Soluble Bimetallic μ-Oxo-alkoxides. 8. Structure and Kinetic Behavior of the Catalytic Species in Unsubstituted Lactone Ring-Opening Polymerization

Bimetallic polymerization of lactide with binaphthol-derived bis-heteroscorpionate dizinc and dimagnesium complexes

Discrete bimetallic catalysts often provide enhanced reactivity and selectivity in lactone polymerization, making metal-metal cooperativity an important design principle for new catalyst development. However, the poor modularity of binucleating ligands limits structure-reactivity analysis and optimization. This report describes a modular, binucleating bis(pyrazolyl)alkane ligand series (1-R) bridged by a chiral binaphthol unit, prepared by nucleophile-catalyzed condensation between a dialdehyde and a bis(pyrazolyl)methanone. A bis(ethylzinc) complex was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, but in situ complexation with Zn(HMDS)₂ and Mg(HMDS)₂ provided more active catalysts for lactide polymerization (HMDS^- = hexamethyldisilazide). Structure-reactivity studies identified complexes of 1-Me₂ as the most active, and these catalysts show significant enhancements in rate compared to their monometallic analogues. Kinetic analysis resulted in first-order dependence on both mono- and bimetallic catalysts, suggesting metal-metal cooperativity as the basis for this rate enhancement. End-group analysis and low dispersity implicate a coordination-insertion mechanism through an alkoxide. Despite rapid transesterification observed by MALDI, we still demonstrated controlled polymerization in the block copolymerization of ε-caprolactone and L-lactide. Although we observed rate differences in the polymerization of L-lactide by opposite enantiomer catalysts, we did not observe catalyst-directed stereoselectivity in the polymerization of rac- or meso-lactide.

Preparation of multiblock copolymers via step-wise addition of l-lactide and trimethylene carbonate

The synthesis of up to pentablock copolymers from various combinations of l-lactide and trimethylene carbonate was accomplished using a dinuclear zinc complex, and the physical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the resulting copolymers evaluated.

Poly(l-lactide) (PLA) is a bioderived and biodegradable polymer that has limited applications due to its hard and brittle nature. Incorporation of 1,3-trimethylene carbonate into PLA, in a block copolymer fashion, improves the mechanical properties, while retaining the biodegradability of the polymer, and broadens its range of applications. However, the preparation of 1,3-trimethylene carbonate (TMC)/l-lactide (LA) copolymers beyond diblock and triblock structures has not been reported, with explanations focusing mostly on thermodynamic reasons that impede the copolymerization of TMC after lactide. We discuss the preparation of multiblock copolymers via the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of LA and TMC, in a step-wise addition, by a ferrocene-chelating heteroscorpionate zinc complex, {[fc(PPh₂)(BH[(3,5-Me)₂pz]₂)]Zn(μ-OCH₂Ph)}₂ ([(fc^P,B)Zn(μ-OCH₂Ph)]₂, fc = 1,1′-ferrocenediyl, pz = pyrazole). The synthesis of up to pentablock copolymers, from various combinations of LA and TMC, was accomplished and the physical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the resulting copolymers evaluated.

Group 1 and group 2 metal complexes supported by a bidentate bulky iminopyrrolyl ligand: synthesis, structural diversity, and ε-caprolactone polymerization study

We report here a series of alkali and alkaline earth metal complexes, each with a bulky iminopyrrolyl ligand [2-(Ph3CN=CH)C4H3NH] (1-H) moiety in their coordination sphere, synthesized using either alkane elimination or silylamine elimination methods or the salt metathesis route. The lithium salt of molecular composition [Li(2-(Ph3CN=CH)C4H3N)(THF)2] (2) was prepared using the alkane elimination method, and the silylamine elimination method was used to synthesize the dimeric sodium and tetra-nuclear potassium salts of composition [(2-(Ph3CN=CH)C4H3N)Na(THF)]2 (3) and [(2-(Ph3CN=CH)C4H3N)K(THF)0.5]4 (4) respectively. The magnesium complex of composition [(THF)2Mg(CH2Ph){2-(Ph3CN=CH)C4H3N}] (5) was synthesized through the alkane elimination method, in which [Mg(CH2Ph)2(OEt2)2] was treated with the bulky iminopyrrole ligand 1-H in 1 : 1 molar ratio, whereas the bis(iminopyrrolyl)magnesium complex [(THF)2Mg{2-(Ph3CN=CH)C4H3N}2] (6) was isolated using the salt metathesis route. The heavier alkaline earth metal complexes of the general formula {(THF)nM(2-(Ph3CN=CH)C4H3N)2} [M = Ca (7), Sr (8), and n = 2; M = Ba (9), n = 3] were prepared in pure form using two synthetic methods: in the first method, the bulky iminopyrrole ligand 1-H was directly treated with the alkaline earth metal precursor [M{N(SiMe3)2}2(THF)n] (where M = Ca, Sr and Ba) in 2 : 1 molar ratio in THF solvent at ambient temperature. The complexes 7-9 were also obtained using the salt metathesis reaction, which involves the treatment of the potassium salt (4) with the corresponding metal diiodides MI2 (M = Ca, Sr and Ba) in 2 : 1 molar ratio in THF solvent. The molecular structures of all the metal complexes (1-H, 2-9) in the solid state were established through single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The complexes 5-9 were tested as catalysts for the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone. High activity was observed in the heavier alkaline earth metal complexes 7-9, with a very narrow polydispersity index in comparison to that of magnesium complexes 5 and 6.

Method of continuous variations: applications of job plots to the study of molecular associations in organometallic chemistry

Applications of the method of continuous variations (MCV or the Method of Job) to problems of interest to organometallic chemists are described. MCV provides qualitative and quantitative insights into the stoichiometries underlying association of m molecules of A and n molecules of B to form A(m)B(n) . Applications to complex ensembles probe associations that form metal clusters and aggregates. Job plots in which reaction rates are monitored provide relative stoichiometries in rate-limiting transition structures. In a specialized variant, ligand- or solvent-dependent reaction rates are dissected into contributions in both the ground states and transition states, which affords insights into the full reaction coordinate from a single Job plot. Gaps in the literature are identified and critiqued.

Ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters by phenoxy-thioether complexes derived from biocompatible metals

A series of novel Mg(II) and Zn(II) complexes of the form LMX or L2M, supported by phenoxy-thioether ligands bearing different substituents at the ortho position of the thiophenol rings [L(-) = 4,6-tBu2-OC6H2-2-CH2S(2-R-C6H4)(-)] [M = Zn, R = H, X = N(SiMe3)2 (1) and X = Et (2); M = Mg, X = n-Bu, R = H (3), R = CH3 (4), R = Br (5); M = Mg, R = H (6)], were synthesized and characterized. Reaction of the proper zinc precursor (Zn[N(SiHMe2)2]2 or ZnEt2) with one equivalent of the phenoxy-thioether proligand produced the corresponding amido (1) and ethyl (2) zinc complexes in high yields. The monoalkylmagnesium complexes (3-5) were all obtained by butane elimination reaction of the dialkylmagnesium reagent, Mg(n-Bu)2, with one equivalent of the proligand in good yields. The homoleptic complex 6 was obtained by reaction of 0.5 equivalent of Mg(n-Bu)2 and the proper proligand. Variable temperature (1)H NMR studies performed on 2 and 3 demonstrated that the named complexes are involved in fluxional processes concerning a fast conformational change of the six-membered metallacycle. DOSY (Diffusion Ordered SpectroscopY) (1)H experiments and ligand scrambling strongly suggested that complexes 1-6 exist as dimeric species in solution. All complexes were active as catalysts in the ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters. In particular, magnesium complexes showed superior ε-caprolactone and lactide ROP behavior in terms of activity, control of molecular weights and molecular weight distributions.

Tert-butylamidinate tin(ii) complexes: high activity, single-site initiators for the controlled production of polylactide

The tin(ii) coordination chemistry of two monoanionic N,N'-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)alkylamidinate ligands is described. Complexation studies with the acetamidinate, [MeC(NAr)(2)](-), (Ar = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)) are complicated by the side formation of the bis(amidinate) tin(ii) compound, [MeC(NAr)(2)](2)Sn. By contrast, the bulkier tert-butylamidinate, [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)](-), allows tin(ii) mono-halide, -alkoxide and -amide complexes to be isolated cleanly in high yields. Thus, the reaction of [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)]H with (n)BuLi and subsequent treatment with SnCl(2) generates [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)]SnCl, in ca. 70% yield. Reactions of with LiO(i)Pr, LiNMe(2) and LiNTMS(2) afford [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)]Sn(O(i)Pr), [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)]Sn(NMe(2)), and [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)]Sn(NTMS(2)), respectively. The molecular structures of complexes are reported. Complexes, and have been investigated as initiators for the ring-opening polymerisation of rac-lactide: and display characteristics of well-controlled polymerisation initiators, but high molecular weight polymer is observed with due to inefficient initiation, a consequence of the steric bulk of the NTMS(2) unit. Polymerisations with and are faster than for the corresponding beta-diketiminate tin(ii) complexes, consistent with the more open nature of the tin(ii) coordination sphere.

Polymerization of lactide with zinc and magnesium beta-diiminate complexes: stereocontrol and mechanism

A series of zinc(II) and magnesium(II) alkoxides based upon a beta-diiminate ligand framework has been prepared. [(BDI-1)ZnO(i)Pr](2) [(BDI-1) = 2-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amido)-4-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino)-2-pentene] exhibited the highest activity and stereoselectivity of the zinc complexes studied for the polymerization of rac- and meso-lactide to poly(lactic acid) (PLA). [(BDI-1)ZnO(i)()Pr](2) polymerized (S,S)-lactide to isotactic PLA without epimerization of the monomer, rac-lactide to heterotactic PLA (P(r) = 0.94 at 0 degrees C), and meso-lactide to syndiotactic PLA (P(r) = 0.76 at 0 degrees C). The polymerizations are living, as evidenced by the narrow polydispersities of the isolated polymers in addition to the linear nature of number average molecular weight versus conversion plots and monomer-to-catalyst ratios. The substituents on the beta-diiminate ligand exert a significant influence upon the course of the polymerizations, affecting both the degree of stereoselectivity and the rate of polymerization. Kinetic studies with [(BDI-1)ZnO(i)Pr](2) indicate that the polymerizations are first order with respect to monomer (rac-lactide) and 1.56 order in catalyst. Polymerization experiments with [(BDI-1)MgO(i)Pr](2) revealed that this complex is extremely fast for the polymerization of rac-lactide, polymerizing 500 equiv in 96% yield in less than 5 min at 20 degrees C.