Vanadium(V) tetra-phenolate complexes: synthesis, structural studies and ethylene homo-(co-)polymerization capability

Reaction of α,α,α′,α′-tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)-p-xylene (p-L¹H₄) with two equivalents of [VO(OR)₃] (R = nPr, tBu) in refluxing toluene afforded, after work-up, the complexes {[VO(OnPr)(THF)]₂ (μ-p-L¹)}·2(THF) (1·2(THF)) or {[VO(OtBu)]₂ (μ-p-L¹)}·2MeCN (2·2MeCN), respectively in moderate to good yield. A similar reaction using the meta pro-ligand, namely α,α,α′,α′-tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)-m-xylene (m-L²H₄) afforded the complex {[VO(OnPr)(THF)]₂ (μ-p-L²)} (3). Use of [V(Np-R¹C₆H₄)(tBuO)₃] (R¹ = Me, CF₃) with p-L¹H₄ led to the isolation of the oxo–imido complexes {[VO(tBuO)][V(Np-R¹C₆H₄) (tBuO)](μ-p-L¹)} (R¹ = Me, 4·CH2Cl₂; CF₃, 5·CH2Cl₂), whereas use of [V(Np-R¹C₆H₄)CL³] (R¹ = Me, CF₃) in combination with Et₃N/p-L¹H₄ or p-L¹Na₄ afforded the diimido complexes {[V(Np-MeC₆H₄)(THF)Cl]₂ (μ-p-L¹)}·4toluene (6·4toluene) or {[V(Np-CF₃C₆H₄)(THF)Cl]₂ (μ-p-L¹)} (7). For comparative studies, the complex [(VO)(μ-OnPr)L³]₂ (8) has also been prepared via the interaction of [VO(nPrO)₃] and 2-(α-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)benzyl)-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol (L³H2). The crystal structures of 1·2THF, 2·2MeCN, 3, 4·CH2Cl₂, 5·CH2Cl₂, 6·4toluene·THF, 7 and 8 have been determined. Complexes 1–3 and 5–8 have been screened as pre-catalysts for the polymerization of ethylene in the presence of a variety of co-catalysts (with and without a re-activator), including DMAC (dimethylaluminium chloride), DEAC (diethylaluminium chloride), EADC (ethylaluminium dichloride) and EASC (ethylaluminium sesquichloride) at various temperatures and for the co-polymerization of ethylene with propylene; results are compared versus the benchmark catalyst [VO(OEt)Cl₂]. In some cases, activities as high as 243 400 g mmol⁻¹ V⁻¹ h⁻¹ (30.43 kgPE mmol V⁻¹ h⁻¹ bar⁻¹) were achievable, whilst it also proved possible to obtain higher molecular weight polymers (in comparable yields to the use of [VO(OEt)Cl₂]). In all cases with dimethylaluminium chloride (DMAC)/ethyltrichloroacetate (ETA) activation, the activities achieved surpassed those of the benchmark catalyst. In the case of the co-polymerization of ethylene with propylene, complexes 1–3 and 5–8 showed comparable or higher molecular weight than [VO(OEt)Cl₂] with comparable catalytic activities or higher in the case of the imido complexes 6 and 7

Vanadium(V) oxo and imido calix[8]arene complexes: synthesis, structural studies, and ethylene homo/copolymerisation capability

Interaction of p-tert-butylcalix[8]areneH₈ (L⁸H₈) with in-situ generated [NaVO(Ot-Bu)₄] (from VOCl₃ and four equivalents of NaOtBu) afforded the dark brown complex [Na(NCMe)₅][(VO)₂L⁸H]·4MeCN (1·4MeCN), in which the calix[8]arene adopts a saddle-shaped conformation. Increasing (to four equivalents per L⁸) the amount of [NaVO(Ot-Bu)₄] present in the reaction, led to the formation of the yellow octa-vanadyl complex {[(Na(VO)₄L⁸)(Na(NCMe))₃] [Na(NCMe)₆}₂·10MeCN (2·10MeCN), in which the calix[8]arene adopts a pleated loop conformation. In the presence of adventitious oxygen, reaction of four equivalents of [VO(Ot-Bu)₃] (generated from VOCl₃ and 3KOtBu) with L⁸H₈ afforded the alkali-metal free green complex [(VO)₄L⁸(μ³-O)₂] (3); the solvates 3·3MeCN and 3·3CH₂Cl₂ have been isolated. In both solvates, the L⁸ ligand adopts a shallow saddle-shaped conformation, supporting a core comprising of a (VO)₄O₄ ladder. In the case of lithium, in order to obtain crystalline material, it was found necessary to reverse the order of addition such that lithium tert-butoxide was added to L⁸H₈, and then subsequently treated (at –78 ⁰C) with two equivalents of VOCl₃; crystallization from tetrahydrofuran (THF) afforded {(VO₂)₂Li₆[L⁸](thf)₂(OtBu)₂(Et₂O)₂}·Et₂O (4·Et₂O). In the structure of 4·Et₂O, vanadium, lithium and oxygen form a central lattern-type cage, which is capped top and bottom by an Li₂O₂2 diamond; the calix[8]arene is in a ‘down, down, out, out, down, down’ conformation. When the ‘same reaction’ was extracted into acetonitrile (MeCN), the salt complex [Li(NCMe)₄][(VO)₂L⁸H]·8MeCN (5.8MeCN) was formed. In 5·8MeCN, the [Li(NCMe)₄] cations reside between the anions in the clefts of L⁸H, the latter adopting a saddle-shaped conformation. Use of the imido precursors [V(Nt-Bu)(Ot-Bu)₃] and [V(Np-tolyl)(Ot-Bu)₃] and L⁸H₈, afforded, via an imido exchange, the salt [t-BuNH₃]{[V(p-tolylN)]₂L⁸H}·3½MeCN (6·3½MeCN). The molecular structures of 1 to 6 are reported; data collections for complexes 2·10MeCN, 3·3MeCN and 3·3CH₂Cl₂ required the use of synchrotron radiation. Complexes 1, 3 and 4 have been screened as pre-catalysts for the polymerization of ethylene in the presence of a variety of co-catalysts (with and without a re-activator) at various temperatures and for the co-polymerization of ethylene with propylene; results are compared versus the benchmark catalyst VO(OEt)Cl₂. In some cases, activities as high as 136,000 g/mmol.v.h were achievable, whilst it also proved possible to obtain higher molecular weight polymers (in comparible yields) versus the use of VO(OEt)Cl₂. In the case of the co-polymerization, the incorporation of propylene was 7.1 – 10.9 mol% (cf 10 mol% for VO(OEt)Cl₂), though catalytic activities were lower versus VO(OEt)Cl₂

Mechanism of Isotactic Styrene Polymerization with a C6F5‑Substituted Bis(phenoxyimine) Titanium System

We report a combined, experimental and theoretical, study of styrene polymerization to clarify the regio- and stereocontrol mechanism operating with a C6F5-substituted bis(phenoxyimine) titanium dichloride complex. Styrene homopolymerization, styrene−propene and styrene− ethene−propene copolymerizations have been carried out to this aim. A combination of 13C NMR analysis of the chain-end groups and of the microstructure of the homopolymers and copolymers reveals that styrene polymerization is highly regioselective and occurs prevalently through 2,1- monomer insertion. DFT calculations evidenced that steric interaction between the growing chain and the monomer in the transition state insertion stage is at the origin of this selectivity. The formation of isotactic polystyrene with a chain-end like microstructure is rationalized on the base of a mechanism similar to that proposed for the syndiospecific propene polymerization catalyzed by bis(phenoxyimine) titanium dichloride complexes. Finally, a general stereocontrol mechanism operative in olefin polymerization with this class of complexes is proposed

Vanadium(v) tetra-phenolate complexes: synthesis, structural studies and ethylene homo-(co-) polymerization capability

Reaction of the ligand α,α,α′,α′-tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)-p-xylene (p-L1H4) with two equivalents of [VO(OR)3] (R = nPr, tBu) in refluxing toluene afforded, after work-up, the complexes {[VO(OnPr)(THF)]2(-p-L1)}·2(THF) (1·2(THF)) or {[VO(OtBu)]2(-p-L1)}·2MeCN (2·2MeCN), respectively in moderate to good yield. A similar reaction using the meta ligand, namely α,α,α′,α′-tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)-m-xylene (m-L2H4) afforded the complex {[VO(OnPr)(THF)]2(-p-L2)} (3). Use of [V(Np-R1C6H4)(tBuO)3] (R1 = Me, CF3) with p-L1H4 led to the isolation of the oxo-imido complexes {[VO(tBuO)][V(Np-R1C6H4)(tBuO)](-p-L1)} (R1 = Me, 4·CH2Cl2; CF3, 5·CH2Cl2), whereas use of [V(Np-R1C6H4)Cl3] (R1 = Me, CF3) in combination with Et3N/p-L1H4 or p-L1Na4 afforded the diimido complexes {[V(Np-MeC6H4)(THF)Cl]2(-p-L1)}·4toluene (6·4toluene) or {[V(Np-CF3C6H4)(THF)Cl]2(-p-L1)} (7). For comparative studies, the complex [(VO)(μ-OnPr)L3]2 (8) has also been prepared via the interaction of [VO(nPrO)3] and 2-(α-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)benzyl)-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol (L3H2). The crystal structures of 1·2THF, 2·2MeCN, 3, 4·CH2Cl2, 5·CH2Cl2, 6·4toluene·thf, 7 and 8 have been determined. Complexes 1 – 3 and 5 - 8 have been screened as pre-catalysts for the polymerization of ethylene in the presence of a variety of co-catalysts (with and without a re-activator), including DMAC (dimethylaluminium chloride), DEAC (diethylaluminium chloride), EADC (ethylaluminium dichloride) and EASC (ethylaluminium sesquichloride) at various temperatures and for the co-polymerization of ethylene with propylene; results are compared versus the benchmark catalyst [VO(OEt)Cl2]. In some cases, activities as high as 243,400 g/mmolV.h (30.43 Kg PE/mmolV.h.bar) were achievable, whilst it also proved possible to obtain higher molecular weight polymers (in comparable yields to the use of [VO(OEt)Cl2]). In all cases with dimethylaluminium chloride (DMAC)/ethyltrichloroacetate (ETA) activation, the activities achieved surpassed those of the benchmark catalyst. In the case of the co-polymerization of ethylene with propylene, Complexes 1 – 3 and 5 - 8 showed comparable or higher molecular weight than [VO(OEt)Cl2] with comparable catalytic activities or higher in the case of the imido complexes 6 and 7

Synthesis of Ethylene or Propylene/1,3-Butadiene Copolymers Possessing Pendant Vinyl Groups with Virtually No Internal Olefins

In general, ethylene/1,3-butadiene copolymerizations provides copolymers possessing both pendant vinyls and vinylenes as olefinic moieties. We, at MCI, studied the substituent effects of C2-symmetric zirconocene complexes, rac-[Me2Si(Indenyl’)2]ZrCl2 (Indenyl’ = generic substituted indenyl), after activation on the ratio of the pendant vinyls and vinylenes of the resultant copolymers. Complexes examined in this study were rac-dimethylsilylbis (1-indenyl)zirconium dichloride (1), rac-dimethylsilyl-bis[1-(2-methyl-4,5-benzoindenyl)] zirconium dichloride (2), rac-dimethylsilyl-bis[l-(2-methyl -4-phenylindenyl)]zirconium dichloride (3), rac-dimethy1si1y1- bis(2-ethyl-4-phenylindenyl) zirconium dichloride (4), rac-dimethylsilyl-bis[l-(2-n-propyl -4-(1-naphthyl)indenyl)]zirconium dichloride (5), rac-dimethylsilyl-[1-(2-ethyl-4-(5-(2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta [a]naphthalenyl)indenyl))][1-(2-n-propyl-4-(5-(2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[a] naphthalenyl)indenyl))]zirconium dichloride (6), rac-dimethylsilyl-bis[1-(2-ethyl-4-(9-phenanthryl)indenyl)]zirconium dichloride (7), and rac-dimethylsilyl-bis[l-(2-n-propyl-4-(9-phenanthryl)indenyl)]zirconium dichloride (8). We found that the ratio of the pendant vinyls and vinylenes is strongly affected by the bulkiness of the substituent on the complexes examined. The vinyl content increased linearly in the following order, 8 > 7 > 6 > 5 > 4 > 3 > 2 > 1. Notably, complex 8/DMAO formed ethylene/1,3-butadiene copolymers possessing predominant vinyl groups, which can be crucial precursors for functionalized polyolefins. Likewise, complex 8/DMAO afforded propylene/1,3-butadiene copolymers with predominant vinyl groups

Vanadium(V) oxo and Imido calix[8]arene complexes: synthesis, structural studies, and ethylene homo/copolymerisation capability

Interaction of p-tert-butylcalix[8]areneH8 (L8H8) with [NaVO(OtBu)4] (formed in situ from VOCl3) afforded the complex [Na(NCMe)5][(VO)2L8H]·4 MeCN (1·4 MeCN). Increasing [NaVO(OtBu)4] to 4 equiv led to [Na(NCMe)6]2[(Na(VO)4L8)(Na(NCMe))3]2·10 MeCN (2·10 MeCN). With adventitious oxygen, reaction of 4 equiv of [VO(OtBu)3] with L8H8 afforded the alkali-metal-free complex [(VO)4L8(μ3-O)2] (3); solvates 3×3 MeCN and 3×3 CH2Cl2 were isolated. For the lithium analogue, the order of addition had to be reversed such that lithium tert-butoxide was added to L8H8 and then treated with 2 equiv of VOCl3; crystallisation afforded [(VO2)2Li6[L8](thf)2(OtBu)2(Et2O)2]·Et2O (4·Et2O). Upon extraction into acetonitrile, [Li(NCMe)4][(VO)2L8H]·8 MeCN (5·8 MeCN) was formed. Use of the imido precursors [V(NtBu)(OtBu)3] and [V(Np-tolyl)(OtBu)3] and L8H8, afforded [tBuNH3][{V(p-tolylN)}2L8H]·3 1/2 MeCN (6·3 1/2 MeCN). The molecular structures of 1 to 6 are reported. Complexes 1, 3, and 4 were screened as precatalysts for the polymerisation of ethylene in the presence of cocatalysts at various temperatures and for the copolymerisation of ethylene with propylene. Activities as high as 136 000 g (mmol(V) h)-1 were sometimes achieved; higher molecular weight polymers could be obtained versus the benchmark [VO(OEt)Cl2]. For copolymerisation, incorporation of propylene was 7.1-10.9 mol% (compare 10 mol% for [VO(OEt)Cl2]), although catalytic activities were lower than [VO(OEt)Cl2]

Vanadyl calix[6]arene complexes: synthesis, structural studies and ethylene homo-(co-)polymerization capability

Treatment of p-tert-butylcalix[6]areneH₆ (L⁶H₆) with in situ [LiVO(Ot-Bu)₄] afforded, after work-up, the dark green complex [Li(MeCN)₄][V₂(O)₂Li(MeCN)(L⁶H₂)₂]·8MeCN (1·8MeCN). On one occasion, the reaction led to the formation of a mixture of products, the bulk of which differing from 1 only in the amount of solvate, viz.2·9.67MeCN. The second minor, yellow product has the formula {[(VO₂)₂(L⁶H₂)(Li(MeCN)₂)₂]·2MeCN}n (3·2MeCN), and comprises a 1D polymeric structure with links through the L⁶H₂ ligand and Li₂O₂ units. When the reverse order of addition was employed such that lithium tert-butoxide (7.5 equivalents) was added to L⁶H₆, and subsequently treated with VOCl₃ (2 equiv.), the complex {[VO(THF)][VO(μ-O)]₂Li(THF)(Et₂O)][L⁶]}·2Et₂O·0.5THF (4·2Et₂O·0.5THF), which contains a trinuclear motif possessing a central, octahedral vanadyl centre linked via oxo bridges to two tetrahedral (C₃v) vanadyl centres, was isolated. The calix[6]arene in 4 is severely twisted and adopts a ‘down, down, down, down, out, out’ conformation. Use of excess lithium tert-butoxide led to a complex very similar to 4, differing only in the solvent of crystallization, namely 5·Et₂O·2THF. The ability of 1 and 5 to act as pre-catalysts for ethylene polymerization in the presence of a variety of co-catalysts and under various conditions has been investigated. Co-polymerization of ethylene with propylene and with 1-hexene have also been conducted; results are compared versus VO(OEt)Cl₂

Mechanism of Isotactic Styrene Polymerization with a C₆F₅‑Substituted Bis(phenoxyimine) Titanium System

We report a combined, experimental and theoretical, study of styrene polymerization to clarify the regio- and stereocontrol mechanism operating with a C₆F₅-substituted bis­(phenoxyimine) titanium dichloride complex. Styrene homopolymerization, styrene–propene and styrene–ethene–propene copolymerizations have been carried out to this aim. A combination of ¹³C NMR analysis of the chain-end groups and of the microstructure of the homopolymers and copolymers reveals that styrene polymerization is highly regioselective and occurs prevalently through 2,1-monomer insertion. DFT calculations evidenced that steric interaction between the growing chain and the monomer in the transition state insertion stage is at the origin of this selectivity. The formation of isotactic polystyrene with a chain-end like microstructure is rationalized on the base of a mechanism similar to that proposed for the syndiospecific propene polymerization catalyzed by bis­(phenoxyimine) titanium dichloride complexes. Finally, a general stereocontrol mechanism operative in olefin polymerization with this class of complexes is proposed

Tri- and tetra-dentate imine vanadyl complexes: synthesis, structure and ethylene polymerization/ring opening polymerization capability

Reaction of the ligand 2,4-tert-butyl-6-[(2-methylquinolin-8-ylimino)methyl]phenol (L¹H) with [VOCl₃] in the presence of triethylamine afforded the complex [VOCl₂L¹] (1), whereas use of [VO(OnPr)₃] led to the isolation of [VO₂L¹] (2) or [VO₂L¹]·2/3MeCN (2·2/3MeCN). Reaction of 2-((2-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)quinolin-8-ylimino)methyl)-4,6-R¹,R²-phenols (R¹ = R² = ᵗBu; L²H), (R¹ = R² = Me; L³H) or (R¹ = Me, R² = Ad; L⁴H) with [VO(OnPr)₃] afforded complexes of the type [L²⁻⁴VO] (where L² = 3, L³ = 4, L⁴ = 5). The molecular structures of 1 to 3 are reported; the metal centre adopts a distorted octahedral, trigonal bipyramidal or square-based pyramidal geometry respectively. In Schlenk line tests, all complexes have been screened as pre-catalysts for the polymerization of ethylene using diethylaluminium chloride (DEAC) as co-catalyst in the presence of ethyltrichloroacetate (ETA), and for the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone in the presence of benzyl alcohol. All pre-catalyst/DEAC/ETA systems are highly active ethylene polymerization catalysts affording linear polyethylene with activities in the range 3000–10700 g (mol h bar)⁻¹; the use of methylaluminoxane (MAO) or modified MAO as co-catalyst led to poor or no activity. In a parallel pressure reactor, 3–5 have been screened as pre-catalysts for ethylene polymerization in the presence of either DEAC or DMAC (dimethylaluminium chloride) and ETA at various temperatures and for the co-polymerization of ethylene with propylene. The use of DMAC proved more promising with 3 achieving an activity of 63000 g (mol h bar)⁻¹ at 50 °C and affording UHMWPE (Mw ~ 2000000). In the case of the co-polymerization, the incorporation of propylene was 6.9–8.8 mol%, with 3 exhibiting the highest incorporation when using either DEAC or DMAC. In the case of the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone, systems employing complexes 1–5 were virtually inactive at temperatures <110 °C; on increasing the CL:V ratio at 110 °C, conversions of the order of 80% were achievable