Titanium‐mediated [CpTiCl2(OEt)] ring‐opening polymerization of lactides: A novel route to well‐defined polylactide‐based complex macromolecular architectures

Among three cyclopentadienyl titanium complexes studied, CpTiCl₂(OEt), containing a 5% excess CpTiCl₃, has proven to be a very efficient catalyst for the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of L ‐lactide (LLA) in toluene at 130 °C. Kinetic studies revealed that the polymerization yield (up to 100%) and the molecular weight increase linearly with time, leading to well‐defined PLLA with narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n ≤ 1.1). Based on the above results, PS‐b‐PLLA, PI‐b‐PLLA, PEO‐b‐PLLA block copolymers, and a PS‐b‐PI‐b‐PLLA triblock terpolymer were synthesized. The synthetic strategy involved: (a) the preparation of OH‐end‐functionalized homopolymers or diblock copolymers by anionic polymerization, (b) the reaction of the OH‐functionalized polymers with CpTiCl₃ to give the corresponding Ti‐macrocatalyst, and (c) the ROP of LLA to afford the final block copolymers. PMMA‐g‐PLLA [PMMA: poly(methyl methacrylate)] was also synthesized by: (a) the reaction of CpTiCl₃ with 2‐hydroxy ethyl methacrylate, HEMA, to give the Ti‐HEMA‐catalyst, (b) the ROP of LLA to afford a PLLA methacrylic‐macromonomer, and (c) the copolymerization (conventional and ATRP) of the macromonomer with MMA to afford the final graft copolymer. Intermediate and final products were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography, equipped with refractive index and two‐angle laser light scattering detectors. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1092–1103, 2010     

Polymerization of n‐hexyl isocyanate with CpTiCl2(OR) (R = functional group or macromolecular chain): A route to ω‐functionalized and block copolymers and terpolymers of n‐hexyl isocyanate

Well‐defined ω‐cholesteryl poly(n‐hexyl isocyanate) (PHIC–Chol), as well as diblock copolymers of n‐hexyl isocyanate (HIC) with styrene, PS‐b‐PHIC [PS = polystyrene; PHIC = poly(n‐hexyl isocyanate)], and triblock terpolymers with styrene and isoprene, PS‐b‐PI‐b‐PHIC and PI‐b‐PS‐b‐PHIC (PI = polyisoprene), were synthesized with CpTiCl₂(OR) (R = cholesteryl group, PS, or PS‐b‐PI) complexes. The synthetic strategy involved the reaction of the precursor complex CpTiCl₃ with cholesterol or the suitable ω‐hydroxy homopolymer or block copolymer, followed by the polymerization of HIC. The ω‐hydroxy polymers were prepared by the anionic polymerization of the corresponding monomers and the reaction of the living chains with ethylene oxide. The reaction sequence was monitored by size exclusion chromatography, and the final products were characterized by size exclusion chromatography (light scattering and refractive‐index detectors), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and, in the case of PHIC–Chol, differential scanning calorimetry. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 6503–6514, 2005     

Synthesis and characterization of chiral poly(l‐lactide‐b‐hexyl isocyanate) macromonomers with norbornenyl end groups and their homopolymerization through ring opening metathesis polymerization to afford polymer brushes

We report the synthesis of the novel half‐titanocene alkoxide complex bischloro‐η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl(bicyclo[2.2.1]‐hept‐5‐en‐2‐oxy) titanium (IV), [CpTiCl₂(O‐NBE)]. This complex was employed for the synthesis of chiral poly(l ‐lactide‐b‐hexyl isocyanate) diblock copolymer bearing a norbornene end group with sequential addition of monomers. The poly(hexyl isocyanate) block is chiral due to the last l ‐lactide unit of the poly(l ‐lactide) block. This macromonomer was polymerized towards a chiral polymer brush structure with polynorbornene backbone and chiral poly(l ‐lactide‐b‐hexyl isocyanate) side chains using Grubbs first‐generation catalyst. The polymers were characterized using size exclusion chromatography (SEC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and their thermal properties were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 1102–1112     

Titanocene and zirconocene dichloride derivatives with hydroxylic reagents

The reaction of Cp₂TiCl₂ (Cp = C₅H₅) with ethanol in the presence of Et₃N in acetonitrile yields the derivatives CpTiCl(OEt)₂ or CpTiCl₂(OEt). Similar reactions of Cp₂MCl₂ (M = Ti or Zr) with glycols (GH₂ = 1,2-propanediol, 2,3-butanediol, pinacol or hexylene glycol) or fluoro-β-diketones (KeH = hexafluoroacetylacetone(hfa), benzoyltrifluoroacetone (bta) or 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (tta)) gave CpMCl(G) or CpMCl(Ke)₂.     

Synthesis and characterization of chiral poly(alkyl isocyanates) by coordination polymerization using a chiral half‐titanocene complex

A new chiral half‐titanocene complex, [CpTiCl₂(O‐(S)?2‐Bu)], is synthesized and characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. This complex is employed for the coordination polymerization of n‐butyl and n‐hexyl‐ isocyanate leading to chiral polymers, as revealed by their CD spectra. Only the left‐handed helix is produced, due to the chiral (S)?2‐butoxy group, which is bound to the polymer chain end. The polymerization of 3‐(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate produces less soluble polymers. On the other hand, phenyl isocyanate reacts slowly with the complex leading quantitatively and selectively to triphenyl isocyanurate. 2‐Ethylhexyl isocyanate is slowly and selectively cyclotrimerized in the presence of the half‐titanocene complex. However, a statistical copolymer of 2‐ethylhexyl isocyanate and hexyl isocyanate is produced. The reaction of benzyl isocyanate with the complex leads to a mixture of low molecular weight polymer and cyclotrimer. The polymers are characterized using SEC, NMR, and CD spectroscopy and their thermal properties are investigated by TGA/DSC analysis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2141–2151     

Cumulative subject index: vol. 176 (1979)–200 (1980)

Electron deficient CpTiCl₃ reacts with the bis-alkoxide CpCl$\text{TiOCMe}{}_2\text{CMe}{}_2\text{O}$ to produce the diolato dimer (CpTiCl₂)OCMe₂CMe₂O(TiCl₂Cp). CpTiCl₃ reacts with Cp₄Ti₄Cl₄(μ₂-O)₄, which also has two oxo ligands on each titanium atom, to produce [CpTiCl₂]₂O. These and other redistribution reactions indicate that destabilization results from internal competition for metal d-orbitals by strong π-donor (e.g. alkoxide) ligands. Equilibrium constants for the formation of the η²-acetyl complexes Cp₂Zr[C(O)Me]X by Co insertion into Cp₂ZrMeX decrease in the order X = Me>Cl>OEt. This reflects internal competition of π-donor orbitals on X with the oxygen donor orbital in the η²-acetyl functionally. The significance of this effect for Fischer-Tropsch syntheses in both homogeneouus and heterogeneous media is discussed.     

Visible light‐induced controlled radical polymerization of methacrylates with perfluoroalkyl iodide as the initiator in conjugation with a photoredox catalyst fac‐[Ir(ppy)]3

A new visible light‐induced controlled radical polymerization of methacrylate with perfluoro‐1‐iodohexane (CF₃(CF₂)₅I) as the initiator in the presence of a photoredox catalyst (fac‐[Ir(ppy)₃]) was developed. Mechanistically, a photoexcited fac‐[Ir(ppy)₃]* complex reacted with dormant C‐I species to generate the chain propagating radical and Ir^IVI complex, which could be reversibly reduced by the propagating radical. The molecular weight (M_n) and the corresponding distribution index (M_w/M_n = 1.4) were controlled in the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA). For the polymerization of functional monomers, such as glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and trifluoroethyl methacrylate, their monomer conversions could be up to 96 and 94%, respectively. No polymerization reaction took place without external light stimulation, indicating that the system was an ideal photo “on?off” switchable system. Furthermore, a clean diblock copolymer PMMA‐b‐PGMA was successfully synthesized with PMMA‐I as the macroinitiator. With CF₃(CF₂)₅I as the initiator, short CF₃(CF₂)₅? group tags were introduced on the produced polymer chains. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 3283–3291     

Lithium nitride reduction of Cp2TiCl2 and CpTiCl3: The synthesis of (Cp2TiCl2), Cp2TiCl2)n,Cp2Ti(CO)2 and chlorotetratitanium and nitridohexatitanium complexes

Stoichiometric reactions of Cp₂TiCl₂ or CpTiCl₃ with Li₃N in various molar ratios result in reduction to (Cp₂TiCl)₂, (CpTiCl₂)_n and (CpTiCl)₄ and provide useful synthetic routes. Further reduction produces hexanuclear nitrido titanium clusters, Cp₈Ti₆N and Cp₈Ti₆N₃, characterised from mass spectral evidence. The nitrido clusters react with HCl to form (Cp₂TiCl)₂ and Cp₂TiCl₂. (Cp₂TiCl₂ is also obtained by reaction with Me₃SiCl. Cp₂Ti(CO)₂ is formed by the reaction between Cp₂TiCl₂ and Li₃ N in THF in the presence of CO.     

Polymerization of 1,3-butadiene, 4-methyl-1,3-pentadiene and styrene with catalyst systems based on biscyclopentadienyl derivatives of titanium

1,3-Butadiene, 4-methyl-1,3-pentadiene and styrene were polymerized with dicyclopentadienyltitanium dichloride/methylaluminoxane (Cp₂TiCl₂/MAO) and dicyclopentadienyltitanium chloride/MAO (Cp₂TiCl/MAO). These systems are less active than cyclopentadienyltitanium trichloride/MAO (CpTiCl₃/MAO), but show the same stereospecificity as the latter; they give predominantly cis-1,4-polybutadiene, 1,2-syndiotactic poly(4-methyl-1,3-pentadiene) and syndiotactic polystyrene. Cp₂TiCl/MAO is much more active than Cp₂TiCl₂/MAO; this is probably due to the fact that in the reaction of Cp₂TiCl₂ with MAO, only a small amount of Ti(IV) is reduced to Ti(III), which is the active species in the polymerization of styrene and 1,3-dienes. An interpretation of the structure of the active species in Cp₂TiCl/MAO is reported.     

Mixed substituent poly[(vinyloxy)cyclotriphosphazenes]

The mixed substituent cyclophosphazene monomers N₃P₃Cl₄(OCH?CH₂)(OCH₂CF₃) ( 2 ) and N₃P₃Cl₃(OCH?CH₂) (OCH₂CF₃)₂ ( 3 ) undergo polymerization under radical initiation conditions to yield the mixed substituent poly[(vinyloxy)cyclotriphosphazenes] [CH₂CH(ON₃P₃Cl₄(OCH₂CF₃))]_n( 5 ) and [CH₂CH(ON₃P₃Cl₃(OCH₂CF₃)₂)]_n ( 6 ), respectively. A significant, progressive reduction in molecular weight compared to the parent polymer of the series [CH₂CH(ON₃P₃Cl₅)]_n ( 4 ) was observed and attributed to increased chain transfer. The thermal decomposition of 5 and 6 is similar to that observed for 4 with an exothermic elimination of HCl at modest temperatures. An alternative synthetic pathway involving nucleophilic substitution reactions of 4 provided [CH₂CH(ON₃P₃(OCH₂CF₃)₅)]_n ( 7 ), [CH₂CH(N₃P₃Cl₂(OC₆H₅)₃)]_n ( 8A) , [CH₂CH(ON₃P₃Cl_1.7(OC₆H₅)_3.3)]_n ( 8B ), [CH₂CH(ON₃P₃Cl_1.5(NHCH₃)_3.5)]_n ( 9 ), [CH₂CH(ON₃P₃Cl_3.8 (N(CH₂CH₃)₂)_1.2]_n ( 10A ), [CH₂CH(ON₃P₃Cl_3.4(N(CH₂CH₃)₂)_1.6)]_n ( 10B ), and [N₃P₃Cl₂(OCHCH₂)(N(CH₃)₂)]_n, ( 11 ). The thermal behaviors of all of the new polymers were examined by TGA, DTA, DSC, and pyrolysis mass spectrometry. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013     

Kristallstruktur und Bindungsverhältnisse von [W(O-t-Bu)4(THF)]

Crystal Structure and Bonding of [W(O- t -Bu)₄(THF)] [W(O-t-Bu)₄(THF)] is formed from [WCl₄(SEt₂)₂] and LiO-t-Bu in boiling tetrahydrofuran and characterized by a crystal structure analysis. The compound crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I4 with Z = 2 and the lattice dimensions a = b = 1158.8(2) and c = 940.7(2) pm at 80 °C. [W(O-t-Bu)₄(THF)] shows the molecular structure of a tetragonal pyramid with the oxygen atom of the THF molecule in the apical position. Surprisingly, the tungsten atom is deflected by 34 pm from the plane of the four oxygen atoms of the O-t-butyl groups against the direction of the W–O(THF) bond. The bonding modes are discussed on the basis of MO considerations.     

Stereospecific styrene polymerization and ethylene–styrene copolymerization with titanocenes containing a pendant amine donor

A series of monocyclopentadienyl titanium complexes containing a pendant amine donor on a Cp group ( A = CpTiCl₃, B = Cp^NTiCl₃, C = Cp^NTiCl₂TEMPO, for Cp = C₅H₅, Cp^N = C₅H₄CH₂CH₂N(CH₃)₂, and TEMPO = 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐N‐oxyl) are investigated for styrene homopolymerization and ethylene–styrene (ES) copolymerization. When activated by methylaluminoxane at 70 °C, complexes with the amine group ( B and C ) are active for styrene homopolymerization and afford syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS). The copolymerizations of ethylene and styrene with B and C yield high‐molecular weight ES copolymer, whereas complex A yields mixtures of sPS and polyethylene, revealing the critical role that the pendant amine has on the polymerization behavior of the complexes. Fractionation, NMR, and DSC analyses of the ES copolymers generated from B and C suggest that they contain sPS. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1579–1585, 2010     

CNN Pincer Ruthenium Catalysts for Hydrogenation and Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones: Experimental and Computational Studies

Reaction of [RuCl(CNN)(dppb)] ( 1‐Cl ) (HCNN=2‐aminomethyl‐6‐(4‐methylphenyl)pyridine; dppb=Ph₂P(CH₂)₄PPh₂) with NaOCH₂CF₃ leads to the amine‐alkoxide [Ru(CNN)(OCH₂CF₃)(dppb)] ( 1‐OCH₂CF₃ ), whose neutron diffraction study reveals a short RuO ??? HN bond length. Treatment of 1‐Cl with NaOEt and EtOH affords the alkoxide [Ru(CNN)(OEt)(dppb)] ? (EtOH)_n ( 1‐OEt?n EtOH ), which equilibrates with the hydride [RuH(CNN)(dppb)] ( 1‐H ) and acetaldehyde. Compound 1‐OEt?n EtOH reacts reversibly with H₂ leading to 1‐H and EtOH through dihydrogen splitting. NMR spectroscopic studies on 1‐OEt?n EtOH and 1‐H reveal hydrogen bond interactions and exchange processes. The chloride 1‐Cl catalyzes the hydrogenation (5 atm of H₂) of ketones to alcohols (turnover frequency (TOF) up to 6.5×10⁴ h^?1, 40 °C). DFT calculations were performed on the reaction of [RuH(CNN′)(dmpb)] ( 2‐H ) (HCNN′=2‐aminomethyl‐6‐(phenyl)pyridine; dmpb=Me₂P(CH₂)₄PMe₂) with acetone and with one molecule of 2‐propanol, in alcohol, with the alkoxide complex being the most stable species. In the first step, the Ru‐hydride transfers one hydrogen atom to the carbon of the ketone, whereas the second hydrogen transfer from NH₂ is mediated by the alcohol and leads to the key “amide” intermediate. Regeneration of the hydride complex may occur by reaction with 2‐propanol or with H₂; both pathways have low barriers and are alcohol assisted.     

Synthesis of zirconocene-acetylene and zirconocene-diacetylene polymer

A new class of organometallic polymer having a backbone of conjugated Poly-yne and Zr-metal atoms has been prepared. Trichloroethylene (TCE) and Hexachlorobutadiene (HCB) are quantitatively converted by n-butyllithium to dilithioacetylene (LiCCLi) and dilithiodiacetylene (Li CC CC Li) respectively. Quenching with Cp₂*ZrCl₂ affords high yields of the polymers Zr(Cp₂*)CC_n and Zr(Cp₂*)CC CC_n where Cp* = C₅(CH₃)₅ = pentamethyl cyclopentadienyl. The Cp₂*ZrCl₂ and the polymers were characterized by viscosity, molecular weight, elemental analysis, FTIR, NMR spectra, and TGA. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3899–3902, 1999     

Synthesis and characterization of brush diblock and triblock copolymers bearing polynorbornene backbone and poly(l‐lactide) and/or poly(hexyl isocyanate) side chains by a combination of coordination and ring opening metathesis polymerization

We report the synthesis of poly(l ‐lactide) and poly(hexyl isocyanate) macromonomers using bischloro‐η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl(bicyclo[2.2.1]‐hept‐5‐en‐2‐oxy) Titanium (IV), [CpTiCl₂(O‐NBE)]. These macromonomers bearing a norbornene end group were polymerized towards brush copolymers employing Grubbs' first generation catalyst. Brush copolymers consisting of blocks with different side chains were synthesized. The polymers were characterized by Size Exclusion Chromatography, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, and their thermal properties were investigated by Thermogravimetric Analysis, and Differential Scanning Calorimetry analysis. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 3455–3465     

Synthesis and thermal properties of crosslinkable phosphazene copolymers

Polyphosphazenes of formula [NP(OC₆H₄CN)_x(OCH₂CF₃)_2?x] (x = 0.04–2) were prepared. The copolymers were crosslinked via cyclotrimerization of the nitrilic function, using acid catalysts (chlorosulfonic acid, aluminum chloride) at elevated temperatures. The thermal properties of the crosslinked cyclomatrix polymer were compared to the linear polymer by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. When the 4-cyanophenoxy-2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy ratios were less than 0.2, the crosslinked polymers were soluble in polar organic solvents.     

NEW CYCLIC AND POLYMERIC PHOSPHAZENES DERIVED FROM N-SILYLPHOSPHORANIMINES

Silicon-nitrogen-phosphorus compounds of the type Me ₃ SiN═PR(R′)X(X= Cl, Br, OCH₂CF ₃ , OPh), known as N-silylphosphoranimines,are useful precursors to both cyclic and polymeric phosphazenes.Depending on the leaving group (X), thermolysis reactions afford either cyclic trimers, [N═PR(R′)] ₃ (when X = Cl, Br), or linear polymers,[N═PR(R′)]_n (when X = OCH ₂ CF ₃ or OPh). Treatment of the P-trifluoroethoxy and P-phenoxy derivatives, Me ₃ SiN═PR(R′)X (X = OCH ₂ CF ₃ , OPh), with alcohols at lower temperature usually results in the formation of cyclic phosphazene trimers via silyl ether elimination. Recently, we have applied these synthetic methods to the preparation of some new phosphazene systems including a series of 4-aryl-functionalized trimers and polymers and a variety of non-geminal, mixed-substituent cyclic trimers. Representative examples of the synthesis, structural characterization, and reactivity of these new phosphazenes and their Si─N─P precursors are reported here.     

Living ring‐opening polymerization of ϵ‐caprolactone with Ti alkoxides derived from the Cp2TiCl‐catalyzed SET reduction of aldehydes

A series of substituted benzaldehydes were investigated as initiators for the living ring‐opening polymerization (LROP) of ε‐caprolactone (CL) mediated by titanium alkoxides obtained from the Cp₂TiCl‐catalyzed single electron transfer (SET) reduction of the carbonyl group following the in situ reduction of Cp₂TiCl₂ with Zn. The aldehyde initiation was demonstrated (NMR) by the presence of the initiator derived fragment on the polycaprolactone (PCL) chain end. The effect of the nature of the aldehyde functionality (R‐Ph‐CHO, R = H, Cl, PhCH₂O, NMe₂, CH₃O, NO₂, and CHO), reagent ratios ([CL]/[aldehyde] = 50/1 to 400/1, [aldehyde]/[Cp₂TiCl₂] = 1/1 to 1/4, and [Cp₂TiCl₂]/[Zn] = 1/0.5 to 1/2), and temperature (T = 75–120 °C) was investigated over a wide range of values to reveal a living polymerization in all cases with an optimum observed at 90 °C with typical stoichiometric ratios of [CL]/[aldehyde]/[Cp₂TiCl₂]/[Zn] = 100/1/1/2. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2869–2877, 2008     

Luminescent polymeric ruthenium complexes with polystyrene‐b‐poly(methyl methacrylate) macroligands: The sequential activation of initiator sites for blocks generated by parallel polymerization mechanisms

The synthesis of polystyrene‐b‐poly(methyl methacrylate) diblock copolymers with a luminescent ruthenium(II) tris(bipyridine) [Ru(bpy)₃] complex at the block junction is described. The macroligand precursor, polystyrene bipyridine‐poly(methyl methacrylate) [bpy(PS–H)(PMMA)], was synthesized via the atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate from two independent, sequentially activated initiating sites. Both polymerization steps resulted in the growth of blocks with sizes consistent with monomer loading and narrow molecular weight distributions (i.e., polydispersity index < 1.3). Subsequent reactions with ruthenium(II) bis(bipyridine) dichloride [Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂] in the presence of Ag⁺ generated the ruthenium tris(bipyridine)‐centered diblock, which is of interest for the imaging of block copolymer microstructures and for incorporation into new photonic materials. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 4250–4255, 2002     

The reaction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-sulfinyltrifluoromethanesulfonamide with triethylphosphate and triethylphosphite

The reaction of N-sulfinyltrifluoromethanesulfonamide CF₃SO₂NSO with triethylphosphate and triethylphosphite results in N-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)triethoxyphosphazene CF₃SO₂N=P(OEt)₃, which upon heating is converted into the diethyl ester of N-trifluoromethylsulfonylamidophosphoric acid CF₃SO₂NHP(O)·(OEt)₂. The latter was also prepared by alcoholysis of N-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)trichlorophosphazene or of potassium salt of dichloroanhydride of N-trifluoromethylsulfonylamidophosphoric acid, or by the reaction of the salt CF₃SO₂NHNa with diethylchlorophosphate. Compound CF₃SO₂N=P(OEt)₃ does not rearrange into the isomeric diethyl ester of N-ethyl-N-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amidophosphoric acid CF₃SO₂N(Et)P(O)(OEt)₂, contrary to the statement in the literature on the easy rearrangement of phosphazenes RFSO₂N=P(OEt)₃ into amidates RFSO₂N(Et)P(O)(OEt)₂.