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Various phosphinesulfonato ligands and the corresponding palladium complexes [{((P^O)PdMeCl)-μ-M}(n)] ([{((X)1-Cl)-μ-M}(n)], (P^O) = κ(2)-P,O-Ar(2)PC(6)H(4)SO(2)O) with symmetric (Ar = 2-MeOC(6)H(4), 2-CF(3)C(6)H(4), 2,6-(MeO)(2)C(6)H(3), 2,6-(iPrO)(2)C(6)H(3), 2-(2',6'-(MeO)(2)C(6)H(3))C(6)H(4)) and asymmetric substituted phosphorus atoms (Ar(1) = 2,6-(MeO)(2)C(6)H(3), Ar(2) = 2'-(2,6-(MeO)(2)C(6)H(3))C(6)H(4); Ar(1) = 2,6-(MeO)(2)C(6)H(3), Ar(2) = 2-cHexOC(6)H(4)) were synthesized. Analyses of molecular motions and dynamics by variable temperature NMR studies and line shape analysis were performed for the free ligands and the complexes. The highest barriers of ΔG(‡) = 44-64 kJ/mol were assigned to an aryl rotation process, and the flexibility of the ligand framework was found to be a key obstacle to a more effective stereocontrol. An increase of steric bulk at the aryl substituents raises the motional barriers but diminishes insertion rates and regioselectivity. The stereoselectivity of the first and the second methyl acrylate (MA) insertion into the Pd-Me bond of in situ generated complexes (X)1 was investigated by NMR and DFT methods. The substitution pattern of the ligand clearly affects the first MA insertion, resulting in a stereoselectivity of up to 6:1 for complexes with an asymmetric substituted phosphorus. In the consecutive insertion, the stereoselectivity is diminished in all cases. DFT analysis of the corresponding insertion transition states revealed that a selectivity for the first insertion with asymmetric (P^O) complexes is diminished in the consecutive insertions due to uncooperatively working enantiomorphic and chain end stereocontrol. From these observations, further concepts are developed.

Complexes [{(PwedgeO)PdMe}(n)] (1(n); PwedgeO = kappa(2)-P,O-Ar(2)PC(6)H(4)SO(2)O with Ar = 2-MeOC(6)H(4)) are a single-component precursor of the (PwedgeO)PdMe fragment devoid of additional coordinating ligands, which also promotes the catalytic oligomerization of acrylates. Exposure of 1(n) to methyl acrylate afforded the two diastereomeric chelate complexes [(PwedgeO)Pd{kappa(2)-C,O-CH(C(O)OMe)CH(2)CH(C(O)OMe)CH(2)CH(3)}] (3-meso and 3-rac) resulting from two consecutive 2,1-insertions of methyl acrylate into the Pd-Me bond with the same or opposite stereochemistry, respectively, in a 3:2 ratio as demonstrated by comprehensive NMR spectroscopic studies and single crystal X-ray diffraction. These six-membered chelate complexes are direct key models for intermediates of acrylate insertion polymerization, and also ethylene-acrylate copolymerization to high acrylate content copolymers. Studies of the binding of various substrates (pyridine, dmso, ethylene and methyl acrylate) to 3-meso and 3-rac show that hindered displacement of the chelating carbonyl moiety by pi-coordination of incoming monomer significantly retards, but does not prohibit, polymerization. For 3-meso,3-rac + C(2)H(4) right arrow over left arrow 3-meso-C(2)H(4,) 3-rac-C(2)H(4) an equilibrium constant K(353 K) approximately 2 x 10(-3) L mol(-1) was estimated. Reaction of 3-meso, 3-rac with methyl acrylate afforded higher insertion products [(PwedgeO)Pd(C(4)H(6)O(2))(n)Me] (n = 3, 4) as observed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Theoretical studies by DFT methods of consecutive acrylate insertion provide relative energies of intermediates and transition states, which are consistent with the aforementioned experimental observations, and give detailed insights to the pathways of multiple consecutive acrylate insertions. Acrylate insertion into 3-meso,3-rac is associated with an overall energy barrier of ca. 100 kJ mol(-1).