Development of Heterobimetallic Al/Mg Complexes for the Very Rapid Ring-Opening Polymerization of Lactides.

The successful architecture of active catalytic species with enhanced efficiencies is critical for the optimal exploitation of sustainable resources in industrially demanded processes. In this work, we describe the preparation of novel helical heterobimetallic Al/Mg-based complexes of the type [AlMe2(pbpamd-)MgR{κ1-O-(OC4H8O)}] [R = Et (1a), tBu (2a)] as potential catalysts. The design was performed through the sequential addition of the Al fragment to the ligand, followed by the Mg platform, resulting in a planar π-C2N2(sp2)-Al/Mg bridging core between metals. The new heterobimetallic species have been unambiguously characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis. NOESY, DOSY, and EXSY NMR studies as well as density functional theory calculations corroborate both a rearrangement in solution to scorpionate complexes containing an unprecedented apical carbanion with a direct σ-C(sp3)-Al covalent bond named [{Mg(R)(pbpamd-) Al(Me)2}] [R = Et (1b), tBu (2b)] and an interconversion equilibrium between both isomers. We verified their utility and high efficiency as catalysts in the well-controlled ring-opening polymerization of the biorenewable l- and rac-lactide (LA) at 23 °C, reaching a remarkable turnover frequency value close to 25000 h-1 for rac-LA at this temperature and exerting a significant level of heteroselectivity (Pr = 0.80). Very interestingly, the kinetics demonstrate apparent first-order with respect to the catalyst and LA, which supports a synergic intramolecular cooperation between centers with electronic modulation among them.

Very efficient organo-zinc scorpionates for CO2 fixation into a variety of cyclic carbonates: synthesis, coordination ability and catalytic studies.

The fixation of CO2 mediated by metal-based catalysts for the production of organic molecules of industrial interest such as cyclic carbonates is urgently required under green and eco-friendly conditions. Herein, we describe the easy preparation of sterically demanding scorpionate ligands bearing different electron-withdrawing groups, and their coordination ability for the preparation of robust zinc-based mononuclear complexes of the type [ZnMe(κ3-NNN')] (4-6). These complexes, in combination with co-catalysts comprising larger ionic radius-based halides such as tetra-n-butylammonium, functioned as very active and selective catalysts for CO2 fixation into five-membered cyclic carbonates. These studies have led to the development of sustainable, inexpensive, and low-toxicity systems formed by 4-5 and Bu4NBr for the cycloaddition of CO2 into epoxides under very mild and solvent-free conditions, reaching very good to excellent conversions (TOF = 260 h-1). Moreover, these bicomponent systems show a broad substrate scope and functional group tolerance, including mono- and di-substituted epoxides, as well as bio-renewable diepoxides. Very interestingly, these are the first zinc-based systems reported to date for the successful transformation of the very challenging tri-substituted terpene-derived cis/trans-limonene oxide, whose reaction proceeds with high stereoselectivity to the formation of the bicyclic trans-limonene carbonate. Additionally, these bicomponents can be efficiently used up to six times without significant loss of activity. Kinetic investigations confirmed that the reaction shows an apparent first-order dependence on the catalyst and co-catalyst concentrations, which indicates an intramolecular monometallic mechanism.

Synthesis of Nonisocyanate Poly(hydroxy)urethanes from Bis(cyclic carbonates) and Polyamines.

Nonisocyanate polyurethane materials with pending alcohol groups in the polymeric chain were synthesized by polyaddition reaction of bis(cyclic carbonates) onto diamines. For the platform molecule, 1,4-butanediol bis(glycidyl ether carbonate) (BGBC, 1) was used. The polyaddition reaction of 1 onto a wide range of diamines with different electronic and physical properties was explored. All PHUs were obtained quantitatively after 16 h at 80 °C temperature in MeCN as solvent. The low nucleophilicity of L-lysine has proven unable to ring-open the cyclic carbonate and, thus, no reaction occurred. The addition of DBU or TBD as the catalyst was tested and allows the obtention of the desired PHU. However, the presence of strong bases also led to the formation of polyurea fragments in the new PHU. The different poly(hydroxyurethane) materials were characterized using a wide range of spectroscopic techniques such as NMR, IR, MALDI-ToF, and using GPC studies. The thermal properties of the NIPUs were investigated by DSC and TGA analyses. Moreover, reactions employing different monomer ratios were performed, obtaining novel hydroxycarbamate compounds. Finally, sequential and one-pot experiments were also carried out to synthesize the PHUs polymers in one-step reaction.

Efficient Bulky Organo-Zinc Scorpionates for the Stereoselective Production of Poly(rac-lactide)s.

The direct reaction of the highly sterically demanding acetamidinate-based NNN'-scorpionate protioligand Hphbptamd [Hphbptamd = N,N'-di-p-tolylbis(3,5-di-tertbutylpyrazole-1-yl)acetamidine] with one equiv. of ZnMe2 proceeds in high yield to the mononuclear alkyl zinc complex [ZnMe(κ3-phbptamd)] (1). Alternatively, the treatment of the corresponding lithium precursor [Li(phbptamd)(THF)] with ZnCl2 yielded the halide complex [ZnCl(κ3-phbptamd)] (2). The X-ray crystal structure of 1 confirmed unambiguously a mononuclear entity in these complexes, with the zinc centre arranged with a pseudotetrahedral environment and the scorpionate ligand in a κ3-coordination mode. Interestingly, the inexpensive, low-toxic and easily prepared complexes 1 and 2 resulted in highly efficient catalysts for the ring-opening polymerisation of lactides, a sustainable bio-resourced process industrially demanded. Thus, complex 1 behaved as a single-component robust initiator for the living and immortal ROP of rac-lactide under very mild conditions after a few hours, reaching a TOF value up to 5520 h-1 under bulk conditions. Preliminary kinetic studies revealed apparent zero-order dependence on monomer concentration in the absence of a cocatalyst. The PLA materials produced exhibited narrow dispersity values, good agreement between the experimental Mn values and monomer/benzyl alcohol ratios, as well as enhanced levels of heteroselectivity, reaching Ps values up to 0.74.

Ring-Opening Copolymerization of Cyclohexene Oxide and Cyclic Anhydrides Catalyzed by Bimetallic Scorpionate Zinc Catalysts.

The catalytic activity and high selectivity reported by bimetallic heteroscorpionate acetate zinc complexes in ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP) reactions involving CO2 as substrate encouraged us to expand their use as catalysts for ROCOP of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and cyclic anhydrides. Among the catalysts tested for the ROCOP of CHO and phthalic anhydride at different reaction conditions, the most active catalytic system was the combination of complex 3 with bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium as cocatalyst in toluene at 80 °C. Once the optimal catalytic system was determined, the scope in terms of other cyclic anhydrides was broadened. The catalytic system was capable of copolymerizing selectively and efficiently CHO with phthalic, maleic, succinic and naphthalic anhydrides to afford the corresponding polyester materials. The polyesters obtained were characterized by spectroscopic, spectrometric, and calorimetric techniques. Finally, the reaction mechanism of the catalytic system was proposed based on stoichiometric reactions.

Efficient Production of Poly(Cyclohexene Carbonate) via ROCOP of Cyclohexene Oxide and CO2 Mediated by NNO-Scorpionate Zinc Complexes.

New mono- and dinuclear chiral alkoxide/thioalkoxide NNO-scorpinate zinc complexes were easily synthesized in very high yields, and characterized by spectroscopic methods. X-ray diffraction analysis unambiguously confirmed the different nuclearity of the new complexes as well as the variety of coordination modes of the scorpionate ligands. Scorpionate zinc complexes 2, 4 and 6 were assessed as catalysts for polycarbonate production from epoxide and carbon dioxide with no need for a co-catalyst or activator under mild conditions. Interestingly, at 70 °C, 10 bar of CO2 pressure and 1 mol % of loading, the dinuclear thioaryloxide [Zn(bpzaepe)2{Zn(SAr)2}] (4) behaves as an efficient and selective one-component initiator for the synthesis of poly(cyclohexene carbonate) via ring-opening copolymerization of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and CO2, affording polycarbonate materials with narrow dispersity values.

NNC-Scorpionate Zirconium-Based Bicomponent Systems for the Efficient CO2 Fixation into a Variety of Cyclic Carbonates.

Two new derivatives of the bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methane modified by introduction of organosilyl groups on the central carbon atom, one of which bearing a chiral fragment, have been easily prepared. We verified the potential utility of these compounds through the reaction with [Zr(NMe2)4] for the preparation of novel zirconium complexes in which an ancillary bis(pyrazol-1-yl)methanide acts as a robust monoanionic tridentate scorpionate in a κ3-NNC chelating mode, forming strained four-membered heterometallacycles. These κ3-NNC-scorpionate zirconium amides were investigated as catalysts in combination with tetra-n-butylammonium bromide as cocatalyst for CO2 fixation into five-membered cyclic carbonate products. The study has led to the development of an efficient zirconium-based bicomponent system for the selective cycloaddition reaction of CO2 with epoxides. Kinetics investigations confirmed apparent first-order dependence on the catalyst and cocatalyst concentrations. In addition, this system displays very broad substrate scope, including mono- and disubstituted substrates, as well as the challenging biorenewable terpene derived limonene oxide, under mild and solvent-free conditions.

Synthesis of an enantiopure scorpionate ligand by a nucleophilic addition to a ketenimine and a zinc initiator for the isoselective ROP of rac-lactide.

A novel nucleophilic addition of an organolithium to a ketenimine to prepare an enantiopure NNN-heteroscorpionate ligand is described. We verified its potential utility as a valuable scaffold for chirality induction through the preparation of enantiopure zinc complexes, which behave as highly efficient initiators to produce highly-enriched isotactic poly(lactide)s (Pi up to 0.88).

Efficient CO2 fixation into cyclic carbonates catalyzed by NNO-scorpionate zinc complexes.

A series of new chiral zwitterionic NNO-scorpionate mononuclear zinc alkyls [Zn(R)(κ3-NNO)]Br was developed in very high yields via suitable quaternization in the scorpionate ligand. These zwitterionic complexes performed as bifunctional catalysts and exhibited improved catalytic activity for the fixation of CO2 into cyclic carbonates compared to the neutral analog mononuclear [Zn(R)(κ3-NNO)] and binuclear [Zn(R)(κ2-NNµ-O)Zn(R)2] compounds. The catalyst system showed a broad substrate scope and functional group tolerance under mild and solvent-free conditions.

Organo-Aluminum and Zinc Acetamidinates: Preparation, Coordination Ability, and Ring-Opening Polymerization Processes of Cyclic Esters.

The reaction of the highly sterically demanding NNN'-heteroscorpionate protioligands pbptamd-H, tbptamd-H, and phbptamd-H (a) and the low sterically hindered analogs pbpamd-H, tbpamd-H, and phbpamd-H (b), with 1 equiv of AlR3 (R = Me, Et) proceed in high yields to give two families of complexes: the mononuclear dialkyl aluminum bidentate-acetamidinates [AlR2(κ2- N' N')] (κ2- N' N' = pbptamd, R = Me 1, Et 2; tbptamd, R = Me 3, Et 4; phbptamd, R = Me 5, Et 6) and the monodentate-acetamidinates [AlR2(κ2- NN')] (κ2- NN' = tbpamd, R = Me 7; phbpamd, R = Me 8, Et 9). In complexes 7-9, the presence of two possible CH-NH tautomers as low extended π-N-C-N'(sp2)-Al and high extended π-HN-C2-N'(sp2)-Al complexes, respectively, could be identified. Moreover, the reaction of aluminum dimethyls 7 and 8 with ZnMe2 afforded the isolation of the more stable scorpionate zinc monoalkyls [Zn(Me)(κ3- NNN')] ( NNN' = tbpamd 10 and phbpamd 11), through a very unusual ligand exchange process, involving a zinc-to-aluminum transmetalation of an alkyl group. The X-ray crystal structures of 1, 3, 7, and 8, as well as that of 11, confirmed unambiguously the different κ2-arrangements proposed for bi- or monodentate acetamidinate dialkyls 1-6 and 7-9, respectively, the presence of NH tautomer in 7 and 8, and a κ3- NNN' coordination in monoalkyl 11. Density functional theory calculations were used to explore the three different favored κ2-arrangements found in acetamidinate aluminum dialkyls 1-9, the relative stability of both CH-NH tautomers, and the ligand transfer reaction leading to the formation of κ3- NNN' zinc monoalkyls 10 and 11. Interestingly, dialkyls 1, 5, 7, and 8 can act as highly efficient single-component living initiators for the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone and rac-lactide in mild conditions after hours. These initiators efficiently mediated the immortal polymerization in the presence of excess of benzyl alcohol (up to 20 equiv), as evidenced by the narrow dispersity values and the good agreement between the experimental Mn values and monomer/benzyl alcohol ratios. In addition, the most sterically hindered initiator, 5, exhibits enhanced levels of heteroselectivity on the produced PLAs, reaching Ps values up to 0.70.

Mono- and binuclear chiral N,N,O-scorpionate zinc alkyls as efficient initiators for the ROP of rac-lactide.

The preparation of new chiral bis(pyrazol-1-yl)methane-based N,N,O-donor scorpionate ligands in the form of the alcohol compounds bpzampeH (1) {2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-1-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]ethanol}, bpzaepeH (2) {2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-1-[4-(diethylamino)phenyl]ethanol}, and bpzimeH (3) {2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-1-[1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl]ethanol} has been carried out by the 1,2-addition reactions of a series of aldehydes. These new chiral heteroscorpionate ligands reacted with [ZnR2] (R = Me, Et, CH2SiMe3) in a 1 : 1 molar ratio in toluene to give the mononuclear monoalkyl zinc complexes [Zn(R)(κ3-NNO)] (4-12). When these reactions were carried out in a 1 : 2 molar ratio the binuclear trisalkyls [Zn(R)(κ2-NNµ-O)Zn(R)2] (13-18) were obtained. The structures of these complexes were elucidated by 1H and 13C{1H} NMR spectroscopy and the X-ray crystal structures of 4 and 5 were also established. Interestingly, alkyl-containing zinc complexes 4-13, 15 and 17 act as efficient single-component initiators for the ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide at 20 °C to afford PLA materials with low molecular weights in a few hours. The dinuclear trisalkyls showed higher activity in comparison with the mononuclear zinc counterparts, suggesting a cooperative effect of the two remote metals. The narrow dispersity ranges (Mw/Mn = 1.05) of the isolated polymers in conjunction with the linear nature of the number average molecular weight versus conversion plot provided evidence for living behavior. Inspection of the kinetic parameters showed that the propagations have the usual pseudo-first-order dependence on rac-lactide and catalyst concentration. End-group analysis and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry confirmed that the initiation occurs through nucleophilic attack of the alkyl on the lactide monomer. Microstructural analysis of poly(rac-lactide)s revealed that the most sterically hindered ligand on the alkoxide fragment exerts a moderate influence on the degree of stereoselectivity, with heteroenriched-PLAs (Ps = 0.68) produced at room temperature.

Highly thermally stable and robust enantiopure zirconium NNN-scorpionates for the controlled ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide.

A series of enantiopure alkoxide and thioalkoxide zirconium derivatives [Zr(ER)3(κ3-R,R-fbpza)] (1-6) (E = O, R = CHMe21, CHMeEt 2, CH2SiMe33, 2,6-C6H3Me24, 4-tBuPh 5; E = S, R = 4-tBuPh 6) has been prepared for use as thermally stable and robust initiators in the ROP of rac-lactide. The compounds were prepared by alcoholysis or thioalcoholysis of the tris(amide) precursor [Zr(NMe2)3(κ3-R,R-fbpza)] [R,R-fbpzaH = N-p-fluorophenyl-(1R)-1-[(1R)-6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]-2-hepten-2-yl]-2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)ethylamine] with ROH and ArEH (E = O, S) in a 1 : 3 molar ratio. The structures of the different compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods and, in addition, the X-ray crystal structure of 6 was also established. Interestingly, the tris(amide) precursor and complexes 2, 5, and 6 act as single-site living initiators for the well-controlled ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide both in solution and in the melt. These processes produce polymers with medium molecular weights in good agreement with theoretical values and with narrow dispersity ranges. The activity of all initiators increased markedly with temperature and, more importantly, complex 2 exhibits the highest activity reported to date for a group 4-based initiator in the ROP of rac-LA under the industrially preferred melt and solvent-free conditions. Surprisingly, complex 2 is still highly active in the melt when using an unpurified monomer and it shows an unprecedented tolerance to water and impurities (49% conv., 15 min, 130 °C). Microstructural analysis of the poly(rac-lactide)s revealed a moderate heteroactivity in solution, with a Ps value of up to 0.70.

Enantiopure N,N,O-scorpionate zinc amide and chloride complexes as efficient initiators for the heteroselective ROP of cyclic esters.

The reaction of bpzbeH, bpzteH (racemic mixture) or (R,R)-bpzmmH (enantiopure) with the amide complexes Zn{N(SiMe3)2}2 or Zn{N(SiHMe2)2}2 in 1 : 1 molar ratio in toluene afforded the mononuclear amide zinc complexes [Zn(NR2)(κ(3)-NNO)] (1-6) [κ(3)-NNO = bpzbe, R = SiMe3 1, SiHMe2 2; bpzte, R = SiMe3 3, SiHMe2 4; (R,R)-bpzmm, SiMe3 5, SiHMe2 6]. These complexes were employed in a protonolysis reaction with HCl-Et2O in 2 : 1 molar ratio to yield the dinuclear amide/chloride zinc complexes [Zn(κ(2)-NN-µ-O)2{ZnCl(NR2)}] (7-12) [κ(2)-NN-µ-O = bpzbe, R = SiMe3 7, SiHMe2 8; bpzte, R = SiMe3 9, SiHMe2 10; (R,R)-bpzmm, SiMe3 11, SiHMe2 12]. The mononuclear complexes 5 and 6 and dinuclear complexes 11 and 12 are the first enantiopure-scorpionate zinc amide complexes to be synthesized. The single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of derivatives 1 and 3 confirmed a monomeric 4-coordinative structure in which the heteroscorpionate ligands are in a κ(3) coordination mode, while 8 had a dimeric molecular disposition with two µ-bridging alkoxides of the heteroscorpionate ligands between the two six- and four-coordinate Zn(II) centers. Interestingly, the chiral amide-containing zinc complexes 1-5 and 11 can act as single-component initiators for the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone and lactides under mild conditions, affording, in a few hours, medium/low molecular weight polymers with low polydispersity indices. MALDI-ToF mass spectra confirmed that the initiation occurred through a nucleophilic attack by the amide on the lactide monomer, and inspection of the kinetic parameters showed that propagations present the usual pseudo-first order dependence on monomer and catalyst concentrations. In addition, microstructural analysis of poly(rac-lactide)s revealed that the myrtenal substituent on the alkoxide fragment has a significant influence on the degree of stereoselectivity, producing enriched-heterotactic PLAs with a P(s) value of up to 0.79 under mild conditions.

Heteroscorpionate magnesium alkyls bearing unprecedented apical σ-C(sp3)-mg bonds: heteroselective ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide.

The previously described reaction of the low sterically hindered heteroscorpionate lithium acetamidinates [Li(κ(3)-pbpamd)(THF)] and [Li(κ(3)-tbpamd)(THF)] with a series of commercially available Grignard reagents RMgCl in an equimolecular ratio yielded the magnesium monoalkyls [Mg(R)(κ(3)-NNN)] (NNN = pbpamd, R = CH2SiMe3, Et (1), Bn (2); NNN = tbpamd, R = CH2SiMe3, Et (3), Bn (4)). However, subsequent reaction of these monoalkyls [Mg(R)(κ(3)-NNN)] with two additional equivalents of the same RMgCl in tetrahydrofuran gave rise to dinuclear dialkyls of the type [RMg(κ(3)-N,N,N;κ(2)-C,N)MgR(thf)] (κ(3)-N,N,N;κ(2)-C,N = pbpamd(-), R = CH2SiMe3 (5), Et (6); κ(3)-N,N,N;κ(2)-C,N = tbpamd(-), R = CH2SiMe3 (7), Et (8)). Furthermore, when the reaction was carried out in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran/dioxane with the same stoichiometry, a new family of tetranuclear tetraalkyl magnesium complexes [{RMg(κ(3)-N,N,N;κ(2)-C,N)MgR}2{µ-O,O-(C4H8)}] (κ(3)-N,N,N;κ(2)-C,N = pbpamd(-), R = CH2SiMe3 (9), Et (10), Bn (11); κ(3)-N,N,N;κ(2)-C,N = tbpamd(-), R = CH2SiMe3 (12), Et (13), Bn (14)) was obtained. In both families, an apical methine C-H activation process on the heteroscorpionate takes place. The single-crystal X-ray structures of 4, 8, 9, and 12 confirm the nuclearity of each family, with 4-coordinative arrangements for all magnesium atoms. More importantly, the presence in the di- and tetranuclear complexes of unprecedented apical carbanions with a direct σ-C(sp(3))-Mg covalent bond, and as a result, the existence of stereogenic magnesium centers, have been unambiguously confirmed. Interestingly, the dinuclear dialkyls 5 and 7, as well as the tetranuclear tetraalkyls 9, 10, and 12, can act as highly efficient single-component living initiators for the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone and lactides. Lactide (LA) polymerizations afforded polylactide (PLA) materials with medium molecular weights in only a few minutes even at 20 °C for L-LA and in a few hours at 50 °C for rac-LA propagations. More importantly, microstructural analysis of the poly(rac-lactide) materials revealed that the tetranuclear tetra-alkyl 12 exerts enhanced levels of heteroselectivity on the PLAs under mild conditions, with Ps values up to 0.78.

Hybrid scorpionate/cyclopentadienyl magnesium and zinc complexes: synthesis, coordination chemistry, and ring-opening polymerization studies on cyclic esters.

The reaction of the hybrid scorpionate/cyclopentadienyl lithium salt [Li(bpzcp)(THF)] [bpzcp = 2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-1,1-diphenylethylcyclopentadienyl] with 1 equiv of RMgCl proceeds cleanly to give very high yields of the corresponding monoalkyl kappa(2)-NN-eta(5)-C(5)H(4) magnesium complexes [Mg(R)(kappa(2)-eta(5)-bpzcp)] (R = Me 1, Et 2, (n)Bu 3, (t)Bu 4, CH(2)SiMe(3) 5, CH(2)Ph 6). Hydrolysis of the hybrid lithium salt [Li(bpzcp)(THF)] with NH(4)Cl/H(2)O in ether cleanly affords the two previously described regioisomers: (bpzcpH) 1-[2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-1,1-diphenylethyl]-1,3-cyclopentadiene (a) and 2-[2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-1,1-diphenylethyl]-1,3-cyclopentadiene (b). Subsequent reaction of the bpzcpH hybrid ligand with ZnR(2) quantitatively yields the monoalkyl kappa(2)-NN-eta(1)(pi)-C(5)H(4) zinc complexes [Zn(R){kappa(2)-eta(1)(pi)-bpzcp}] (R = Me 7, Et 8, (t)Bu 9, CH(2)SiMe(3) 10). Additionally, magnesium alkyls 1, 2, 4, and 5 can act as excellent cyclopentadienyl and alkyl transfers to the zinc metal center and yield zinc alkyls 7-10 in good yields. The single-crystal X-ray structures of the derivatives 4, 5, 7, and 10 confirm a 4-coordinative structure with the metal center in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. Interestingly, whereas alkyl magnesium derivatives 4 and 5 present a eta(5) coordination mode for the cyclopentadienyl fragment, zinc derivatives 7 and 10 feature a peripheral eta(1)(pi) arrangement in the solid state. Furthermore, the reaction of the hybrid lithium salt [Li(bpzcp)(THF)] with 1 equiv of ZnCl(2) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) affords very high yields of the chloride complex [ZnCl{kappa(2)-eta(1)(pi)-bpzcp}] (11). Compound 11 was used as a convenient starting material for the synthesis of the aromatic amide zinc compound [Zn(NH-4-MeC(6)H(4)){kappa(2)-eta(1)(pi)-bpzcp}] (12), by reaction with the corresponding aromatic primary amide lithium salt. Alternatively, aliphatic amide and alkoxide derivatives were only accessible by protonolysis of the bis(amide) complexes [M{N(SiMe(3))(2)}(2)] (M = Mg, Zn) and the mixed ligand complex [EtZnOAr)] with the hybrid ligand bpzcpH to afford [Zn(R){kappa(2)-eta(1)(pi)-bpzcp}] (R = N(SiMe(3))(2) 13, R = 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2)O 14) and [Mg{N(SiMe(3))(2)}(kappa(2)-eta(5)-bpzcp)] (15). Finally, alkyl and alkoxide-containing complexes 1-10 and 14 can act as highly effective single-component living initiators for the ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone and lactides over a wide range of temperatures. Epsilon-caprolactone is polymerized within minutes to give high molecular weight polymers with medium-broad polydispersities (M(n) > 10(5), M(w)/M(n) = 1.45). Lactide afforded poly(lactide) materials with medium molecular weights and polydispersities as narrow as M(w)/M(n) = 1.02. Additionally, polymerization of L-lactide occurred without racemization in the propagation process and offered highly crystalline, isotactic poly(L-lactides) with very high melting temperatures (T(m) = 165 degrees C). Microstructural analysis of poly(rac-lactide) by (1)H NMR spectroscopy revealed that propagations occur without appreciable levels of stereoselectivity. Polymer end group analysis showed that the polymerization process is initiated by alkyl transfer to the monomer.

Synthesis, structures and ring-opening polymerization studies of new zinc chloride and amide complexes supported by amidinate heteroscorpionate ligands.

The reaction of the heteroscorpionate lithium salts [Li(pbpamd)(THF)] [pbpamd = N,N'-diisopropylbis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetamidinate] and [Li(tbpamd)(THF)] [tbpamd = N-ethyl-N'-tert-butylbis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetamidinate] with 1 equivalent of ZnCl2 in THF affords very high yields of the neutral heteroscorpionate chloride zinc complexes [ZnCl(NNN)] (NNN = pbpamd 1 and tbpamd 2). Compound 1 was used as a convenient starting material for the synthesis of aromatic amide zinc compounds [Zn(NHAr)(pbpamd)], where NHAr = 4-methylphenylamide (NH-4-MeC6H4) 3, 2,4,6-trimethylphenylamide (NH-2,4,6-Me3C6H2) 4 and 2,6-diethylphenylamide (NH-2,6-Et2C6H3) 5, by the reaction of the corresponding aromatic primary amide lithium salts. Alternatively, aliphatic amide derivatives [Zn(NR2)(pbpamd)] (R = SiMe3 6, SiHMe2 7 and iPr 8) were cleanly prepared by reacting the amidine-heteroscorpionate compound Hpbpamd with the corresponding bis(amide) zinc complexes [Zn(NR2)2] (R = SiMe3, SiHMe2 and iPr). The single-crystal X-ray structures of complexes 2, 3 and 6 confirm a 4-coordinate arrangement in all cases, with the zinc metal surrounded in a distorted tetrahedral geometry and the heteroscorpionate ligands arranged in a kappa3 coordination mode. Whereas aliphatic amide heteroscorpionates 6-8 can act as efficient single-component initiators for the ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone at room temperature, aromatic amide derivatives were not capable of yielding polymers even at high temperature. Epsilon-caprolactone is polymerized within minutes to give medium-high molecular weight polymers under mild conditions and with narrow polydispersities (M(w)/M(n) = 1.26). Polymer end group analysis shows that the polymerization mediated by aliphatic amide zinc complexes is initiated by amide transfer to the monomer.

On the search for NNO-donor enantiopure scorpionate ligands and their coordination to group 4 metals.

The preparation of new chiral bis(pyrazol-1-yl)methane-based NNO-donor scorpionate ligands in the form of the lithium derivatives [Li(bpzb)(THF)] [1; bpzb = 1,1-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-2-butoxide] and [Li(bpzte)(THF)] [2; bpzte = 2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-1-p-tolylethoxide] or the alcohol ligands (bpzbH) (3) and (bpzteH) (4) has been carried out by 1,2-addition reactions with trimethylacetaldehyde or p-tolualdehyde. The separation of a racemic mixture of the alcohol ligand 3 has been achieved and gave an enantiopure NNO alcohol-scorpionate ligand in three synthetic steps: (i) 1,2-addition of the appropriate lithium derivative to trimethylacetaldehyde, (ii) esterification and separation of diastereoisomers 5, (iii) saponification. Subsequently, the enantiopure scorpionate ligand (R,R)-bpzmmH {6; R,R-bpzmmH = (1R)-1-[(1R)-6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]2-hepten-2-yl]-2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)ethanol} was obtained with an excellent diastereomeric excess (>99% de) in a one-pot process utilizing the aldehyde (1R)-(-)-myrtenal as a chiral substrate to control the stereochemistry of the newly created asymmetric center. These new chiral heteroscorpionate ligands reacted with [MX(4)] (M = Ti, Zr; X = NMe(2), O(i)Pr, OEt, O(t)Bu) in a 1:1 molar ratio in toluene to give, after the appropriate workup, the complexes [MX(3)(kappa(3)-NNO)] (7-18). The reaction of Me(3)SiCl with [Ti(NMe(2))(3)(bpzb)] (7) or [Ti(NMe(2))(3)(R,R-bpzmm)] (11) in different molar ratios gave the halide-amide-containing complexes [TiCl(NMe(2))(2)(kappa(3)-NNO)] (19 and 20) and [TiCl(2)(NMe(2))(kappa(3)-NNO)] (21 and 22) and the halide complex [TiCl(3)(kappa(3)-NNO)] (23 and 24). The latter complexes can also be obtained by reaction of the lithium compound 1 with TiCl(4)(THF)(2) and deprotonation of the alcohol group of 6 with NaH, followed by reaction with TiCl(4)(THF)(2) in a 1:1 molar ratio, respectively. Isolation of only one of the three possible diastereoisomers of the complexes 19 and 22 revealed that chiral induction from the ligand to the titanium center took place. The structures of these complexes were elucidated by (1)H and (13)C{(1)H} NMR spectroscopy, and the X-ray crystal structures of 3-7, 12, and 24 were also established. Finally, we evaluated the influence that the chiral center of the new heteroscorpionate complexes has on the enantioselectivity of the asymmetric epoxidation of allylic alcohols.