Toward stereoselective lactide polymerization catalysts: cationic zinc complexes supported by a chiral phosphinimine scaffold

The P-stereogenic phosphinimine ligands (dbf)MePhP═NAr (7: Ar = Dipp; 8: Ar = Mes; dbf = dibenzofuran, Dipp = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl, Mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) were synthesized as racemates via reactions of the parent phosphines (rac)-(dbf)MePhP (6) with organoazides. The ligands 7 and 8 were protonated by Br?nsted acids to afford the aminophosphonium borate salts (7)-H]BAr(4)] (9: Ar = C(6)F(5); 11: Ar = Ph) and (8)-H]BAr(4)] (10: Ar = C(6)F(5); 12: Ar = Ph). The protonated ligands 9 and 10 were active toward alkane elimination reactions with diethylzinc and ethyl-methyl-(S)-lactate]zinc to give the heteroleptic complexes {(dbf)MePhP═NAr}ZnR]B(C(6)F(5))(4)] (Ar = Dipp, 13: R = Et; 15: R = methyl-(S)-lactate; Ar = Mes, 14: R = Et; 16: R = methyl-(S)-lactate). By contrast, reaction of the tetraphenylborate derivative 11 with diethylzinc yielded a phenyl transfer product, (dbf)MePhP═NDipp]ZnPh(2) (17). Complex 15 was found to catalyze the ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide.