Titanium and zirconium complexes with novel phenoxy-phosphinimine ligands

A series of novel phenoxy-phosphinimine ligands (L): L = 2-(Ph₂PNR), 4, 6-(CMe₃)₂-C₆H₂OH 2, R = SiMe₃; 3, R = Ph] have been prepared in the yield of 65-71%. And bis(phenoxy-phosphinimide) group 4 complexes of the type L₂MCl₂ 4, M = Ti, R = SiMe₃; 5, M = Zr, R = SiMe₃; 6, M = Ti, R = Ph; 7, M = Zr, R = Ph] have been synthesized by the reaction of the ligands with TiCl₄ and ZrCl₄. The structure of complex 7 has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The complexes 4-7 showed inactive to ethylene polymerization in the presence of modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) and i-Bu₃Al/Ph₃CB(C₆ F₅)₄. These results should be caused by overdoing the steric congestion around central metal.