Thiophene-NPN Ligand Supported Rare-Earth Metal Bis(alkyl) Complexes. Synthesis and Catalysis toward Highly trans-1,4 Selective Polymerization of Butadiene

A series of new rare-earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes [L(1-3)Ln(CH2SiMe3)(2)(THF)(n)] (L-1 = MeC4H2SCH2NC6H4(Ph)(2)P=NC6H2Me3-2,4,6: Ln = Sc, n = 1 (1a); Ln = Lu, n = 1 (1b); L-2 = MeC4H2SCH2NC6H4(Ph)(2)P=NC6H3Et2-2,6: Ln = Sc, n = 1 (2a); Ln = Lu, n = 1 (2b); Ln = Y, n = 1 (2c); L-3 = MeC4H2SCH2NC6H4(Ph)(2)P=(NC6H3Pr2)-Pr-i-2,6: Ln = Sc, n = 0 (3a)) and (LSc)-Sc-4(CH2SiMe3)(2()THF) (4a) (L-4 = C6H5CH2NC6H4(Ph)(2)P=NC6H3Et2-2,6) have been prepared by reaction of rare-earth metal tris(alkyl)s with the corresponding HL1-4 ligands via alkane elimination.

Rare-Earth Metal Bis(alkyl)s Supported by a Quinolinyl Anilido-Imine Ligand: Synthesis and Catalysis on Living Polymerization of epsilon-Caprolactone

The tridentate ligand N-(2-((2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)methyl)phenyl)quinolin-8-amine (HL) was prepared. Treatment of HL with 1 equiv of Ln(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) afforded the corresponding rare-earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes LLn(CH2SiMe3)(2)(THF)(n) (Ln = Sc, n = 0 (1); Y, n = 1 (2); Lu, n = 0 (3)) in high yields. Variable-temperature H-1 NMR spectral analysis showed that these complexes were fluxional at room temperature. Complexes 1 and 3 were THF-free, where the metal center adopted a square-pyramidal geometry, while in 2 the metal center generated a distorted octahedral geometry owing to the coordination of a THF molecule.

Highly cis-1,4 selective polymerization of dienes with homogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalysts based on NCN-pincer rare earth metal dichioride precursors

The first aryldiimine NCN-pincer ligated rare earth metal dichlorides (2,6-(2,6-C6H3R2N=CH)(2)C6H3)LnCl(2)(THF)(2) (Ln = Y, R = Me (1), Et (2), Pr (3); R = Et, Ln = La (4), Nd (5), Gd (6), Sm (7), Eu (8), Tb (9), Dy (10), Ho (11), Yb (12), Lu (13)) were successfully synthesized via transmetalation between 2,6-(2,6-C2H3-R2N=CH)(2)-C6H3Li and LnCl(3)(THF)(1 similar to 3.5). These complexes are isostructural monomers with two coordinating THF molecules, where the pincer ligand coordinates to the central metal ion in a kappa C:kappa N: kappa N' tridentate mode, adopting a meridional geometry.

Isoprene polymerization with indolide-imine supported rare-earth metal alkyl and amidinate complexes

Reaction of 7-{(N-2,6-R)iminomethyl)}lindole (HL1, R = dimethylphenyl; HL2, R = diisopropylphenyl) and rare-earth metal tris(alkyl)s, Ln(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2), generated new rare-earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes LLn(CH2SiMe3)(2)(THF) [L = L-1: Ln = Lu. (1a), Sc (1b); L = L-2 : Ln = Lu (3a), Se (3b)] and mono(alkyl) complexes L-2 Lu-2(CH2SiMe3) (4a). Treatment of alkyl complexes 1a and 4a with N,N'-diisopropylcarbodiimide afforded the corresponding amidinates (LLu)-Lu-1{iPr(2)NC(CH2SiMe3) NiPr2}(2) (2a) and L-2 Lu-2{iPr(2)NC(CH2SiMe3)NiPr2} (5a), respectively.

Highly 3,4-selective living polymerization of isoprene with rare earth metal fluorenyl N-heterocyclic carbene precursors

Fluorenyl modified N-heterocyclic carbene ligated rare earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes, (Flu-NHC)Ln(CH2SiMe3)2 (Flu-NHC = (C13H8CH2CH2(NCHCCHN)C6H2Me3-2,4,6); Ln = Sc (1a); Ln = Y (1b); Ln = Ho (1c); Ln = Lit (1d)), were synthesized and fully characterized by NMR and X-ray diffraction analyses. Complexes Ib-d with the activation of (AlBu3)-Bu-i and [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] exhibited high activity, medium syndio-but remarkably high 3,4-regio-selectivity, and the unprecedented livingness for the polymerization of isoprene. Such distinguished catalytic performances could be maintained under various monomer-to-initiator ratios (500-5000) and broad polymerization temperatures (25-80 degrees C).

New rare earth metal bis(alkyl)s bearing an iminophosphonamido ligand. Synthesis and catalysis toward highly 3,4-selective polymerization of isoprene

Newrareearth metal bis(alkyl) complexes [(NPNPh)Ln(CH2SiMe3)(2)(THF) (NPNPh:N(Ph)PPh2=NC6H2Me3-2,4,6; Ln = Sc (3a), Ln = Y (3b), Ln = Lu (3c)) and [(NPNPy)Sc(CH2SiMe3)(2)(THF)1 (NPNPY = N(Py)PPh2=NC6H2Me3-2,4,6) (3d)) have been prepared via protonolysis reaction between rare earth metal tris(alkyl)s and the corresponding iminophosphonamines. Complexes 3a-d are analogous monomers of THF solvate. Each metal ion coordinates to a eta(2)-chelated NPN ligand and two cis-located alkyl groups, adopting tetrahedron geometry.

Microlenses fabricated by discontinuous dewetting and soft lithography

This letter describes an approach to fabricating microlens arrays with low cost and large area through the combination of discontinuous dewetting and reversible water-ice transition via a soft lithography replica process. Microlenses with different curvature can be tuned by the modulation of the wettability of the substrates. The microlenses fabricated can project clear miniaturized images.

Facile preparation of macroscopic soft colloidal crystals with fiber symmetry

A facile, efficient way to fabricate macroscopic soft colloidal crystals with fiber symmetry by drying a latex dispersion in a tube is presented. A transparent, stable colloidal crystal was obtained from a 25 wt % latex dispersion by complete water evaporation for 4 days. The centimeter-long sample was investigated by means of synchrotron small-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXD). Analysis of a large number of distinct Bragg peaks reveals that uniaxially oriented colloidal crystals with face-centered cubic lattice structure were formed.

Enolic Schiff base aluminum complexes and their catalytic stereoselective polymerization of racemic lactide

A series of enolic Schiff base aluminum(III) complexes LAIR (where L = NNOO-tetradentate enolic Schiff base ligand) containing ligands that differ in their steric and electronic properties were synthesized. Their single crystals showed that these complexes are five -coordinated around the aluminum center. Their coordination geometries are between square pyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal. Their catalytic properties in the solution polymerization of racemic lactide (rac-LA) were examined. The modifications in the auxiliary ligand exhibited a dramatic influence on the catalytic performance.

Grown-like macrocycle zinc complex derived from beta-diketone ligand for the polymerization of rac-lactide

Enolic Schiff base zinc (II) complex 1 was synthesized. XRD revealed 1 was a novel crown-like macrocycle structure consisted of hexanuclear units of (LZnEt)(6) via the coordination chelation between the Zn atom and adjacent amine nitrogen atom. Further reaction of 1 with one equivalent 2-propanol at RT produced Zn-alkoxide 2 by in situ alcoholysis. Complex 2 was used as an initiator to polymerize rac-lactide in a controlled manner to give heterotactic enriched polylactide. Factors that influenced the polymerization such as the polymerization time and the temperature as well as the monomer concentration were discussed in detail in this paper.

Synthesis and characterization of novel neutral nickel complexes bearing fluorinated salicylaidiminato ligands and their catalytic behavior for vinylic polymerization of norbornene

A series of salicylaldimine-based neutral Ni(II) complexes (3a-j) [ArN = CH(C6H40)]Ni(PPh3)Ph [3a,Ar = C6H5; 3b,Ar = C6H4F(o); 3c, Ar = C6H4F(m); 3d, Ar = C6H4F(p); 3e, Ar = C6H3F2(2,4); 3f, Ar = C6H3F2(2,5); 3g, Ar = C6H3F2(2,6); 3h, Ar = C6H3F2(3,5); 3i, Ar = C6H2F3(3,4,5); 3j, Ar = C6H5] have been synthesized in good yield, and the structures of complexes 3a and 3i have been confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Using modified methylaluminoxane as a cocatalyst, these neutral Ni(II) complexes exhibited high catalytic activities for the vinylic polymerization of norbornene.

Ethylene polymerization by (alpha-diimine)nickel(II) complexes bearing different substituents on para-position of imines activated with MMAO

A series of (alpha-diimine)nickel(II) complexes [ArN = C(Nap)C = NAr]NiBr2 (Nap = 1,8-naphthdiyl, Ar = 2,6-Me2C6H3, 3a; Ar = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2 3b; Ar = 2,6-Me-2-4-tBuC(6)H(2), 3c; Ar 2,6-Me-2-4-BrC6H2, 3d; Ar = 2,6-Me-2-4-ClC6H2, 3e; Ar 2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3), 3f; Ar = 2,4,6-iPr(3)C(6)H(2), 3g; Ar = 2,6-iPr-4-BrC6H2, 3h) have been synthesized, characterized, and investigated as precatalysts for ethylene polymerization in the presence of modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO).

Ethylene polymerization, and the copolymerizations of ethylene with hexene or norbornene with highly active mono(beta-enaminoketonato) vanadium(III) catalysts

Five novel vanadium(III) complexes [PhN = C(R-2)CHC(R-1)O]VCl2(THF)(2) (4a: R-1 = Ph, R-2 = CF3; 4b: R-1 =t-Bu, R-2 = CF3; 4c: R-1 = CF3, R-2 = CH3; 4d: R-1 = Ph, R-2 = CH3; 4e: R-1 = Ph, R-2 = H) have been synthesized and characterized. On activation with Et2AlCl, all the complexes, in the presence of ethyl trichloroacetate (ETA) as a promoter, are highly active precatalysts for ethylene polymerization, and produce high molecular weight and linear polymers. Catalyst activities more than 16.8 kg PE/mmolv h bar and weight-average molecular weights higher than 173 kg/ mol were observed under mild conditions.

Ethylene Polymerization of the New Titanium Complexes Bearing a Phosphine Oxide-Bridged Bisphenolato Ligand

A series of novel titanium(IV) complexes combining a phosphine oxide-bridged bisphenolato ligand TiCl2{2,2'-O=P-R-3 (4-R-2-6-R-1-C6H2O)(2)}(THF) (6a: R-1 = tBu, R-2 - H, R-3 Ph; 6b: R-1 - Ph, R-2 = H, R-3 = Ph; 6c: R-1 = R-2 = tBu, R-3 = Ph; 6d: R-1 = R-2 cumyl, R-3 = Ph; 6e: R-1 = tBu, R-2 = H, R-3 = PhF5) were prepared by the reaction of corresponding bisphenolato ligands with TiCl4 in THF. X-ray analysis reveals that complex 6a adopts distorted octahedral geometry around the titanium center. These catalysts were performed for ethylene polymerization in the presence of modified methyaluminoxane (MMAO).

Polymerization of ethylene to branched polyethylene with silica and Merrifield resin supported nickel(II) catalysts with alpha-diimine ligands

Silica and Merrifield resin were used as carriers for the support of alpha-diimine nickel(II) precatalysts for ethylene polymerization. The alpha-diimine ligands containing allyl were modified by introducing the reactive Si-Cl end-group, allowing their immobilization via a direct reaction of the Si-Cl groups with the silanols on silica surface or the hydroxyls on the ethanolamine-modified Merrifield resin. The resulting supported alpha-diimine ligands were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques (NMR and Fr-IR).