Ring Opening Polymerization of Lactides and Lactones by Multimetallic Titanium Complexes Derived from the Acids Ph2C(X)CO2H (X = OH, NH2)

The reactions of the titanium alkoxide [Ti(OR)4] (R = Me, nPr, iPr, tBu) with the acids 2,2’-Ph2C(X)(CO2H), where X = OH and NH2, i.e., benzilic acid (2,2’-diphenylglycolic acid, L1H2), and 2,2’-diphenylglycine (L2H3), have been investigated. The variation of the reaction stoichiometry allows for the isolation of mono-, bi-, tri or tetra-metallic products, the structures of which have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The ability of the resulting complexes to act as catalysts for the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) and r-lactide (r-LA) has been investigated. In the case of ε-CL, all catalysts except that derived from [Ti(OnPr)4] and L2H3, i.e., 7, exhibited an induction period of between 60 and 285 min, with 7 exhibiting the best performance (>99% conversion within 6 min). The PCL products are moderate- to high-molecular weight polymers. For r-LA, systems 1, 3, 4 and 7 afforded conversions of ca. 90% or more, with 4 exhibiting the fastest kinetics. The molecular weights for the PLA are somewhat higher than those of the PCL, with both cyclic and linear PLA products (end groups of OR/OH) identified. Comparative studies versus the [Ti(OR)4] starting materials were conducted, and although high conversions were achieved, the control was poor.

Ring-Opening Polymerization of ε-Caprolactone by Using Aluminum Complexes Bearing Aryl Thioether Phenolates: Labile Thioether Chelation

In this study, aluminum complexes bearing ferrocene-based and arylthiomethylphenolate ligands were synthesized, and their catalytic activity for ε-caprolactone (CL) polymerization was investigated. The catalytic activity of the reduced form of Al complexes was higher than that of the oxidized form. The CL polymerization rate of the reduced form fcO₂AlMe (75 min, conversion = 100%) was higher than that of the oxidized form fc^oxO₂AlMe (4320 min, conversion = 45%), and the CL polymerization rate of fc(OAlMe₂)₂ (40 min, conversion = 100%) was higher than that of fc^ox(OAlMe₂)₂ (60 min, conversion = 97%). Electron deficiency substituents on phenolate decreased the catalytic activity of Al complexes bearing arylthiomethylphenolate ligands. Density functional theory calculations revealed that thioether coordination stabilized the transition state (TS1) and that the oxidized form fc^ox(OAlMe₂)₂ exhibited weaker thioether coordination and higher activation energy in TS1 compared with those of the reduced form fcO₂AlMe. In addition, our study determined that the thioether group is a suitable chelating group for Al catalysts in CL polymerization due to its labile nature.

Lead calix[n]arenes (n = 4, 6, 8): structures and ring opening homo-/co-polymerization capability for cyclic esters

Reaction of [LiPb(OiPr)₃]₂ (generated in situ) with either p-tert-butylcalix[4]areneH₄ (L⁴H₄) or p-tert-butylcalix[6]areneH₆ (L⁶H₆) resulted in the heterometallic lithium/lead complexes [Pb₄Li₂(L⁴)₄H₆(MeCN)₃]·4.5MeCN (1·4.5MeCN) and [Pb₈Li₁₀Cl₂(L⁶H₂)₃(L⁶)(OH)₂(O)₂(H₂O)₂(MeCN)₄]·14MeCN (2·14MeCN), respectively. Use of the dimethyleneoxa-bridged p-tert-butyltetrahomodioxacalix[6]areneH₆ (L^6'H₆) with five equivalents of [Pb(OiPr)₂] afforded [Pb₁₃(L^6')₃O₄(iPrOH)]·11MeCN (3·11MeCN). Use of the larger p-tert-butylcalix[8]areneH₈ (L⁸H₈) with [Pb(OtBu)₂] or {Pb[N(TMS)₂]} (TMS = SiMe₃) afforded the products [Pb₁₂(L⁸)₂O₄]·8.7C₇H₈ (4·8.7C₇H₈) or [Pb₆(SiMe₃)₂(L⁸)O₂Cl₂] (5), respectively. Reaction of {Pb[N(TMS)₂]} (generated in situ from (Me₃Si)₂NH, nBuLi and PbCl₂) with L⁶H₆ afforded, after work-up (MeCN), the mixed-metal complex [Pb₁₀Li₂(L⁶)₂(OH)Cl(O)₄]·9.5MeCN (6·9.5MeCN). Reaction of distilled {Pb[N(TMS)₂]} (six equivalents) with L⁸H₈ resulted in the complex [Pb₁₂(L⁸)₂O₄]·12MeCN (7·12MeCN). Complexes 1-7, Pb(OiPr)₂ and [Pb(N(TMS)₂)₂] have been screened for their potential to act as pre-catalysts in the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) and δ-valerolactone (δ-VL) and the copolymerization thereof. Generally, the lithiated complexes 1 and 2 exhibited better activities than the other pre-catalysts screened herein. For ε-CL and δ-VL, moderate activity at 130 °C over 24 h was observed for 1-7. In the case of the co-polymerization of ε-CL with δ-VL, 1-7, Pb(OiPr)₂ and [Pb(N(TMS)₂)₂] afforded reasonable conversions and high molecular weight polymers. The systems 1-7, Pb(OiPr)₂ and [Pb(N(TMS)₂)₂] also proved to be active in the ROP of the rac-lactide (r-LA); the activity trend was found to be 1 > 2 ≈ Pb(OiPr)₂ ≈ [Pb(N(TMS)₂)₂] > 4 > 5 ≈ 6 ≈ 7 > 3.

Collaboration between Trinuclear Aluminum Complexes Bearing Bipyrazoles in the Ring-Opening Polymerization of ε-Caprolactone

Trinuclear aluminum complexes bearing bipyrazoles were synthesized, and their catalytic activity for ε-caprolactone (CL) polymerization was investigated. D^Bu₂Al₃Me₅ exhibited higher catalytic activity than did the dinuclear aluminum complex L^Bu₂Al₂Me₄ (16 times as high for CL polymerization; [CL]:[D^Bu₂Al₃Me₅]:[BnOH] = 100:0.5:5, [D^Bu₂Al₃Me₅] = 10 mM, conversion 93% after 18 min at room temperature). Density functional theory calculations revealed a polymerization mechanism in which CL first approached the central Al atom and then moved to an external Al. The coordinated CL ring was opened because the repulsion of two tert-butyl groups on the ligands pushed an alkoxide initiator on an external Al to initiate CL. In these trinuclear Al catalysts, the central Al plays a role in monomer capture and then collaborates with the external Al to activate CL, accelerating polymerization.

Lithium calix[4]arenes: structural studies and use in the ring opening polymerization of cyclic esters

We have structurally characterized a number of lithiated calix[4]arenes, where the bridge in the calix[4]arene is thia (–S–, L^SH₄), sulfinyl (–SO–, L^SOH₄), sulfonyl (–SO₂–, L^SO2H₄), dimethyleneoxa (–CH₂OCH₂–, L^COCH₄) or methylene (–CH₂–, LH₄). In the case of L^4SH₄, interaction with LiOtBu led to the isolation of the complex [Li₈(L^4S)₂(THF)₄]·5THF (1·5THF), whilst similar interaction of L^4SOH₄ led to the isolation of [Li₆(L^4SOH)₂(THF)₂]·5(THF) (2·5THF). Interestingly, the mixed sulfinyl/sulfonyl complexes [Li₈(calix[4]arene(SO)(SO₂)(SO_1.68)₂)₂(THF)₆]·8(THF) (3·8THF) and [Li₅Na(L^SO/3SO2H)₂(THF)₅]·7.5(THF) (4·7.5(THF) have also been characterized. Interaction of LiOtBu with L^SO2H₄ and L^COCH₄ afforded [Li₅L^4SO2(OH)(THF)₄]·2THF (5·2THF) and [Li₆(L^COC)₂(HOtBu)₂]·0.78THF·1.22hexane (6·0.78THF·1.22hexane), respectively. In the case of LH₄, reaction with LiOtBu in THF afforded a monoclinic polymorph [LH₂Li₂(thf)(OH₂)₂]·3THF (7·3THF) of a known triclinic form of the complex, whilst reaction of the de-butylated analogue of LH₄, namely de-BuLH₄, afforded a polymeric chain structure {[Li₅(de-BuL)(OH)(NCMe)₃]·2MeCN}_n (8·2MeCN). For comparative catalytic studies, the complex [Li₆(L^Pr)₂(H₂O)₂]·hexane (9 hexane), where L^Pr2H₂ = 1,3-di-n-propyloxycalix[4]areneH₂, was also prepared. The molecular crystal structures of 1–9 are reported, and their ability to act as catalysts for the ring opening (co-)/polymerization (ROP) of the cyclic esters ε-caprolactone, δ-valerolactone, and rac-lactide has been investigated. In most of the cases, complex 6 outperformed the other systems, allowing for higher conversions and/or greated polymer M_n.

Novel Li-calix[n]arene complexes (n = 3, 4) having (–S–), (–SO–), (–SO₂–), (–CH₂OCH₂–) or (–CH₂–) bridges have been synthesized and fully characterized. Their catalytic activity in the ring opening polymerization of lactones has been studied.

Vanadium complexes derived from oxacalix[6]arenes: structural studies and use in the ring opening homo-/co-polymerization of ε-caprolactone/δ-valerolactone and ethylene polymerization

Oxacalix[6]arene vanadium complexes have been employed for the ROP of cyclic esters and ethylene polymerization.

Use of pyrazoles as ligands greatly enhances the catalytic activity of titanium iso-propoxide for the ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide: a cooperation effect

Using TiOⁱPr₄ with a pyrazole ligand for one-pot LA polymerization improved catalytic activity compared with using TiOⁱPr₄ only. At 60 °C, TiOⁱPr₄ with ^furPz exhibited a higher catalytic activity (approximately 3-fold) than TiOⁱPr₄. At room temperature, TiOⁱPr₄ with ^BuPz exhibited a higher catalytic activity (approximately 17-fold) than TiOⁱPr₄. High molecular mass PLA (M _nGPC = 51 100, and Đ = 1.10) could be produced by using TiOⁱPr₄ with ^furPz in melt polymerization ([TiOⁱPr₄] : [^furPz] = 1000 : 1 : 1 at 100 °C, 240 min). The crystal structure of ^MePz₂Ti₂OⁱPr₇ revealed the cooperative activation between two Ti atoms during LA polymerization.

Gold(i)-silver(i)-calix[8]arene complexes, precursors of bimetallic alloyed Au-Ag nanoparticles

In this paper, we report the first synthesis and characterisations of bimetallic gold(i)-silver(i) calix[8]arene complexes. We show that the radiolytic reduction of these complexes leads to the formation of small bimetallic nanoparticles with an alloyed structure, as evidenced by XPS, HR-TEM and STEM/HAADF-EDX measurements.

Solution XANES and EXAFS analysis of active species of titanium, vanadium complex catalysts in ethylene polymerisation/dimerisation and syndiospecific styrene polymerisation

Mechanistic studies in homogeneous catalysis through the solution transition metal K Edge XANES (X-ray absorption near-edge structure) and EXAFS (Extended X-ray absorption fine structure) analysis for vanadium and titanium complex catalysts for ethylene polymerisation/dimerization, and syndiospecific styrene polymerisation, including interpretation of the XANES spectra, have been introduced. The core excitation spectra of the complexes based on the time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) can be used to interpret the Ti and V K-edge features and to extract information on the electronic structure from the XANES spectra. Theoretical calculations and experimental XAS analysis should have great potential for analysing the active species.

Turning on ROP activity in a bimetallic Co/Zn complex supported by a [2+2] Schiff-base macrocycle

Homo-dinuclear Co and Zn complexes derived from the macrocycle LH2, {[2-(OH)-5-(R)-C6H2-1,3-(CH)2][CH2CH2(2-C6H4N)2]}2 (R = Me, tBu), revealed near inactivity for the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of the cyclic esters δ-valerolactone (δ-VL) and ε-caprolactone (ε-CL). By contrast, the hetero-bimetallic complexes [LCo(NCMe)(μ-Br)ZnBr]·nMeCN (n = 3 or 3.25) were found to be efficient catalysts for the ROP of ε-CL and δ-VL.

Organometallic Zirconium Compounds in an Oxygen-Rich Coordination Environment: Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Tris(oxoimidazolyl)hydroboratozirconium Compounds

A series of tris(oxoimidazolyl)hydroborato ligands, which serve as L₂X [O₃] donors, have been employed to obtain organometallic zirconium compounds in an uncommon oxygen-rich coordination environment. For example, Cp[To^MeBenz]ZrCl₂ has been synthesized via the reaction of [To^MeBenz]Na with CpZrCl₃ and bears a structural resemblance to the bent metallocene dichloride derivative Cp₂ZrCl₂. In addition, the half-sandwich counterparts [To^MeBenz]ZrCl₃ and [To^But]ZrCl₃ have been obtained by metathesis of ZrCl₄ with [To^MeBenz]Na and [To^But]Na, respectively. The structurally related zirconium benzyl compounds [To^RBenz]Zr(CH₂Ph)₃ (R = Me, Bu^t, 1-Ad) have also been synthesized via the reactions of [To^RBenz]Tl with Zr(CH₂Ph)₄, and X-ray diffraction studies demonstrate that the benzyl ligands in these compounds are conformationally flexible and exhibit a large range of Zr-CH₂-Ph bond angles (94.7-131.7°). Protolytic cleavage of one of the benzyl ligands of [To^RBenz]Zr(CH₂Ph)₃ (R = Bu^t, 1-Ad) may be achieved by treatment with [PhNHMe₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] to generate {[To^RBenz]Zr(CH₂Ph)₂}[B(C₆F₅)₄], which are catalysts for the polymerization of ethylene. The molecular structure of the ether adduct, {[To^ButBenz]Zr(CH₂Ph)₂(OEt₂)}[B(C₆F₅)₄], has been determined by X-ray diffraction. In addition to the use of tris(oxoimidazolyl)hydroborato ligands, bis(oxoimidazolyl)hydroborato ligands have also been used to obtain zirconium benzyl compounds in oxygen-rich environments, namely, [Bo^MeBenz]₂Zr(CH₂Ph)₂ and [Bo^AdBenz]₂Zr(CH₂Ph)₂.

Dinuclear zirconium complex bearing a 1,5-bridged-calix[8]arene ligand as an effective catalyst for the synthesis of macrolactones

“Macrocyclization of Cycles with a Macrocycle.” The intramolecular cooperation of metal centres in a novel dinuclear complex has been postulated as responsible for the observed high rate of formation of macrocyclic polyesters.

Three-Dimensional Network Structures Based on Pyridyl-Calix[4]Arene Metal Complexes

A new series of supramolecular assemblies is obtained through the interaction of 3-pyridylmethyl-calixarenes and copper or zinc ions. The complexes formed are characterized both in solution and in the solid state. The results offer appealing insights into how the steric crowding of the lower rim and different coordination modes of the metal centers have a great impact on the overall architecture of the complexes with the formation of monomeric, dimeric, or oligomeric/polymeric species.

The remarkable influence of N,O-ligands in the assembly of a bis-calix[4]arene-supported [MnIV2MnIII10MnII8] cluster

Bis-calix[4]arene is a highly versatile ligand that is capable of forming a range of polymetallic clusters. Use of an N,O-chelating co-ligand affords a very high nuclearity mixed-valence Mn cluster (shown here) that displays coordination modes relative to each ligand type.