Sterically Encumbered and Poorly Electron-Donating Oxaphosphaadamantane Ligands for the Pd-Catalyzed Telomerization of Butadiene with Methanol

Preparation of Extremely Active Ethylene Tetramerization Catalyst [iPrN(PAr2)2−CrCl2]+[B(C6F5)4]– (Ar = −C6H4-p-SiR3)

Numerous efforts have been made to achieve “on-purpose” 1-octene production since Sasol discovered a Cr-based selective ethylene tetramerization catalyst in the early 2000s. By preparing a series of bis(phosphine) ligands iPrN(PAr2)2 where the Ar contains a bulky –SiR3 substituent (Ar = −C6H4-p-Si(nBu)3 (1), −C6H4-p-Si(1-hexyl)3 (2), −C6H4-p-Si(1-octyl)3 (3), −C6H4-p-Si(2-ethylhexyl)3 (4), −C6H4-p-Si(3,7-dimethyloctyl)3 (5)), we obtained an extremely active catalyst that meets the criteria for commercial utilization. The Cr complexes [iPrN(PAr2)2−CrCl2]+[B(C6F5)4]–, obtained by reacting ligands 1–5 with [(CH3CN)4CrCl2]+[B(C6F5)4]–, showed high activity exceeding 6000 kg/g-Cr/h, when combined with the inexpensive iBu3Al, thus avoiding the use of expensive modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO). The bulky –SiR3 substituents played a key role in the success of catalysis by blocking the formation of inactive species (Cr complexes coordinated by two iPrN(PAr2)2 ligands, that is, [(iPrN(PAr2)2)2−CrCl2]+[B(C6F5)4]–). Among the complexes prepared, [3−CrCl2]+[B(C6F5)4]– exhibited the highest activity (11,100 kg/g-Cr/h, 100 kg/g-catalyst) with high 1-octene selectivity (75 wt%) and, moreover, mitigated the generation of undesired > C10 fractions (10.7 wt%). A 10-g-scale synthesis of 3 was developed, as well as a facile and low-cost synthetic method for [(CH3CN)4CrCl2]+[B(C6F5)4]–.

Influence of Acrylic Acid on Kinetics of UV-Induced Cotelomerization Process and Properties of Obtained Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

A new environmentally friendly method of photoreactive pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) preparation was demonstrated. PSAs based on n-butyl acrylate (BA), acrylic acid (AA) and 4-acryloyloxy benxophenone (ABP) were prepared via the UV-induced cotelomerization process in the presence of a radical photoinitiator (acylphosphine oxide) and telogen (tetrabromomethane). Hydroxyterminated polybutadiene was used as a crosslinking agent. Influence of AA concentration (0-10 wt %) on kinetics of the cotelomerization process was investigated using a photodifferential scanning calorimetry method, selected physicochemical features of obtained photoreactive BA/AA/ABP cotelomers (molecular masses, polydispersity, monomers conversion and dynamic viscosity) and self-adhesive properties of obtained PSAs (adhesion, tack and cohesion) were studied, as well. It turned out that AA content is the important factor that influences monomers conversion (thereby the volatile parts content in prepolymer) and PSAs' properties. As the acrylic acid content increases, the reaction rate increases, but the total monomers conversion and the solid content of the prepolymer decreases. Additionally, the adhesion and cohesion of PSAs were grown up, and their tackiness decreased. However, the AA content has no effect on molecular weights (Mw and Mn) and polydispersity (c.a. 1.5) of photoreactive cotelomers. The optimal AA content necessary to obtain a prepolymer with low volatile parts content and good PSA properties was determined.