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Reactions of 2,6-(ArNCH)2C6H3Li with CrCl2(THF)2afford two trinuclear bis(imino)aryl NCN pincer Cr(II) complexes {[2,6-(ArNCH)2C6H3]Cr(μ-Cl)2}2Cr [Ar = 2,6-Me2C6H3(1a), 2,6-Et2C6H3(1b)], and a mononuclear bis(imino)aryl NCN pincer Cr(II) complex [2,6-(ArNCH)2C6H3]Cr(μ-Cl)2Li(THF)2[Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3(1c)], respectively. Similar reactions of 2,6-(ArNCH)2C6H3Li with CrCl3(THF)3produce only mononuclear bis(imino)aryl NCN pincer Cr(III) complexes [2,6-(ArNCH)2C6H3]CrCl2(THF) [Ar = 2,6-Me2C6H3(2a), 2,6-Et2C6H3(2b), 2,6-iPr2C6H3(2c)]. X-ray crystallographic analysis reveals that the terminal Cr(II) atoms in 1aand 1band the Cr(II) atom in 1cpossess a distorted trigonal bipyramidal coordination environment with the Cipsoatom of the pincer ligand and two chloride atoms in the equator and the two imine nitrogen atoms in the apical positions, while the Cr(III) complexes 2a, 2b, and 2call adopt a distorted octahedral geometry around the chromium metal. Upon activation with trialkylaluminum and [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4]−, the Cr(III) complexes show high catalytic activity for isoprene polymerization and afford polyisoprene with predominately trans-1,4 units, whereas the Cr(II) complexes are inert under the same conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactions of 2,6-(ArNCH)2C6H3Li with AlEt2Cl afford a number of NCN pincer aluminum complexes (2,6-(ArNCH)2C6H3)AlEt2(Ar = Ph (1), 2,6-Me2C6H3(2), 2,6-Et2C6H3(3), 2,6-iPr2C6H3(4)). Similar reactions of 2,6-(ArNCH)2C6H3Li with ZnEtCl produce bisligated zinc complexes (2,6-(ArNCH)2C6H3)2Zn (Ar = Ph (5), 2,6-Me2C6H3(6), 2,6-Et2C6H3(7)) and monoligated NCN pincer zinc complex (2,6-(ArNCH)2C6H3)ZnEt (Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3(8)). All complexes were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, and the molecular structures of complexes 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8were determined by X-ray crystallography. The X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that both complexes 3and 4adopt a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry around the aluminum central metal with three carbon atoms in the equator and the two imine nitrogen atoms in the apical positions. Complexes 6and 7adopt a distorted tetrahedral geometry around their zinc metal centers, while complex 8adopts a square-planar geometry around its metal center. All these Al and Zn complexes are efficient initiators for l-lactide ring-opening polymerization in the presence of benzyl alcohol, and the polymerization reaction takes place in an immortal manner. The productivity of the Zn complexes is generally higher than that of the Al complexes under similar conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tridentate ligand N-(2-((2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)methyl)phenyl)quinolin-8-amine ( HL) was prepared. Treatment of HLwith 1 equiv of Ln(CH 2SiMe 3) 3(THF) 2afforded the corresponding rare-earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes LLn(CH 2SiMe 3) 2(THF) n(Ln = Sc, n= 0 ( 1); Y, n= 1 ( 2); Lu, n= 0 ( 3)) in high yields. Variable-temperature 1H NMR spectral analysis showed that these complexes were fluxional at room temperature. Complexes 1and 3were THF-free, where the metal center adopted a square-pyramidal geometry, while in 2the metal center generated a distorted octahedral geometry owing to the coordination of a THF molecule. All these complexes catalyzed the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone with high activities in living fashion, among which the Lu complex was proved to be more active than its Sc and Y analogues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of new rare-earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes [L1−3Ln(CH2SiMe3)2(THF)n] (L1= MeC4H2SCH2NC6H4(Ph)2PNC6H2Me3-2,4,6: Ln = Sc, n= 1 (1a); Ln = Lu, n= 1 (1b); L2= MeC4H2SCH2NC6H4(Ph)2PNC6H3Et2-2,6: Ln = Sc, n= 1 (2a); Ln = Lu, n= 1 (2b); Ln = Y, n= 1 (2c); L3= MeC4H2SCH2NC6H4(Ph)2PNC6H3iPr2-2,6: Ln = Sc, n= 0 (3a)) and L4Sc(CH2SiMe3)2(THF) (4a) (L4= C6H5CH2NC6H4(Ph)2PNC6H3Et2-2,6) have been prepared by reaction of rare-earth metal tris(alkyl)s with the corresponding HL1−4ligands via alkane elimination. Complexes 1a, 1b, 2a−2c, and 4aare monomeric with a coordinating THF molecule. Each metal ion is coordinated by a NPN ligand, two trans-located alkyl groups, and a THF molecule, forming a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry. Complex 3ais THF-free, adopting a distorted tetrahedron geometry. In combination with AlR3and borate, these complexes have shown medium activity and good trans-1,4 selectivity for the polymerization of butadiene. The resultant polymer has moderate molecular weight (Mn= 10 000−18 000) with narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn< 1.6) and trans-1,4 regularity varying from 49.2% up to 91.3%. The catalyst performances are strongly dependent on the orthosubstituent of the N-aryl ring and the presence of the thiophene moiety of the ligands and the type of aluminum alkyls and the lanthanide metal used. The scandium complex 2adisplays the highest trans-1,4 selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]