synthesized stereoselectively with the precursorη5-(pentamethyl-cyclopentadienyl) tribenzyloxide titanium (Cp*Ti(OBz)3) and methylaluminoxane (MAO). The effects of polymerization conditions, trimethyl alumina (TMA) content in MAO and temperature on the crystalline and molecular weight of the products, and catalytic activity were investigated. The structural properties of the polybutene-1 were characterized with 13C NMR and WAXD.