Revisiting Stereoselective Propene Polymerization Mechanisms: Insights through the Activation Strain Model

The stereoelectronic factors responsible for stereoselectivity in propene polymerization with several metallocene and post-metallocene transition metal catalysts have been revisited using a combined approach of DFT calculations, the Activation Strain Model, Natural Energy Decomposition Analysis and a molecular descriptor (%VBur). There are in most cases two different paths leading to the formation of stereoerrors (SE), and the classical model does not suffice to fully understand stereoregulation. Improving stereoselectivity requires raising the energies of both SE insertion transition states. Our analyses show that the degrees of deformation of the active site (catalyst+chain) and the prochiral monomer differ for these two paths, and between different catalyst classes. Based on such analyses we discuss: a) the subtle differences in SE formation between stereoselective catalysts with different ligand frameworks; b) the reason for exceptional stereoselectivity reported for a special ansa-metallocene catalyst; c) the (double) stereocontrol origin for isoselective catalysts; d) the electronic contribution for isoselective catalysts generating SE by a modification of the ligand wrapping mode during the polymerization. Although this study will not immediately suggest new catalyst structures, we believe that understanding stereoregulation in great detail will increase our chances of success.

Synthesis and X-ray structure analysis of cytotoxic heptacoordinated Salan hafnium(IV) complexes stabilized with 2,6-dipicolinic acid

Four novel Salan Hf^(IV) complexes stabilized by 2,6-dipicolinic acid (Dipic) were synthesized and characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. These Hf^(IV)bis-chelates could be obtained in good to excellent yields (88%-91%) and demonstrated rather good stability in aqueous media and on silica gel. [L₂Hf^(IV)Dipic^4-H,Cl] containing steric bulk L₂ were stable in about 10% H₂O (H₂O/THF (v/v)), however, [L₁Hf^(IV)Dipic^4-H,Cl] with non-steric L₁ could slowly dissociate and release nontoxic L₁. [L_1-2Hf^(IV)Dipic^4-Cl] showed excellent anti-tumoral activity in the range of cisplatin (Hela S3: IC₅₀ = 3.5 ± 0.4 μM, Hep G2: IC₅₀ = 11.2 ± 2.1 μM). In addition, the cellular uptake and apoptosis investigation of [L₁Hf^(IV)Dipic^4-Cl] suggested a fast cellular uptake process against Hela S3 cells with an almost exclusive induced apoptosis cell death path.

Unconventional Stereoerror Formation Mechanisms in Nonmetallocene Propene Polymerization Systems Revealed by DFT Calculations

An unconventional mechanism for the stereoerror formation in propene polymerization catalyzed by C₁-symmetric salalen-M systems (M = Zr, Hf) is suggested by DFT calculations. While propagation happens with the ligand in its fac-mer conformation, a change of ligand wrapping mode from fac-mer to fac-fac is the main source of the lower stereoselectivities obtained with Zr and Hf. This is different for the Ti analogues, where the ligand fac-mer wrapping mode does not play a role. Activation strain analysis indicates that the preference for a chain stationary mechanism of the Zr/Hf species is due to the energy required to distort the reactants (ΔE_Strain) rather than to their mutual interaction (ΔE_Int)_.

Synthesis of N-Methyl-o-phenylenediamine-Bridged Bis(phenolato) Lanthanide Alkoxides and Their Catalytic Performance for the (Co)Polymerization of rac-Butyrolactone and l-Lactide

A series of lanthanide alkoxo complexes supported by ONNO salalen ligands were synthesized and characterized. A one-pot reaction of LH₂ (L = (2-O-C₆H₂-^tBu₂-3,5)CH═N-C₆H₄-N(CH₃)CH₂(2-O-C₆H₂-^tBu₂-3,5)) with LnCp₃(THF) in a 1:1 molar ratio followed by the addition of 1 equiv of ROH (R = Bn, ⁱPr, and CF₃CH₂), afforded the dimeric lanthanide alkoxo complexes [LLn(μ-OCH₂Ph)]₂ [Ln = Lu (1), Yb (2), Sm (3), Nd (4)], [L²Yb(μ-OⁱPr)]₂ (5), and [L²Yb(μ-OCH₂CF₃)]₂ (6) in good isolated yields. All these lanthanide complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy. In addition, complex 1 has been characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of complexes 1, 2, 5, and 6 showed that these lanthanide alkoxo complexes are dimeric in the solid state. Complexes 1-6 showed good activity toward the homopolymerization of rac-butyrolactone (rac-BBL) to give atactic PHB, and ionic radii of central metals have profound influence on the polymerization. The polymerization behavior of l-lactide (l-LA) initiated by complex 2 was also explored. The kinetic study revealed that the polymerizations of rac-BBL and l-LA initiated by salalen lanthanide akoxide are first order for both the monomer and the initiator concentrations. Furthermore, it was found that complexes 1 and 2 showed good activity in the copolymerization of l-LA and rac-BBL, affording gradient copolymers.

Selective Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonate by Salalen-Aluminum Complexes and Mechanistic Studies

Salalen-aluminum complexes were synthesized and used as catalysts in the reactions of CO₂ with different epoxides. The reaction of cyclohexene oxide and CO₂ was thoroughly investigated. In particular, the effect of the reaction conditions (nature and equivalents of the co-catalyst, CO₂ pressure, and temperature) and of the ligands (substituents on the ancillary ligand, nature of the labile ligand, and nature of the nitrogen-donor atoms) on the results of this reaction was studied. The cycloaddition reaction of CO₂ with terminal epoxides bearing different functional groups was realized. Moreover, NMR mechanistic studies provided information on the catalytic cycle. Interestingly, the characterization of an intermediate species in the mechanism of the reaction of cyclohexene oxide with CO₂ , catalyzed by one of the salalen-aluminum complexes, was accomplished.

Theoretical insights into the reaction of Cp*(Cl)Hf(diene) with isonitriles

The reaction of Cp*(Cl)Hf(2,3-dimethylbutadiene) with isonitriles is theoretically investigated, and detailed elementary reactions and the substitution effects are examined.

Novel zirconium complexes with constrained cyclic β-enaminoketonato ligands: improved catalytic capability toward ethylene polymerization

Novel Zr(iv) and Hf(iv) complexes bearing two constrained bulky β-enaminoketonato ligands {[ArN[double bond, length as m-dash]CH-C8H3(CH2)n(R)O]2MBn2, M = Zr or Hf; n = 1, 2 or 3; R = H or C6H5; Ar = C6H5 or C6F5} were synthesized and clearly characterized. X-ray crystal structure analysis reveals that these complexes adopt a distorted octahedral geometry. Compared with non-constrained analogues, the Zr(iv) complexes with a cyclic skeleton exhibited high catalytic activities (up to 16.4 kgPE mmolZr(-1) h(-1)) toward ethylene polymerization at ambient pressure and elevated temperatures. Moreover, the catalytic properties of these complexes could be governed exquisitely by appropriate variation of the N-aryl substituents and the size of the benzocyclane. The Zr(iv) complexes bearing a non-fluorinated N-aryl group yielded oligomers, while the fluorinated analogues bearing a five-membered or six-membered cyclane group produced high molecular weight polyethylenes (33.4-306 kg mol(-1)) under similar conditions on account of the suppression effects on β-H elimination. The Zr(iv) complexes are more active toward ethylene polymerization than the Hf(iv) analogues, and the resulting polymers exhibited higher molecular weight and narrower molecular weight distribution.

Titanium(IV) catalysts with ancillary imino-spiroketonato ligands: synthesis, structure and olefin polymerization

New titanium(IV) complexes having two bidentate β-iminoethyl-spiro[4,5]decan-6-onato ligands with various N-aryl substituents have been synthesized. X-ray crystal structure analysis reveals that these titanium complexes all exhibit a C2-symmetric conformation with a distorted octahedral geometry, although the specific orientation of the ligands around the titanium center varies with the identity of the N-aryl moiety. Upon activation with methylaluminoxane (MAO), these complexes catalyze the polymerization of ethylene and propylene. In the case of ethylene, most complexes exhibit the characteristics of a living polymerization between 0 °C and 25 °C, producing polyethylenes with narrow molecular weight distributions and number average molecular weights up to 100,000 g/mol. Depending on the N-aryl substituents, polymerizations of propylene result in products with tacticity ranging from slightly syndiotactic to slightly isotactic.

Ring-opening homo- and co-polymerization of lactides and ε-caprolactone by salalen aluminum complexes

Aluminum complexes of non-chiral-salalen ligands were investigated in the catalysis of ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactide and ε-caprolactone and in their copolymerization. The aluminum-salalen complexes were found to polymerize all varieties of lactide, namely: l-, d-, rac- and meso-lactide, and showed moderate productivities. rac-LA gave rise to isotactic polylactides (with Pm up to 72%), while meso-LA gave rise to heterotactic polylactides (with a Pm of 79%). An experiment was designed for distinguishing between chain-end control and enantiomorphic-site control combined with polymeryl exchange for the isotactic stereoblock microstructure observed for the PLA produced from rac-LA; it gave strong evidence for polymeryl exchange between propagating species. Finally, this class of catalysts promoted the copolymerization of ε-caprolactone and lactides. In particular, compound allowed controlled random copolymerization of ε-caprolactone and l-lactide.

The Influence of Ziegler-Natta and Metallocene Catalysts on Polyolefin Structure, Properties, and Processing Ability

50 years ago, Karl Ziegler and Giulio Natta were awarded the Nobel Prize for their discovery of the catalytic polymerization of ethylene and propylene using titanium compounds and aluminum-alkyls as co-catalysts. Polyolefins have grown to become one of the biggest of all produced polymers. New metallocene/methylaluminoxane (MAO) catalysts open the possibility to synthesize polymers with highly defined microstructure, tacticity, and steroregularity, as well as long-chain branched, or blocky copolymers with excellent properties. This improvement in polymerization is possible due to the single active sites available on the metallocene catalysts in contrast to their traditional counterparts. Moreover, these catalysts, half titanocenes/MAO, zirconocenes, and other single site catalysts can control various important parameters, such as co-monomer distribution, molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, molecular architecture, stereo-specificity, degree of linearity, and branching of the polymer. However, in most cases research in this area has reduced academia as olefin polymerization has seen significant advancements in the industries. Therefore, this paper aims to further motivate interest in polyolefin research in academia by highlighting promising and open areas for the future.

Preparation of ansa-metallocenes for production of poly(α-olefin) lubricants

An ansa-zirconocene bearing methyl substituents at all positions adjacent to the bridgehead [(-C(Ph)HC(Ph)H-)(η(5)-2,5-Me2C5H2)2ZrCl2] (4) was prepared in high yields (78%) through the reductive dimerization of 1,4-dimethyl-6-phenylfulvene utilizing ZrCl2·DME generated in situ. The structure of 4 was subsequently confirmed using X-ray crystallography. 4 exhibited excellent catalytic performance with regard to 1-decene oligomerization, which was carried out with the intention of preparing lubricant base stocks. High activities (21 × 10(6) g mol(-1) Zr h(-1) activity; TON = 150 000; TOF = 42 s(-1)) were observed at temperatures as high as 120 °C and the oligomer distribution was appropriate for lubricant application. The simulated distillation (SIMDIS) data confirmed that a wide range of oligomers were formed, ranging from the dimer (2-mer) to 20-mer. A minimal amount of the dimer and oligomers larger than the 10-mer was formed (13 and 25 wt%, respectively). Alternatively, a typical unbridged complex such as (η(5)-nBuC5H4)2ZrCl2 primarily produced dimers (54 wt%), whereas the ansa-zirconocene (EBI)ZrCl2 primarily produced oligomers larger than 10-mer (62 wt%). The methyl substituents at the positions adjacent to the bridgehead in 4 played a significant role in the catalytic performance.

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.

Living syndiospecific polymerization of propylene with sterically encumbered titanium complexes activated by MMAO

On activation with MMAO, the newly designed titanium complex with bulky substituent promotes living polymerization of propylene, affording highly syndiotactic (rrrr 98.0%) polymers with high molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n ≤ 1.26).

Novel tandem synthesis of bis(μ-NN′-tetrazolate) bridged dinuclear nickel(ii) Schiff base complex via [3 + 2] cyclo-addition at ambient condition

A bis(μ-NN′-tetrazolate) bridged dinuclear nickel(ii) Schiff base complex was synthesized via [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of 2-cyanopyrazine and sodium azide.