Tridentate [N,N,O] Schiff-base group 4 metal complexes: Synthesis, structural characterization and reactivity in olefin polymerization

NMR spectroscopy and X-ray characterisation of cationic N-heteroaryl-pyridylamido Zr(IV) complexes: a further level of complexity for the elusive active species of pyridylamido olefin polymerisation catalysts

New [(N(-),N,N(-))ZrR2] dialkyl complexes (N(-),N,N(-)=pyrrolyl-pyridyl-amido or indolyl-pyridyl-amido; R=Me or CH2Ph) have been synthesised and tested as pre-catalysts for ethene and propene polymerisation in combination with different activators, such as B(C6F5)3, [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4], [HNMe2Ph][B(C6F5)4] or solid AlMe3-depleted methylaluminoxane (DMAO). Polyethylene (M(w)>2 MDa and M(w)/M(n)= 1.3-1.6) has been produced if pre-catalysts were activated with 1000 equivalents of DMAO (based on Al) [activity >1000 kg(PE)(mol([Zr]) h mol atm)(-1)] or by using a higher pre-catalyst concentration and a mixture of [HNPhMe2][B(C6F5)4] (1 equiv) and AliBu2H (60 equiv). In the case of propene polymerisation, activity has been observed only if pre-catalysts were treated with an excess of AliBu2H prior to addition of DMAO, which led to highly isotactic polypropylene ([mmmm]>95%). Neutral pre-catalysts and ion pairs derived from their activation have been characterised in solution by using advanced 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy experiments. The detection and rationalisation of intercationic NOEs clearly showed the formation of dimeric species in which some pyrrolyl or indolyl π-electron density of one unit is engaged in stabilising the metal centre of the other unit, which relegates the counterions in the second coordination sphere. The solid-state structure of the dimeric indolyl-pyridyl-amidomethylzirconium derivative, determined by X-ray diffraction studies, points toward a weak Zr···η(3)-indolyl interaction. It can be hypothesised that the formation of dimeric cationic species hampers monomer coordination (especially of less reactive α-olefins) and that addition of AliBu2H is crucial to split the homodimers.

(Phenoxyimidazolyl-salicylaldimine)iron complexes: synthesis, properties and iron catalysed ethylene reactions

(Salicyladimine)iron(iii) pre-catalysts, from iron(ii) precursors, form catalysts for ethylene oligomerisation, polymerisation and alkylation of aromatic solvents by the ethylene oligomers.

Synthesis of Ti(IV) complexes of donor-functionalised phenoxy-imine tridentates and their evaluation in ethylene oligomerisation and polymerisation

A number of analogues of the Mitsui Chemicals ethylene trimerisation system (IV) have been explored, in which one of the donor atoms have been modified. Thus, a series of mono-anionic tridentate phenoxy-imine (3-(t-butyl)-2-(OH)-C6H4C=N(C(CH3)2CH2OMe) 1, 3-(adamantyl)-2-(OH)-C6H4C=N(2'-(2''-(SMe)C6H4)-C6H4) 2, 3-(t-butyl)-2-(OSiMe3)-C6H4C=N(C(CH3)2CH2OMe) 3) or phenoxy-amine (3,5-di(t-butyl)-2-(OH)-C6H4CH2-N(2'-(2''-(OMe)C6H4)-C6H4) 4) ligands have been prepared and reacted with TiCl4 or TiCl4(thf)2 to give the mono-ligand complexes 5-7. The solid state structures of compounds 4-6 have been determined. Complexes 5-7 have been tested for their potential as ethylene oligomerisation/polymerisation systems in conjunction with MAO activator and benchmarked against the Mitsui phenoxy-imine trimerisation system IV. While the phenoxy-amine complex 6 shows a propensity for polymer formation, the phenoxy-imine complexes 5 and 7 show somewhat increased formation of short chain LAOs. Complex 5 is selective for 1-butene in the oligomeric fraction, while 7 displays liquid phase selectivity to 1-hexene. As such 7, which is a sulfur substituted analogue of the Mitsui system IV, displays similar characteristics to the parent catalyst. However, its utility is limited by the lower activity and predominant formation of polyethylene.

Synthesis and characterization of novel titanium complexes bearing [ONX]-type β-enaminoketonato ligands and their application to ethylene (co)polymerization

A series of novel titanium complexes bearing tridentate β-enaminoketonato chelating ligands of type, [R(2)NC(CF(3))C(H)CR(1)O]TiCl(3) (2a: R(1) = Ph, R(2) = -C(6)H(4)OMe(o); 2b: R(1) = Ph, R(2) = -C(9)H(6)N; 2c: R(1) = Ph, R(2) = -C(6)H(4)SMe(o); 2d: R(1) = Ph, R(2) = -C(6)H(4)SPh(o); 2e: R(1) = (t)Bu, R(2) = -C(6)H(4)SPh(o)) and [R(2)NC(R(1))C(H)C(CF(3))O]TiCl(3) (2f: R(1) = Ph, R(2) = -C(6)H(4)PPh(2)(o)) were prepared from TiCl(4) by treating with one equiv of deprotonated ligands in toluene. The reaction of 1a with equivalent of TiCl(4) in THF afforded another complex, C(6)H(4)OMeNC(CF(3))C(H)CPhO]TiCl(3)(thf) (3a), in addition to formation of the dichloride complex 4a, [C(6)H(4)(OMe)NC(CF(3))C(H)CPhO](2)TiCl(2). After deprotonation by alkali-metal hydride at -78 °C in diethyl ether, ligand 1a could react with 0.5 equiv of TiCl(4) to form the exclusive and clean dichloride complex 4a in high yield. These complexes were identified by NMR and mass spectra as well as elemental analyses. X-ray diffraction studies on these new trichloride complexes revealed a distorted octahedral coordination of the central metal with three chlorine atoms in a mer disposition. Dichloride complex 4a also adopted a distorted octahedral geometry around the titanium center. Two chlorine atoms are situated in the cis position, as seen in the bond angles for Cl(1)-Ti-Cl(2) (92.64(7)°). The O atom on the heterocyclic group was not coordinated with Ti. When activated by modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), complexes 2a-e exhibited moderate to high activity towards ethylene (co)polymerization, giving relatively high molecular weight polymers with unimodal molecular weight distribution.