Catalytic Activity of 2-Imino-1,10-phenthrolyl Fe/Co Complexes via Linear Machine Learning

In anticipation of the correlations between catalyst structures and their properties, the catalytic activities of 2-imino-1,10-phenanthrolyl iron and cobalt metal complexes are quantitatively investigated via linear machine learning (ML) algorithms. Comparatively, the Ridge Regression (RR) model has captured more robust predictive performance compared with other linear algorithms, with a correlation coefficient value of R2= 0.952 and a cross-validation value of Q2= 0.871. It shows that different algorithms select distinct types of descriptors, depending on the importance of descriptors. Through the interpretation of the RR model, the catalytic activity is potentially related to the steric effect of substituents and negative charged groups. This study refines descriptor selection for accurate modeling, providing insights into the variation principle of catalytic activity.

Synthesis of Polar-functionalized Isotactic Polypropylenes Using Commercial Heterogeneous Ziegler-Natta Catalyst

The efficient synthesis of polar-functionalized polypropylenes with high molecular weight and high stereoregularity represents a challenging task. This challenge becomes even more daunting when pursuing an industrially preferred heterogeneous process. This study demonstrated the realization of these goals through the use of commercial heterogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalysts in the copolymerization of propylene with ionic cluster polar monomers. The results revealed high copolymerization activity (∼1.1 × 107 g mol-1 h-1), moderate polar monomer incorporation ratios (∼4.9 mol %), high copolymer molecular weight (Mw > 105 g mol-1), high stereoregularity ([mmmm] ∼ 96%), and high melting temperature range (150-162 °C). The utilization of ionic cluster polar monomers improved the thermal stability as well as stereoselectivity of the catalyst. Moreover, the Ziegler-Natta catalyst can homopolymerize ionic cluster polar monomers with high activities (>104 g mol-1 h-1). The resulting polar-functionalized isotactic polypropylenes (iPP) exhibited superior tensile strength, impact strength, creep resistance, transparency, and crystallinity compared with nonpolar iPP. This enhancement was attributable to the dual roles of the ionic cluster polar monomer unit, serving as both a transparent nucleating agent and a dynamic cross-linking functionality. Furthermore, the polar-functionalized iPP exhibited improved compatibility with polar materials, offering benefits for applications in composites, recycling of mixed plastic wastes, 3D printing, and other fields. This study offered a comprehensive solution for the future industrial production of polar-functionalized iPP via copolymerization, bridging the gap between an efficient and practical copolymerization process from a synthetic chemistry perspective and enhanced material properties from an application perspective.

Experimental and Theoretical Insights into the Effect of Dioldibenzoate Isomers on the Performance of Polypropylene Catalysts

Experimental investigations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to study the comprehensive effect of different 3,5-heptanedioldibenzoate (HDDB) optical isomers as the internal electron donor on the catalytic performance of Ziegler-Natta catalysts. The experimental catalytic activity of HDDB has a positive correlation with the relative content of the mesomer incorporated during catalyst preparation, while the hydrogen response of HDDB displayed a negative correlation with the relative content of the mesomer. In order to apply the DFT calculation results to the macroscopic activity of the catalyst, the content of the active centers of the catalyst was analyzed. Assuming that the content of the active centers is proportional to the internal electron donor content of the catalyst, binary linear regression was carried out, which showed a good linear correlation between experimental activity data and internal electron donor content. Furthermore, the fitted activity of the single active centers aligned well with the calculated activation energies. These results revealed that the catalytic activity of polypropylene (PP) catalysts is dependent on both the active center content and the catalytic activity of an individual active center. Additionally, the lower hydrogen response of HDDB leads to a higher molecular weight of polypropylene obtained from the RS-containing catalyst compared to the SS-containing catalyst. Further study reveals that the hydrogen transfer reactions of 2,4-pentanediol dibenzoate (PDDB)/HDDB are influenced by the orientation of the methyl/ethyl groups in different isomers, which affect the activation energy differences between the hydrogen transfer reaction and the propylene insertion reaction, and finally influence the molecular weight of PP.

The Dimerization and Oligomerization of Alkenes Catalyzed with Transition Metal Complexes: Catalytic Systems and Reaction Mechanisms

Dimers and oligomers of alkenes represent a category of compounds that are in great demand in diverse industrial sectors. Among the developing synthetic methods, the catalysis of alkene dimerization and oligomerization using transition metal salts and complexes is of undoubted interest for practical applications. This approach demonstrates substantial potential, offering not only elevated reaction rates but also precise control over the chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity of the reactions. In this review, we discuss the data on catalytic systems for alkene dimerization and oligomerization. Our focus lies in the analysis of how the activity and chemoselectivity of these catalytic systems are influenced by various factors, such as the nature of the transition metal, the ligand environment, the activator, and the substrate structure. Notably, this review particularly discusses reaction mechanisms, encompassing metal complex activation, structural and dynamic features, and the reactivity of hydride intermediates, which serve as potential catalytically active centers in alkene dimerization and oligomerization.

Influence of the Ethanol Content of Adduct on the Comonomer Incorporation of Related Ziegler-Natta Catalysts in Propylene (Co)polymerizations

The aim of this work is to investigate the influence of the ethanol content of adducts on the catalytic behavior of related Ziegler-Natta (ZN) catalysts in propylene homo- and copolymerizations (with 1-hexene comonomer) in terms of activity, isotacticity, H2 response, and comonomer incorporation. For this purpose, three MgCl2.nEtOH adducts with n values of 0.7, 1.2, and 2.8 were synthesized and used in the synthesis of related ZN catalysts. The catalysts were thoroughly characterized using XRD, BET, SEM, EDX, N2 adsorption-desorption, and DFT techniques. Additionally, the microstructure of the synthesized (co)polymers was distinguished via DSC, SSA, and TREF techniques. Their activity was found to enhance with the adduct's ethanol content in both homo- and copolymerization experiments, and the increase was more pronounced in homopolymerization reactions in the absence of H2. Furthermore, the catalyst with the highest ethanol content provided a copolymer with a lower isotacticity index, a shorter meso sequence length, and a more uniform distribution of comonomer within the chains. These results were attributed to the higher total surface area and Ti content of the corresponding catalyst, as well as its lower average pore diameter, a larger proportion of large pores compared to the other two catalysts, and its spherical open bud morphology. It affirms the importance of catalyst/support ethanol-content control during the preparation process. Then, molecular simulation was employed to shed light on the iso-specificity of the polypropylene produced via synthesized catalysts.

Evaluation of the Reactivity of Methanol and Hydrogen Sulfide Residues with the Ziegler-Natta Catalyst during Polypropylene Synthesis and Its Effects on Polymer Properties

The study focused on the evaluation of the influence of inhibitory compounds such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and methanol (CH3OH) on the catalytic productivity and properties of the polymers in the polymerization process with the Ziegler-Natta catalyst. The investigation involved experimental measurements, computational calculations using DFT, and analysis of various parameters, such as molecular weight, melt flow index, xylene solubility, and reactivity descriptors. The results revealed a clear correlation between the concentration of H2S and methanol and the parameters evaluated. Increasing the H2S concentrations, on average by 0.5 and 1.0 ppm, resulted in a drastic decrease in the polymer's molecular weight. A directly proportional relationship was observed between the flow rate and the H2S concentration. In the case of methanol, the change occurred from 60 ppm, causing a sharp decrease in the molecular weight of the polymer, which translates into an increase in the fluidity index and a decrease in solubility in xylene. The presence of these inhibitors also affected the catalytic activity, causing a reduction in the productivity of the Ziegler-Natta catalyst. Computational calculations provided a deeper understanding of the molecular behavior and reactivity of the studied compounds. The computational calculations yielded significantly lower results compared to other studies, with values of -69.0 and -43.9 kcal/mol for the Ti-CH3OH and H2S interactions, respectively. These results indicate remarkable stability in the studied interactions and suggest that both adsorptions are highly favorable.

The role of agostic interaction in the mechanism of ethylene polymerisation using Cr(III) half-sandwich complexes: What dictates the reactivity?

Chromium-based catalysts play a significant role in the production of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, and half-sandwich functionalised-metallocene complexes were proven to be one of the most suitable candidates as catalysts for generating such large polymeric-length olefins. Earlier experimental studies on olefin polymerisation using a series of catalysts such as [L1-2CrCl2] (where L1 = 1-((pyridin-2-yl)methyl)indenyl (1) and L2 = 2-methyl-1-{[4-(yridinene-1-yl)yridine-2-yl]methyl}-1H-indenyl (2)) reveal significant variation where peripheral substitution on the ligand was found to influence the reactivity significantly. However, the specific ligand position that affects the reactivity has not been established. As these reactions are fast and robust, it is challenging to establish reactive intermediates via experiments, and therefore, mechanistic clues for such reactions are elusive. Here we have undertaken a detailed computational study by employing an array of DFT (uB3LYP-D3/def2-TZVP, CASSCF/NEVPT2, and DLPNO-CCSD(T) methods to explore the substituted and non-substituted pyridine-cyclo-pentadienyl chromium complexes and their influence on the catalytic activity in ethylene polymerisation. Our study not only unravels the catalytic pathway for olefin polymerisation for such Cr(III)-half-sandwich complexes but also reveals that the energetics of the formation of pseudo-three-coordinate alkyl intermediates is key to the variation in the reactivity observed. A detailed examination using MO and NBO analysis unveils the presence of a C-H⋯Cr agostic interaction that is found to significantly stabilise this intermediate when the pyridine ligand has strong electron-donating groups at its para position. The other substitutions, such as on the cyclopentadienyl ligand, neither yield the desired stability nor the desired interaction. Further studies on models support this proposal. In order to improve the efficiency and selectivity of catalytic systems in olefin polymerisation, we strongly advocate for the integration of agostic interactions as a crucial criterion in the design of future catalysts. Considering the prevalence of electron-deficient metal centres in successful olefin polymerisation catalysts, this research prompts a broader mechanistic inquiry to propose a unified approach for this industrially crucial reaction.

Enzymatic reactions towards aldehydes: An overview

Many aldehydes are volatile compounds with distinct and characteristic olfactory properties. The aldehydic functional group is reactive and, as such, an invaluable chemical multi-tool to make all sorts of products. Owing to the reactivity, the selective synthesis of aldehydic is a challenging task. Nature has evolved a number of enzymatic reactions to produce aldehydes, and this review provides an overview of aldehyde-forming reactions in biological systems and beyond. Whereas some of these biotransformations are still in their infancy in terms of synthetic applicability, others are developed to an extent that allows their implementation as industrial biocatalysts.

Transition Metal-(μ-Cl)-Aluminum Bonding in α-Olefin and Diene Chemistry

Olefin and diene transformations, catalyzed by organoaluminum-activated metal complexes, are widely used in synthetic organic chemistry and form the basis of major petrochemical processes. However, the role of M−(μ-Cl)−Al bonding, being proven for certain >C=C< functionalization reactions, remains unclear and debated for essentially more important industrial processes such as oligomerization and polymerization of α-olefins and conjugated dienes. Numerous publications indirectly point at the significance of M−(μ-Cl)−Al bonding in Ziegler−Natta and related transformations, but only a few studies contain experimental or at least theoretical evidence of the involvement of M−(μ-Cl)−Al species into catalytic cycles. In the present review, we have compiled data on the formation of M−(μ-Cl)−Al complexes (M = Ti, Zr, V, Cr, Ni), their molecular structure, and reactivity towards olefins and dienes. The possible role of similar complexes in the functionalization, oligomerization and polymerization of α-olefins and dienes is discussed in the present review through the prism of the further development of Ziegler−Natta processes and beyond.

Ancillary ligand effects on α-olefin polymerization catalyzed by zirconium metallocene: a computational study

The polymerization of α-olefins catalyzed by zirconium metallocene catalyst was systematically studied through experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Having achieved an agreement between theory and experiment, it was found that the effect of the catalyst ligand on the C Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> C insertion reaction was significantly greater than that on the β-H elimination reaction. Therefore, the molecular weight of polymers can be increased by improving the activity of the CC insertion. In addition, in comparison with propylene, the chain length of α-olefins can directly affect the stereotacticity of polymerization products, owing to steric hindrance between the polymer chain and monomer.

The polymerization of α-olefins catalyzed by zirconium metallocene catalyst was systematically studied through experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Exploring cocatalyst type effect on the Ziegler–Natta catalyzed ethylene polymerizations: experimental and DFT studies

Due to the important role of cocatalyst in the polymerization process employing industrially favored Ziegler–Natta catalysts, its effect on kinetic behavior, catalyst activity, and polymer properties is discussed. In this paper, triethyl aluminum (TEA) and triisobutyl aluminum (TIBA) have been used as the main cocatalyst ingredient with 10–20 mol percent of diethyl aluminum chloride (DEAC) and ethyl aluminum dichloride (EADC) cocatalysts, being neat TEA the cocatalysts with the highest activity. Moreover, TEA-DEAC and TEA-EADC cocatalysts revealed a built-up kinetic profile, while TIBA-DEAC and TIBA-EADC show a decay-type kinetic curve. According to melt flow index results, no considerable change in flowability was detected in the synthesized polyethylenes (PE). On the other hand, the ethylene insertion and chain termination mechanisms were investigated by means of density functional calculations using Ti active center located in (110) and (104) facets of the MgCl2 surface. To shed light on the bulkiness level of employed cocatalysts, buried volume (VBur) together with the two-dimensional map of cocatalyst systems were considered. Higher VBur of TIBA complex can explain its lower activity and decay type kinetic profile obtained by experimental studies.

The atomic defects on the (104) and (110) surfaces of the MgCl2-supported Ziegler–Natta catalyst: a periodic DFT study

This work presents a DFT study on the effects of atomic defects in the MgCl2-supported Ziegler–Natta catalyst. The adsorption behaviours of TiCl4 and internal donors on the ideal and defective MgCl2(104) and (110) surfaces were investigated.