Cationic Group 4 metal alkyl compounds containing aryloxide ligation: synthesis, structure, reactivity and polymerization studies

A series of bis(alkyl) derivatives of titanium and zirconium [(ArO)(2)MR2] (M = Ti, Zr; R = Me, CH2Ph; ArO = various 2,6-di-substituted phenoxides) has been synthesized and their reactivity towards the Lewis acid [B(C6F5)(3)] examined. The benzyl compounds generate stable zwitterionic species such as [M(OC6HPh2-2,6-R-2-3,5)(2)(CH2Ph)][eta(6)-C6H5CH2B(C6F5)(3)] (M = Ti, R = H. 12; Me, 13: M = Zr, R = Me, 15). Structural studies of 12 and 15 show the boron anion pi-bound to the metal center through the original benzyl phenyl ring. In contrast, treatment of the benzyl compound [Zr(OC6H3Bu2'-2,6)(2)(CH2Ph)(2)] with [B(C6F5)(3)] leads to the cyclometallated compound [Zr(OC6H3Bu'-CMe2CH2)(OC6H3Bu2'-2,6)][eta(6)-C6H5CH2B(C6F5)(3)] 16 which was structurally characterized. In contrast to this behavior the bis(methyl) species react with [B(C6F5)(3)] to produce unstable methyl cationic intermediates which decompose to a mixture of [Ti(OAr)(2)(CH3)(C6F5)] and [CH3B(C6F5)2]. The titanium zwitterionic benzyl compounds will react with alkynes and alpha-olefins to produce mono-insertion products such as [Ti(OC6H3Ph2-2,6)(2){C(CH3)C(Ph)CH2(eta(6)-C6H5)}][PhCH2B(C6F5)(3)] 24. In these compounds 1.2-insertion of olefins occurs followed by chelation of the original benzyl group to the metal center. Spectroscopic studies show the boron anion is non-coordinated to the metal center. Despite their thermal instability, the methyl cations can be generated in situ in the presence of olefins to produce polymers (ethene and propane) and oligomers (1-hexene). Studies show that the molecular weight of the polymers or oligomers increases systematically with the bulk of the aryloxide ligand. Spectroscopic studies of the polypropylene indicate 1,2-insertion is occurring with P-hydrogen abstraction to produce vinylidene end groups as the termination step. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.