Synthesis and ethylene polymerization behavior of {MeB(3-Ph-pyrazolyl)3}TiCl3

The new methyl-tris(pyrazolyl)borate reagents LiMeTp^Ph] (1) MeTp^Ph]⁻ = MeB(3-Ph-pyrazolyl)₃⁻) and TlMeTp^Ph] (2) react with TiCl₄ to afford (MeTp^Ph)TiCl₃ (3) in 77% and 81% yield respectively. 2 reacts with ZrCl₄ and HfCl₄ to yield mixtures of products. The reaction of 1 with TiCl₃(THF)₃ proceeds with B-N bond cleavage to afford TiCl₃(3-Ph-pyrazole)(THF)₂ as the major product (30%). The reaction of 3 with MeLi (3 equiv) yields 1 (60%) and reduced Ti species, via apparent displacement of MeTp^Ph]⁻ and generation of unstable TiCl₄Me_4−x species. Under MAO activation conditions (MAO = methylalumoxane), 3 polymerizes ethylene to linear polyethylene. 3/MAO is significantly more active in ethylene polymerization than the hydrido-tris(pyrazolyl)borate analogue {HB(3-Ph-pyrazolyl)₃}TiCl₃/MAO.