Hybrid scorpionate/cyclopentadienyl titanium and zirconium complexes with alkoxide and imido ligands

The reactivity of hybrid scorpionate/cyclopentadienyl ligand-containing trichloride zirconium complexes [ZrCl₃(bpzcp)] (1) [bpzcp = 2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-1,1-diphenylethylcyclopentadienyl] and [ZrCl₃(bpztcp)] (2) [bpztcp = 2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-1-tert-butylethylcyclopentadienyl] toward several lithium alkoxides has been carried out. Thus, alkoxide-containing complexes [ZrCl₂(OR)(bpzcp)] (R = Me, 3; Et, 4; ⁱPr, 5; (R)-2-Bu, 6), [ZrCl₂(OR)(bpztcp)] (R = Me, 7; Et, 8; ⁱPr, 9; (R)-2-Bu, 10) and [Zr(OR)₃(bpztcp)] (R = Et, 11; ⁱPr, 12) were prepared by deprotonation of the appropriate alcohol group with BuⁿLi followed by reaction with 1 or 2. In addition, the imido-complex [Ti(N^tBu)Cl(bpztcp)(py)] (13) were also prepared. The structures of these complexes have been proposed on basis of spectroscopic and DFT methods.     

Synthesis and structure of bulky phosphiniminato complexes of zirconium and hafnium: Aryl groups as “non-innocent” substituents in electrophilic systems

Sterically highly hindered phosphiniminato complexes MCl₃(NCP) were prepared from MCl₄ and Li[NPC] in toluene [M = Zr or Hf; NPC = 4-Bu^tC₆H₄C(SiMe₃)P(Ph)₂NC₆H₂Me₃-2,4,6]. Reaction with methyl lithium readily affords the corresponding zirconium and hafnium trimethyl complexes. The structures of representative zirconium and hafnium complexes MX₃(NPC) (X = Cl, M = Zr, Hf; X = Me, M = Hf) were determined by X-ray diffraction. In all cases the NPC ligand acts as C-N chelate, with an additional bonding contribution from the ipso-carbon atom of the C-bound aryl substituent, which results in a η¹:η²-coordination mode. The reaction of the hafnium trimethyl complex with salts of perfluoroarylborate anions results either in the diastereoselective formation of the binuclear cation [{(NPC)HfMe₂}₂(μ-Me)]⁺ or in the formation of the mononuclear cation [(NPC)HfMe₂]⁺, depending on the molar ratio of reagents.     

Hafnium chloride and hafnium methyl complexes bearing substituted pyrrolyl ligands: synthesis, characterization, and ethylene polymerization

Reactions of HfCl₄ with 2 and 3 equiv. of Li[C₄H₃N(CH₂NMe₂)-2] in toluene afford HfCl₂[C₄H₃N(CH₂NMe₂)-2]₂ (1) and HfCl[C₄H₃N(CH₂NMe₂)-2]₃ (2), respectively. Transmetallation reaction of 1 with 2 equiv. of MeLi results in a hafnium dimethyl compound HfMe₂[C₄H₃N(CH₂NMe₂)-2]₂ (3). A variable-temperature ¹H NMR spectroscopic study shows that the activation energy for the dissociation/association of the NMe₂ units of compound 2 in solution is ca. 13.6 kcal/mol. Compounds 1-3 are characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction. A polymerization study shows that compounds 1 and 3 exhibit moderate activity toward ethylene in the presence of TIBA and MAO.     

Synthesis and structure of the lithium, zirconium and hafnium N-silyl-N′-benzyl-benzamidinates

The interaction of LiN(SiMe₃)CH₂Ph with one equivalent of benzenitrile gave the N-silyl-N′-benzyl-benzamidinato-lithium compound [{Me₃SiNC(Ph)N(CH₂Ph)}Li(Et₂O)]₂ (1). The derivative zirconium and hafnium compounds were produced by the treatment of 1 with ZrCl₄ or HfCl₄ in tetrahydrofuran or diethyl ether at ambient temperature, respectively, with the general formula [Me₃SiNC(Ph)N(CH₂Ph)]₃MCl (M = Zr (2), Hf (3)). Compounds 1, 2 and 3 were also characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction and NMR analysis.     

Titanium complexes with chiral amino alcohol ligands: synthesis and structure of complexes related to hydroamination catalysts

Titanium complexes with chiral amino alcohol ligands are useful precatalysts for the intramolecular hydroamination of aminoallenes. They can be synthesized via protonolysis of titanium dimethylamide starting materials with the free ligand. In most cases, the resulting materials are not isolable due to their oily nature. However, several complexes were prepared in pure form and isolated as solid materials. [Ti(Cl)(NMe₂)(-OCH₂CH(Ph)N(CHMe₂)-]₂ was prepared at room temperature from TiCl(NMe₂)₃ and the corresponding N-substituted d-amino alcohol; the dimeric nature of the complex was established by X-ray crystallography. [Ti(NMe₂)₂(-OCH₂CH(Ph)N(2-Ad)-)]₂ (2-Ad = 2-Adamantyl) was prepared from Ti(NMe₂)₄ and the corresponding N-substituted l-amino alcohol after prolonged heating. An intermediate complex that could not be purified or isolated is believed to be Ti(NMe₂)₃(-OCH₂CH(Ph)NH(2-Ad)). Two complexes with the composition TiCl₂(-OCH₂CH(R*)N(CHMe₂)-)(HNMe₂) (where R* = CH₂Ph or CHMe₂) were prepared at room temperature by protonolysis of TiCl₂(NMe₂)₂ with the corresponding N-substituted l-amino alcohols. These two complexes exhibit dynamic behavior on the NMR timescale that is believed to be a dimer-monomer equilibrium, but they decompose at elevated temperatures.     

AM1* parameters for aluminum, silicon, titanium and zirconium

Our extension of the AM1 semiempirical molecular orbital technique, AM1*, has been parameterized for the elements Al, Si, Ti and Zr. The basis sets for all four metals contain a set of d-orbitals. Thus, AM1* parameters are now available for H, C, N, O and F (which use the original AM1 parameters), Al, Si, P, S, Cl, Ti, Mo and Zr. Special attention was paid to reproducing homolytic and heterolytic bond-dissociation energies correctly. Such bond-energy data help to avoid eccentricities in the parameterization caused by inaccurate experimental heats of formation. The performance and typical errors of AM1* for the newly parameterized elements are discussed. Generally, the new method performs less well than established techniques for heats of formation but considerably better for the heats of reaction. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at     

The synthesis and structural characterisation of two polynuclear hafnium(IV) complexes

Attempts to form extended supramolecular structures incorporating hafnium(IV) complexes of p-sulfonatocalix[6]arene resulted in the serendipitous formation of two polynuclear-hafnium clusters. Subsequent reaction between hafnium triflate and 1 M sulfuric or p-toluenesulfonic acid solutions also led to the formation of the same clusters, identified as cations based on Hf₁₇ and Hf₄, respectively.     

Titanium and vanadium complexes with tetraphenylimidodiphosphinate

Treatment of [Ti(OPrⁱ)₂Cl₂] with K(tpip) (tpip⁻ = [N(PPh₂O)₂]⁻) followed by chlorination with HCl afforded cis-[Ti(tpip)₂Cl]₂ (1). Reduction of 1 with Na/Hg in THF gave [Ti(tpip)₃] (2), which could also be prepared from [TiCl₃(THF)₃] and K(tpip). Recrystallization of [V(O)(tpip)₂] (3) from CH₂Cl₂-Et₂O in air afforded trinuclear [{V(O)}₃(μ-tpip)₃(μ-O)₃] (4). Treatment of [Cr(NBu^t)₂Cl₂] and [Cr(NBu^t)Cl₃(dme)] (dme = 1,2-dimethoxyethane) with [Ag(tpip)]₄ led to isolation of [Cr(tpip)₃] (6) and [Cr(NBu^t)(tpip)₂Cl] (7), respectively. The Ti- and V-tpip complexes are capable of catalyzing oxidation of sulfides with tert-butyl hydroperoxide and H₂O₂. The crystal structures of 1, 2, and 4 have been determined.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and antimicrobial activities of thioether ligands containing quinoline and pyridine terminal groups and their transition metal complexes

Eleven transition metal complexes of three asymmetrical tridentate thioether ligands, 8-((pyridin-2-yl)methylthio) quinoline (TQMP2), 8-((pyridin-3-yl)methylthio) quinoline (TQMP3), 8-((pyridin-4-yl)methylthio) quinoline (TQMP4) and one symmetrical pentadentate ligand 2,6-bis (8-quinolinylthiomethyl) pyridine (DTQMP) were prepared. The structures of all these complexes were identified by means of elemental analysis (EA), infrared spectra (IR) and single-crystal diffraction, providing three different kinds of basic conformations, (1) discrete mononuclear structures, (2) dinuclear rings and (3) 1D polymer chains. The antibacterial, antifungal and pesticide activities of the four ligands and 11 complexes were also studied.     

Syntheses, characterizations, and olefin polymerizations of methylene-bridged 1,3-dimethylcyclopentadienyl/indenyl and 1,3-dimethylcyclopentadienyl/tetrahydroindenyl zirconium complexes

A cyclopentadiene compound having methyl substituents on 1,3-positions, 1,3-Me₂-2-CH₂(OTHP)-C₅H₃ (3) is prepared from 2-bromo-3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one ethylene ketal (1) in 48% overall yield. Addition of 2.5 equivalents of indenyllithium to 3 affords a methylene bridged 1,3-dimethylcyclopentadienyl indenyl compound, CH₂(1,3-Me₂C₅H₃)(C₉H₇) (5) in 72% yield. Reaction of dilithium salt of 5 with ZrCl₂(NMe₂)₂ (DME) furnishes an ansa-zirconocene complex [CH₂(1,3-Me₂C₅H₂)(C₉H₆)]Zr(NMe₂)₂ (6), which is transformed cleanly to the dichloride complex, [CH₂(1,3-Me₂C₅H₂)(C₉H₆)]ZrCl₂ (7), by treatment of Me₃SiCl. Hydrogenation of 7 over PtO₂ gives a tetrahydroindenyl complex [CH₂(1,3-Me₂C₅H₂)(C₉H₁₀)]ZrCl₂ (8). Reaction of the dilithium salt of 5 with Ti(NMe₂)₂Cl₂ does not provide the desired ansa-titanocene complex, but a dinuclear complex [(1,3-Me₂C₅H₂)Ti(NMe₂)₂Cl]-CH₂-[(C₉H₆)Ti(NMe₂)Cl] (9) is obtained. The solid structures of 6 and 9 were determined by X-ray crystallography. The ethylene and ethylene/norbornene (co)polymerizations were studied with 7/MAO and 8/MAO.     

Monocyclopentadienyl titanium complexes supported by functionalized carboxylate ligands

The reaction of [TiCp*Cl₃] with [Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₄COOH)] in the presence of NEt₃ yields [TiCp*{(OOC-C₅H₄)FeCp}₃] (1), (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅). The alkyl complex [TiCp*Me₃] reacts with [FeCp(η⁵-C₅H₄-CH₂COOH)] or anthranilic acid rendering the tris-carboxylate titanium complexes [TiCp*{(OOCCH₂-C₅H₄)FeCp}₃] (2) and [TiCp*{(OOCC₆H₄NH₂)₃] (3), respectively. Complex 3 can be protonated with triflic acid to render [TiCp*{(OOCC₆H₄NH₂)₃].HOTf (4). The reaction of [TiCp*Me₃] with anthranilic acid in a 1:2 M ratio yields the alkyl carboxylate derivative [TiCp*Me{(OOCC₆H₄NH₂)₂] (5). Complex 5 reacts with ^tBuNC to render the iminoacyl complex [TiCp*(η²-MeCN^tBu){(OOCC₆H₄NH₂)₂] (6). The reaction of [TiCp*Cl₃] with the ferroceneacetic acid, gives [TiCp*Cl₂{(OOCCH₂-C₅H₄)FeCp}] (7). The [TiCp*Cl]₂(μ-O)[(ΟΟC-C₅H₄)₂Fe] (8) can be obtained by reaction of [TiCp*Cl₃] with [Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄-COOH)₂] in the presence of a base. The molecular structures of 1 and 8 have been established by X-ray diffraction methods.     

Reactivity of a new family of diamido-diamine cyclam-based zirconium complexes in ethylene polymerization

Compounds of general formula [(^∗Bn₂Cyclam)ZrCl₂] (^∗Bn = 4-^tBuC₆H₄CH₂, (4) and 4-CF₃C₆H₄CH₂, (5)) were synthesised using Zr(CH₂SiMe₃)₂Cl₂(Et₂O)₂ and the corresponding ligand precursors 1,8-(4-^tbutylbenzyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (H₂(4-^tBuBn)₂Cyclam), (4a), and 1,8-(4-trifluoromethylbenzyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (H₂(4-CF₃Bn)₂Cyclam), (5a). Complexes 4 and 5, in addition to other [(^∗Bn₂Cyclam)ZrCl₂] compounds previously described by some of us (^∗Bn = PhCH₂, (1), 3,5-Me₂C₆H₃CH₂, (2) and 3,5-^tBu₂C₆H₃CH₂, (3)) were tested in the polymerization of ethylene in the presence of MAO. System 4/MAO presents the highest activity (2790 g PE molZr⁻¹ h⁻¹ atm⁻¹). The polymers formed are slight to moderately branched polyethylenes with a percentage of branching ranging between 1.2% and 3.3%. The melting points obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) ranging from 128 to 140 °C, are consistent with rather high average molecular weight polymers with crystallinity close to 50%.     

Ethylene homopolymerization and ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization catalysed by mixed salicylaldiminato cyclopentadienyl zirconium complexes

Three new mixed salicylaldiminato cyclopentadienyl zirconium complexes Cp′[2-Bu^t-6-(C₆H₁₁NCH)C₆H₃O]ZrCl₂ (Cp′ = ⁿBuC₅H₄ (3a), ^tBuC₅H₄ (3b) and Me₄C₅H (3c)) were prepared and the structure of complex 3c was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. All of the three complexes showed high activities for ethylene homopolymerization with the activation of methylaluminoxane, and 3a showed the highest activity up to 1.15 × 10⁶ g PE/mol Zr h for ethylene homopolymerization at 70 °C. The ¹³C NMR spectrum showed that the obtained polymer is linear polyethylene. Complexes 3a-c also catalysed ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization with high activities from 6.29 × 10⁵ to 12.3 × 10⁵ g Copolymer/mol Zr h and with 0.89-1.39% 1-hexene incorporation level. In addition, the influence of the substituted alkyl on Cp on the catalytic behavior of corresponding zirconium complexes was discussed.     

Titanocene complexes with nonlinear pseudohalide ligands: Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and crystal structure

Binuclear titanocene complexes [Cp₂Ti(tcm)]₂O (4), [Cp₂Ti(dca)]₂O (5) and [Cp₂Ti(dcnm)]₂O (6) (tcm⁻ = tricyanomethanide, dca⁻ = dicyanamide and dcnm⁻ = dicyanonitrosomethanide) were synthesized in moderate yields by the reaction of Cp₂TiCl₂ (1) with respective alkali metal pseudohalide salts in the aqueous solution. When the reaction was carried out in dry organic solvents, mononuclear compounds Cp₂Ti(tcm)₂ (2) and Cp₂Ti(dca)₂ (3) were isolated. Preparation of dipseudohalide complex Cp₂Ti(dcnm)₂ by this manner was unsuccessful due to decomposition of dcnm ligand resulting in formation of oxygen-bridged compound 6. All prepared compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR, Raman, infrared and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Molecular structures of 2, 4 and 6 (two polymorphs) have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Bis(cyclopentadienyl) zirconium(IV) amides as possible precursors for low pressure CVD and plasma-enhanced ALD

Low pressure chemical vapour deposition (LPCVD) of [ZrCp₂(NMe₂)₂] (1), [ZrCp₂(η²-MeNCH₂CH₂NMe)] (2), [ZrCp′₂(NMe₂)₂] (3) and [ZrCp′₂(NEt₂)₂] (4) (Cp = η⁵-cyclopentadienyl, Cp′ = η⁵-monomethylcyclopentadienyl), onto glass substrates at 600 °C, afforded highly reflective and adhesive films of zirconium carbide and amorphous carbon. Powder XRD indicated that the films were largely amorphous, although small, broad peaks accounting for ZrC and ZrO₂ were present, suggesting that the remaining carbon was due to amorphous deposits from the cyclopentadienyl ligands. SEM images showed an island-growth mechanism with distinct crevices between the concentric nodules. Plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) of compounds 1 and 2 showed that the precursors were not sufficiently stable or volatile to give a good rate of film growth.     

New Fe starting materials: preparation, characterisation and structural features of iron halide complexes with alcohol ligands

The new mononuclear [FeCl₂(HOPrⁱ)₄] (1), polymeric [{Cl₃Fe(μ-Cl)Fe(HOPrⁱ)₄}_n] (2) and binuclear [I₂Fe(μ-I)₂Fe(PrⁱOH)₄] (3) iron(II) complexes have been synthesized in high yields in propan-2-ol or toluene/propan-2-ol mixtures at room temperature. Magnetic moment measurements, ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy data and the results of semi-empirical quantum mechanical calculations confirmed the high-spin configuration of the iron(II) centres, which were shown to be four- and/or six-coordinate by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding was observed in the solid state structure of 1, intramolecular interactions in 2, while both intra- and intermolecular association was seen in 3. Long iron-(μ-halide) bonds suggest the possibility of complex dissociation in solution and facile ligand substitution in 2 and 3.     

Phthalocyaninato complexes with peripheral alkylthio chains: disk-like adsorbate species for the vertical anchoring of ligands on gold surfaces

Thin metalorganic films were prepared on gold by self-assembly of thioether-functionalised phthalocyaninato complexes from solution. The phthalocyaninato ligands used contain eight peripheral, β-positioned, alkylthio substituents SR (1a: R = n-C₈H₁₇, 1b: R = n-C₁₂H₂₅), which serve as headgroups for surface binding and promote lateral assembly, while the disk-like phthalocyaninato core offers the scope for the attachment of axial ligands to the adsorbed molecules. This process was mimicked by coordination of pyridine (Py) to [Zn(1a)] and [Zn(1b)], respectively. The crystal structures of the products [Zn(1a)(Py)] and [Zn(1b)(Py)] were determined. The crystal structures of 4,5-bis(octylthio)phthalodinitrile and 4,5-bis(dodecylthio)phthalodinitrile were also determined. The films fabricated from [Mn(1a)Cl] and [Mn(1b)Cl] on gold were characterised by XPS, ToF-SIMS and NEXAFS spectroscopy, which revealed the presence of well-defined and homogeneous self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), whose constituents are bound to the substrate by thioether-gold linkages. The orientation of the macrocycles is predominantly parallel to the surface. Strong electronic interaction of the manganese(III) centre with the substrate leads to Cl loss upon adsorption and its reduction to Mn^II.     

Nano-sized titanium(IV) ternary and quaternary complexes with electron-rich oxygen-based bidentate ligands

Some novel ternary and quaternary complexes of titanium(IV) of general formula [Ti(acac)Cl_3−n(OOCR)_n] (R = C₁₅H₃₁ or C₁₇H₃₅ and n = 1-3) have been synthesized by stepwise substitution of chloride ions of [Ti(acac)Cl₃] by straight chain carboxylic acid anions. The complexes are characterized by their elemental analyses, spectral (infrared, FAB mass, ¹H NMR and powder XRD) studies, molecular weight determination and molar conductance measurements. Infrared spectra suggested bidentate chelating nature of both acetylacetonate and carboxylate anions in the complexes. Monomeric nature of the complexes was confirmed by their molecular weight determination and FAB mass spectra. Molar conductance values indicated the complexes to be non-electrolytes in DMF. The complexes exhibited high resistance to hydrolysis. Their powder XRD data indicated the nano-size for the complexes. The coordination number of titanium(IV) in these complexes were found to be six, seven and eight which has been discussed in detail.     

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of zirconium complex containing amidinate, guanidinate and amide ligand sets

A new zirconium complex containing amidinate, guanidinate and amide ligand sets with formula Zr[(CyN)₂CMe][(CyN)₂CNMe₂](NMe₂)₂ (1) (Cy = cyclohexyl) was synthesized by the insertion of the 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide moiety into the bond of zirconium and dimethylamido group. Characterization of the complex 1 was achieved using elemental analysis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The molecular structure of the complex 1 revealed that the coordination geometry around the zirconium is a distorted pseudo-octahedron. The metal center is surrounded by the four nitrogen atoms of two bidentate amidinate and guanidinate ligands positioned cis to each other and two cis-NMe₂ groups.     

Synthesis and characterization of pure cubic zirconium oxide nanocrystals by decomposition of bis-aqua, tris-acetylacetonato zirconium(IV) nitrate as new precursor complex

Pure zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) nanocrystals with diameters 10-30 nm are fabricated from bis-aqua, tris-acetylacetonato zirconium(IV) nitrate; [Zr(acac)₃(H₂O)₂](NO₃); by thermal decomposition. The different combinations of oleylamine, or polyethyleneglycol (PEG) and triphenylphosphine, were added as surfactants to control the particle size. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to depict the phase and morphology. The synthesized ZrO₂ nanoparticles have a cubic structure. The FT-IR spectrum showed the purity of obtained ZrO₂ nanocrystals with cubic phase. The UV-Visible absorption peak for ZrO₂ was observed at 233 nm (5.3 eV in photon energy). The band at 363 nm for cubic ZrO₂ nanocrystals was found.