Unearthing a Well-Defined Highly Active Bimetallic W/Ti Precatalyst Anchored on a Single Silica Surface for Metathesis of Propane.

Two compatible organometallic complexes, W(Me)6 (1) and TiNp4 (2), were successively anchored on a highly dehydroxylated single silica support (SiO2-700) to synthesize the well-defined bimetallic precatalyst [(≡Si-O-)W(Me)5(≡Si-O-)Ti(Np)3] (4). Precatalyst 4 was characterized at the molecular level using advanced surface organometallic chemistry (SOMC) characterization techniques. The strong autocorrelation observed between methyl of W and Ti in 1H-1H multiple-quantum NMR spectra demonstrates that W and Ti species are in close proximity to each other. The bimetallic precatalyst 4, with a turnover number (TON) of 9784, proved to be significantly more efficient than the silica-supported monometallic catalyst [(≡Si-O-)W(Me)5] (3), with a TON of 98, for propane metathesis at 150 °C in a flow reactor. The dramatic improvement in the activity signifies the cooperativity between Ti and W and indicates that the key step of alkane metathesis (C-H bond activation followed by ß-H elimination) occurs on Ti, followed by olefin metathesis, which occurs on W. We have demonstrated the influence and importance of proximity of Ti to W for achieving such a significantly high activity. This is the first report demonstrating the considerably high activity (TON = 9784) in propane metathesis at moderate temperature (150 °C) using a well-defined bimetallic system prepared via the SOMC approach.

Synergy between Two Metal Catalysts: A Highly Active Silica-Supported Bimetallic W/Zr Catalyst for Metathesis of n-Decane.

A well-defined, silica-supported bimetallic precatalyst [≡Si-O-W(Me)5≡Si-O-Zr(Np)3] (4) has been synthesized for the first time by successively grafting two organometallic complexes [W(Me)6 (1) followed by ZrNp4 (2)] on a single silica support. Surprisingly, multiple-quantum NMR characterization demonstrates that W and Zr species are in close proximity to each other. Hydrogenation of this bimetallic catalyst at room temperature showed the easy formation of zirconium hydride, probably facilitated by tungsten hydride which was formed at this temperature. This bimetallic W/Zr hydride precatalyst proved to be more efficient (TON = 1436) than the monometallic W hydride (TON = 650) in the metathesis of n-decane at 150 °C. This synergy between Zr and W suggests that the slow step of alkane metathesis is the C-H bond activation that occurs on Zr. The produced olefin resulting from a ß-H elimination undergoes easy metathesis on W.

Evidence for metal-surface interactions and their role in stabilizing well-defined immobilized Ru-NHC alkene metathesis catalysts.

Secondary interactions are demonstrated to direct the stability of well-defined Ru-NHC-based heterogeneous alkene metathesis catalysts. By providing key stabilization of the active sites, higher catalytic performance is achieved. Specifically, they can be described as interactions between the metal center (active site) and the surface functionality of the support, and they have been detected by surface-enhanced (1)H-(29)Si NMR spectroscopy of the ligand and (31)P solid-state NMR of the catalyst precursor. They are present only when the metal center is attached to the surface via a flexible linker (a propyl group), which allows the active site to either react with the substrate or relax, reversibly, to the surface, thus providing stability. In contrast, the use of a rigid linker (here mesitylphenyl) leads to a well-defined active site far away from the surface, stabilized only by a phosphine ligand which under reaction conditions leaves probably irreversibly, leading to faster decomposition and deactivation of the catalysts.

Synthesis and characterization of a homogeneous and silica supported homoleptic cationic tungsten(vi) methyl complex: application in olefin metathesis.

A method for the synthesis of a homogeneous cationic tungsten(vi)pentamethyl complex [(WMe5)+(C6F5)3BMe-] from neutral tungstenhexamethyl (WMe6) and a silica supported cationic tungstentetramethyl complex [([triple bond, length as m-dash]Si-O-)WMe4+ (C6F5)3BMe-] from a neutral silica supported tungstenpentamethyl complex [([triple bond, length as m-dash]Si-O-)WMe5] is described. In both cases a direct demethylation using the B(C6F5)3 reagent was used. The aforesaid complexes were characterized by liquid or solid state NMR spectroscopy. Interestingly, the homogeneous cationic complex [(WMe5)+(C6F5)3BMe-] shows moderate activity whereas the supported cationic complex [([triple bond, length as m-dash]Si-O-)WMe4+(C6F5)3BMe-] exhibits good activity in olefin metathesis reactions.

Unsymmetrical Ru-NHC catalysts: a key for the selective tandem ring opening-ring closing alkene metathesis (RO-RCM) of cyclooctene.

Dissymmetry for selectivity: NHC ligand with two different pendant group allows the selective formation of cyclic oligomers in place of polymers opening new strategy to generate macrocycles.