Allylansa-Lanthanidocenes: Single-Component, Single-Site Catalysts for Controlled Syndiospecific Styrene and Styrene–Ethylene (Co)Polymerization

A series of new neutral allyl Group 3 metal complexes bearing ansa-bridged fluorenyl/cyclopentadienyl ligands [[Flu-EMe(2)-(3-R-Cp)]Ln(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(THF)] (E=C, R=H, Ln=Y (2), La (3), Nd (4), Sm (5); R=tBu, Ln=Y (8), Nd (9); E=Si, R=H, Ln=Y (12), Nd (13)) were synthesized in good yields via salt metathesis protocols. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy for diamagnetic complexes, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies for 2, 4, 9 and 12. Some of the allyl ansa-lanthanidocenes, especially 4, are effective single-component catalysts for the polymerization of styrene, giving pure syndiotactic polystyrenes (rrrr > 99 %) with low to high molecular weights (M(n)=6000-135,000 g mol(-1)) and narrow polydispersities (M(w)/M(n)=1.2-2.6). The catalyst systems are remarkably stable, capable of polymerizing styrene up to 120 degrees C with high activities, while maintaining high syndiotacticity via chain-end control as established by a Bernoullian analysis. Highly effective copolymerization of styrene with ethylene was achieved using neodymium complex 4 (activity up to 2530 kg PS-PE mol(-1) h(-1)) to give true copolymers void of homopolymers with M(n)=9000-152,000 g mol(-1) and narrow polydispersities (M(w)/M(n)=1.2-2.5). The nature of the resultant P(S-co-E) copolymers was ascertained by NMR, size-exclusion chromatography/refractive index/UV, temperature rising elusion fractionation, and differential scanning calorimetry. It is shown that, regardless the amount of ethylene incorporated (1-50 mol %), P(S-co-E) copolymers have a microstructure predominantly made of long highly syndiotactic PS sequences separated by single or few ethylene units. Co-monomers feed and polymerization temperature can be used straightforwardly to manipulate with the physical and mechanical characteristics of the P(S-co-E) copolymers (molecular weights and distributions, co-monomer content, microstructure, T(m), T(g), T(c)).

Joining the rings: the preparation of 2- and 3-indenyl-triptycenes, and curious related processes

The indenyltriptycenes, and , where the 3- or 2-indenyl, respectively, is attached at the 9-position of the triptycene, are attractive prototypes of molecular gearing systems that can also incorporate a brake. These molecules have been prepared from their respective indenylanthracenes, and , by the [4 + 2] cycloaddition of benzyne to the anthracene fragment, and the rotational barriers about the indenyl-triptycenyl single bonds in (12 kcal mol(-1)) and (<9 kcal mol(-1)) have been measured. The precursor anthracenes, and , were prepared by using palladium-catalysed coupling reactions. Unexpectedly, the Heck-type reaction of 9-bromoanthracene, , with indene leads to the formation of 3-indenylanthracene ; moreover, this process is accompanied by a novel palladium-catalysed carbocyclisation reaction leading to the indenophenanthrylene . The addition of benzyne to 9-(3-indenyl)anthracene, , yields the corresponding indenyltriptycene, , and, surprisingly, the anthracenyl methano-bridged phenanthrene . It has been demonstrated that 2-arylindenes can act as 1,3-dienes in the [4 + 2] cycloadditions of benzyne. The products , , and have been characterised by X-ray crystallography.

Snakes and ladders. The sigmatropic shiftamer concept

Sigmatropic shiftamers are organic molecules (conceived originally as polymers) in which bonds migrate back and forth along their frameworks. In this Account, we describe the origins of the sigmatropic shiftamer concept, theoretical predictions of molecular architectures that may support shiftamer behavior, and possible future directions for research on this class of molecules.

Tuning Haptotropic Rearrangements of Arene-Chromium Complexes: Steric and Electronic Effects of Phosphorus Coligands

(Eta6-arene)tricarbonylchromium 2 was synthesised by [3+2+1] benzannulation of the Fischer carbene complex 1 and converted to the thermodynamically more favorable regioisomer 3 by haptotropic metal migration. Photo-induced ligand-exchange reactions in both regioisomers with triphenylphosphine, triphenylphosphite, trimethylphosphine, and trimethylphosphite afforded dicarbonyl(phosphine or phosphite)arene complexes 4-11. The regioisomers were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and kinetic analyses of the thermo-induced haptotropic metal shift were performed with regioisomers 4, 6, 8, and 10. The kinetic parameters were compared with those obtained for the parent tricarbonyl complex 2 and were discussed in terms of the steric and electronic properties of the phosphorus ligands by applying a quantitative analysis of ligand effects (QALE). The molecular structures of regioisomeric PPh3 and P(OPh)3 complexes 4/5 and 6/7 as well as of P(OMe)3 complex 10 have been established by single-crystal X-ray analysis.

A Convenient Synthetic Route to Benz[cd]azulenes: Versatile Ligands with the Potential To Bind Metals in an η5, η6, or η7Fashion

A facile method for preparing the 2H-benz[cd]azulene system, based upon an elaboration of the guaiazulene framework, is presented. Aerial oxidation to the corresponding 8-(2-propylidene)-benz[cd]azulene, and also cycloaddition reactions with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE), are described. The first X-ray crystal structure of a 2H-benz[cd]azulene, as an eta6-coordinated Cr(CO)3 complex, is reported.

Controlled haptotropic rearrangements – towards a stereospecific molecular switch based on chiral arene chromium complexes

A stereospecific molecular switch has been designed based on a reversible thermo- or photo-induced haptotropic shift of a Cr(CO)3 fragment along a naphthohydroquinone skeleton.

The reactivity of Mo(PMe3)(6) towards heterocyclic nitrogen compounds: transformations relevant to hydrodenitrogenation

The reactions of Mo(PMe3)6 towards a variety of five- and six-membered heterocyclic nitrogen compounds (namely, pyrrole, indole, carbazole, pyridine, quinoline, and acridine) have been studied to provide structural models for the coordination of these heterocycles to the molybdenum centers of hydrodenitrogenation catalysts. Pyrrole reacts with Mo(PMe3)6 to yield the eta5-pyrrolyl derivative (eta5-pyr)Mo(PMe3)3H, while indole gives sequentially (eta1-indolyl)Mo(PMe3)4H, (eta5-indolyl)Mo(PMe3)3H, and (eta6-indolyl)Mo(PMe3)3H, with the latter representing the first example of a structurally characterized complex with an eta6-indolyl ligand. Likewise, carbazole reacts with Mo(PMe3)6 to give (eta6-carbazolyl)Mo(PMe3)3H with an eta6-carbazolyl ligand. The reactions of Mo(PMe3)6 with six-membered heterocyclic nitrogen compounds display interesting differences in the nature of the products. Thus, Mo(PMe3)6 reacts with pyridine to give an eta2-pyridyl derivative [eta2-(C5H4N)]Mo(PMe3)4H as a result of alpha-C-H bond cleavage, whereas quinoline and acridine give products of the type (eta6-ArH)Mo(PMe3)3 in which both ligands coordinate in an eta6-manner. For the reaction with quinoline, products with both carbocyclic and heterocyclic coordination modes are observed, namely [eta6-(C6)-quinoline]Mo(PMe3)3 and [eta6-(C5N)-quinoline]Mo(PMe3)3, whereas only carbocyclic coordination is observed for acridine.