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The synthesis and characterization of new zirconium permethylpentalene (form)amidinate complexes are described: Pn*Zr{N(Dipp)2CH}Cl (1), Pn* = η8-C8Me6 and Dipp = 2,6-iPr-C6H3; [Pn*Zr{N(p-tol)2CH}Cl]2 (2), p-tol = 4-Me-C6H4; [Pn*Zr{N(iPr)2CMe}Cl]2 (3); Pn*Zr{N(iPr)2CPh}Cl (4); Pn*Zr{N(4-Me-C6H4)2CH}2 (5); [Pn*Zr{N(iPr)2CCH2}]2 (6); and Pn*Zr{N(iPr)2CPh}(O-2,6,-Me-C6H3) (7). The monohalide derivatives 1–4 demonstrate considerable structural diversity as the nature of the (form)amidinate-supporting ligand is changed. While complexes with acidic backbone protons proved susceptible to deprotonation using mild bases, those without underwent straightforward salt metathesis reactions with alkali metal salts, leading to complexes [Pn*Zr{N(iPr)2CCH2}]2 (6) and Pn*Zr{N(iPr)2CPh}(O-2,6-Me-C6H3) (7). Preliminary slurry-phase ethylene polymerization studies are also reported using complexes 2, 4, 5, and 7 to gain a direct comparison to the highly active, yet electronically saturated, Pn*Zr(CpR)Cl catalyst family.

The synthesis and characterization of group 4 permethylpentalene (Pn* = C8Me6) hydride complexes are explored; in all cases, multimetallic hydride clusters were obtained. Group 4 lithium metal hydride clusters were obtained when reacting the metal dihalides with hydride transfer reagents such as LiAlH4, and these species featured an unusual hexagonal bipyramidal structural motif. Only the zirconium analogue was found to undergo hydride exchange in the presence of deuterium. In contrast, a trimetallic titanium hydride cluster was isolated on reaction of the titanium dialkyl with hydrogen. This diamagnetic, mixed valence species was characterized in the solid state, as well as by solution electron paramagnetic resonance and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The structure was further probed and corroborated by density functional theory calculations, which illustrated the formation of a metal-cluster bonding orbital responsible for the diamagnetism of the complex. These permethylpentalene hydride complexes have divergent structural motifs and reactivity in comparison with related classical cyclopentadienyl analogues.

Bimodal polyethylene is generated from a single immobilized catalyst on a single support under a single set of reaction conditions without introducing chain transfer agents. Using rac-ethylenebis(1-indenyl)zirconium dichloride [(EBI)ZrCl2] immobilized on a nickel-containing layered double hydroxide (LDH) support produces two distinct molecular weight distributions. The ratio of these two distinct fractions can be tuned by varying the LDH support as well as by changing the reaction conditions.

We report the synthesis and characterisation of new permethylpentalene zirconium bis(amido) and permethylpentalene zirconium cyclopentadienyl mono(amido) complexes, and their reactivity with carbon dioxide.

Three permethylindenyl zirconocenes have been supported on a hexane-insoluble form of polymethylaluminoxane modified with 40 wt % pentafluorophenol (sMAO(PFP)). The solid precatalysts were characterized by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and their ethylene polymerization activity was studied. When supported on sMAO(PFP), Me2SB(Cp,I*)ZrX2 ({(η5-C9Me6)Me2Si(η5-C5H4)}ZrX2; X = Cl, CH2Ph, and Me) showed ethylene polymerization activities up to 25% higher than when supported on unmodified sMAO with the same [Al]0/[Zr]0 catalyst loading: activities of 6454 and 5144 kgPE molZr–1 h–1 bar–1 at 80 °C for Me2SB(Cp,I*)ZrCl2 supported on sMAO(PFP) and sMAO, respectively. The systems produced relatively low-molecular weight polyethylenes (Mw < 170 kg mol–1 at 80 °C) with minimal defects and branching. The polymers showed good flowability, although they displayed more aggregated morphologies than polyethylenes produced from unmodified sMAO. On increasing the solvent volume fivefold, the activity and polymer molecular weights approximately doubled.

Solid polymethylaluminoxane (sMAO) supported ansa-bridged permethylindenyl zirconocenes Me2SB(CpR,I*)ZrX2 ({(η5-C9Me6)Me2Si(η5-C5H3R)}ZrX2; R = H, Me, and nBu; X = Cl, Br, Me, and CH2Ph) have been investigated as catalysts for the slurry-phase polymerization of ethylene in the presence of H2. The catalysts demonstrated remarkable stability to H2 both in a high-throughput screening system and in a 2 L batch reactor, with an almost constant ethylene uptake maintained throughout the polymerization runs. The catalysts demonstrated very high ethylene polymerization activities, almost 3 times higher than sMAO-(CpnBu)2ZrCl2 (industrial standard zirconocene catalyst) under the same conditions. The presence of small quantities of H2 (

A new family of group 4 permethylpentalene (C8Me62−; Pn*) aryloxide and alkoxide complexes have been synthesised and fully characterised by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction; (η8-C8Me6)Zr(OR)2(R =tBu (1), 2,6-Me-C6H3(2), 2,6-iPr-C6H3(3) and 4-OMe-C6H4(4)), (η8-C8Me6)Zr (OR) (R = 2,6-tBu-C6H3(5) and 2,6-tBu-4-Me-C6H2(6)), (η8-C8Me6)ZrCp(OR) (R =tBu (7), 2,6-Me-C6H3(8) and 2,6-iPr-C6H3(9)), (η8-C8Me6)TiCp(O-2,6-Me-C6H3) (10) and (η8-C8Me6)ZrCpMe(OR) (R = 2,6-Me-C6H3(11), 2,6-iPr-C6H3(12) and 2,4-tBu-C6H3(13)).2,3,6,7,9,10and12were studied as initiators for the ring-opening polymerisation (ROP) ofL-lactide, and2,3,6,7and10were studied as initiators for the ROP ofrac-lactide.3was found to be the most active initiator for the ROP ofL-lactide (kobs= 0.35 h−1) and2for the ROP ofrac-lactide (kobs= 0.21 h−1). These initiators produced isotactic PLA for the ROP ofL-lactide and moderately heterotactic enriched (maximumProf 0.69) or atactic PLA for the ROP ofrac-lactide with polymer chains consisting of polylactic acid repeat units with –OR and –OH end groups.

We report here the synthesis of two new ansa-bridged permethylindenyl zirconocenes, their reaction with solid polymethylaluminoxane (sMAO) and their use in slurry phase ethylene polymerisation. Meso-(EBI*)Zr(CH2Ph)2 and meso-(EBI*)Zr(CH2tBu)Cl, (EBI* = ethylenebis[1-(2,3,4,5,6,7-hexamethylindenyl)]) were synthesised from meso-(EBI*)ZrCl2 and KCH2Ph and LiCH2tBu respectively. The new zirconocenes were characterised by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography, and density functional theory calculations were carried out. Solid precatalysts were obtained when these compounds were reacted with the polymethylaluminoxane support. Ethylene polymerisation activities of up to 6000 kgPE/molZr/h/bar were obtained in the slurry polymerisation of ethylene. The polyethylenes showed molecular weights, Mw, above 200 000 kg/mol and low polydispersities, Mw/Mn

A family of group 15 MIII pyridine dipyrrolide complexes has been prepared and fully characterized; the reduction of these complexes was investigated with traditional strong metal reductants, which led either to over-reduction in the case of Mg and Zn or to ligand redistribution and "ate" complex formation when KC8 was used. However, by utilizing organosilanes as soluble reductants, the ring opening and two electron reduction of thf solvent was observed with concomitant formation of Bi-C and Si-O bonds; this is an example of a main group complex that is capable of ring opening a cyclic ether in the absence of additional metal reducing agents. The proposed BiII intermediate in this mechanism could be trapped using the stable organic radical TEMPO.

Two methods for the synthesis of bis(imidazol-2-ylidene)pyridine iron dialkyl complexes, (CNC)Fe(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2), have been developed. The first route consists of addition of two equivalents of LiCH(2)SiMe(3) to the iron dihalide complex, (CNC)FeBr(2), while the second relies on addition of the free CNC ligand to readily-prepared (py)(2)Fe(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2) (py = pyridine). With aryl-substituted CNC ligands, octahedral complexes of the type ((Ar)CNC)Fe(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(N(2)) ((Ar)CNC = bis(arylimidazol-2-ylidene)pyridine) were isolated, where the dinitrogen ligand occupies the site trans to the pyridine of the CNC-chelate. In contrast, the alkyl-substituted variant, ((tBu)ACNC)Fe(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2) ((tBu)ACNC = 2,6-((t)Bu-imidazol-2-ylidene)(2)pyridine) was isolated as the five-coordinate compound lacking dinitrogen. Exposure of the ((Ar)CNC)Fe(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(N(2)) derivatives to an H(2) atmosphere resulted in formation of the corresponding iron hydride complexes ((Ar)CNC)FeH(4). These compounds catalyzed hydrogen isotope exchange between the deuterated benzene solvent and H(2), generating isotopologues and isotopomers of ((Ar)CNC)Fe(H(n))(D(4-n)) (n = 0–4). When (3,5-Me(2)(Mes)CNC)Fe(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(N(2)) (3,5-Me(2)(Mes)CNC = 2,6-(2,4,6-Me(3)-C6H2-imidazol-2-ylidene)(2)-3,5-Me(2)-pyridine) was treated successively with H(2) and then N(2), the corresponding reduced dinitrogen complex (3,5-Me(2)(Mes)CNC)Fe(N(2))(2) was isolated. The same product was also obtained following addition of pinacolborane to (3,5-Me(2)(Mes)CNC)Fe(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(N(2)).

A series of well-defined group 4 permethylindenyl complexes have been prepared and fully characterised by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Me2SB(Cp,I*)ZrCl2 ({(η5-C9Me6)Me2Si(η5-C5H4)}ZrCl2; 1), Me2SB(CpMe,I*)ZrCl2 ({(η5-C9Me6)Me2Si(η5-C5H3Me)}ZrCl2; 2), Me2SB(Cp,I*)HfCl2 (3) and Z-Me2SB(Cp,I*)ZrCl(O-2,6-Me-C6H3) (4) were investigated as initiators for the ring-opening polymerisation (ROP) of l-, d- and rac-lactide monomers in the presence of benzyl alcohol. 1-4 displayed second order dependence on monomer concentration and produced isotactic and heterotactic (Pr = 0.81) polylactides for the polymerisation of l-, d- and rac-lactide respectively. The effects of temperature, catalyst concentration, co-initiator concentration, solvent and scale were studied. At 80 °C, with two equivalents of benzyl alcohol, 4 was the most active initiator for the ROP of l-, d- and rac-lactide (kobs = 6.39, 6.38 and 5.89 M-1 h-1 respectively). The polylactides were characterised by NMR spectroscopy, GPC and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

A series of bis(peralkylindenyl)zirconocene and hafnocene complexes were synthesised and characterised by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analyses. 3-ethyl-2,4,5,6,7-pentamethylindanone, ( 3-Et Ind # [Formula presented] 3-ethyl-2,4,5,6,7-pentamethylindene, ( 3-Et Ind # )H, and rac-3-ethyl-2,4,5,6,7-pentamethylindenylhafnium dichloride, rac-( 3-Et Ind # ) 2 HfCl 2 , were also characterised by X-ray crystallography. rac- and meso-( 3-Et Ind # ) 2 MCl 2 (M = Zr or Hf) were obtained from the reaction of ( 3-Et Ind # )Li with ZrCl 4 or HfCl 4 . The group 4 metallocenes were then reacted with methylaluminoxane-functionalised silica (SSMAO) to afford silica supported catalysts. A mixture of rac- and meso-( 3-Et Ind # ) 2 ZrCl 2 supported on SSMAO demonstrated an initial polymerisation activity of 250 kg PE /mol M /h/bar. At 70 °C, using rac-( 3-Et Ind # ) 2 ZrCl 2 , solution phase polymerisation activities were twenty times faster than slurry phase polymerisation using SSMAO-rac-( 3-Et Ind # ) 2 ZrCl 2 (1243 and 75 kg PE /mol Zr /h/bar respectively).

A family of group 4 permethylpentalene complexes, Pn∗MCpRX (M = Ti, Zr; CpR = Cp, CpMe, CptBu, CpnBu, CpMe3, Ind; X = Cl, Me), has been synthesized and fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. These complexes were immobilized on an insoluble polymethylaluminoxane (sMAO), MAO-modified silica (ssMAO), and a MAO-modified layered double hydroxide (LDH-MAO). The effect of substitution around the Cp ligand was examined in relation to their performance (activity, Mw, PDI, polymer morphology) for ethylene polymerization measured both in solution and in slurry phase. Maximum solution-phase activities of 3585 kg/mol·h·bar were recorded at modest [Zr]:[Al] ratios of 1:250. These were compared to the activities recorded using the equivalent solid-supported complexes, and it was observed that sMAO was a superior support material with average increases in activity of 5.3 and 2.3 times relative to ssMAO and LDH-MAO, respectively. Most striking was the observation that slurry-phase ethylene polymerization activities using equivalent precatalysts supported on sMAO showed enhanced performance compared to the solution phase up to a maximum of 4486 kg/mol·h·bar.

Addition of H2 gas to the bis(arylimidazolin-2-ylidene)pyridine iron bis(dinitrogen) complex (H4-iPrCNC)Fe(N2)2 resulted in facile oxidative addition of the H–H bond to yield a mixture of (H4-iPrCNC)FeH4 and trans-(H4-iPrCNC)FeH2(N2), depending on the partial pressures of H2 and N2. Both iron hydride complexes were characterized by X-ray diffraction and proved relevant to the catalytic hydrogen isotope exchange of arene C(sp2)–H bonds. Activation of the benzene-d6 solvent at ambient temperature produced deuterated isotologues of both compounds that exhibit large isotopic perturbation of resonances in the hydride signals.

A series of titanium complexes containing the permethylpentalene ligand (C8Me62−; Pn∗) – Pn∗Ti(O-2,6-Me-C6H3)Cl (1), Pn∗Ti(O-2,4-tBu-C6H3)Cl (2), Pn∗Ti(OtBu)Cl (3), Pn∗Ti(O-2,6-Me-C6H3)2 (4), Pn∗Ti(OtBu)2 (5) – or the (hydro)permethylpentalene ligand (C8Me6H−; Pn∗(H)) – Pn∗(H)Ti(O-2,6-Me-C6H3)Cl2 (6) and Pn∗(H)Ti(O-2,6-Me2-C6H3)3 (7) – were prepared by the reaction of [Pn∗TiCl(μ-Cl)]2 with the corresponding potassium salt or alcohol. All complexes have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies and NMR spectroscopy. The (hydro)permethylpentalene complexes contain a stereocenter and planar chirality which can be described as R,RP or S,SP configurations.

A family of group 4 metallocene complexes based on the hexamethylindenyl ligand (C9Me6H; Ind#) have been prepared and fully characterised. The complexes rac- Ind 2 # ZrCl2 (rac-1), meso- Ind 2 # ZrCl2 (meso-1), rac- Ind 2 # HfCl2 (rac-2), meso- Ind 2 # HfCl2 (meso-2) were prepared by the reaction of Ind#Li with the corresponding MCl4 (where M = Zr, Hf); and rac- Ind 2 # Zr(CH2Ph)2 (rac-3) was derived from rac-1 using two equivalents of potassium benzyl (KCH2Ph). All five species were characterised by NMR spectroscopy, single crystal X-ray diffraction and studied using density functional theory. The zirconocenes were tested for their activity as solution-phase ethylene polymerisation catalysts and rac-1 was found to outperform the meso-1 at most temperatures. The benzyl analogue, rac-3, peaked at more than double the activity reported for the dihalide species.

We report the synthesis of two zirconocenes, dimethylsilylbis(hexamethylindenyl) zirconium dichloride, rac-(SBI*)ZrCl2, and nbutyldimethylsilyl(hexamethylindenyl) zirconium trichloride, [(Ind*SiMe2nBu)Zr(μ-Cl)Cl2]2. The complexes were characterised by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography, and the bonding was evaluated using density functional theory. rac-(SBI*)ZrCl2 demonstrated a very high activity for solution phase polymerisation of ethylene (ca. 22 500 kgPE−1 molZr−1 h−1 bar−1). Both rac-(SBI*)ZrCl2 and rac-(EBI*)ZrCl2 (EBI* = ethylenebis(hexamethylindenyl)) have been supported on MAO modified silica and AMOST layered double hydroxides (AMO-LDHs), and evaluated as catalysts in the slurry-phase polymerisation of ethylene. The highest catalytic polymerisation activities for rac-(SBI*)ZrCl2 and rac-(EBI*)ZrCl2 on the layered double hydroxides were 9657 and 4325 kgPE−1 molZr−1 h−1 bar−1 respectively, for MAO modified Mg2Al–SO4 LDH. However, rac-(EBI*)ZrCl2 was a three times more active catalyst than rac-(SBI*)ZrCl2 when supported on silica.

A series of substituted phenyl mono-imido complexes of the type W(NR)Cl4(THF) (R = C6H5, 2,6-Me-C6H3, 3,5-Me-C6H3, 2,4,6-Me-C6H2, 4-OMe-C6H4, 2,6-F-C6H3 and 3,5-CF3-C6H3) have been synthesised and characterised. Reaction of these complexes with solid polymethylaluminoxane (sMAO) leads to immobilisation and in situ methylation of the chloride positions on the surface of the support. Reaction of W(NR)Cl4(THF) with trimethylaluminium (TMA) yields the trimethyl complexes W(NR)Me3Cl. Immobilisation of the isotopically labelled W{N(2,6-F-C6H3)}(13CH3)3Cl on sMAO furnished the supported complex with two identifiable methyl resonances in the 13C–{1H} solid state CPMAS spectrum (45 and 56 ppm), with the latter matching the unsupported complex, confirming retention of the structure on the surface. The sMAO-supported complexes (W : Al = 1 : 150) were tested for their propensity to dimerise ethylene (1 bar) in d6-benzene at 100 °C and compared with the previously reported sMAO-W{N(2,6-iPr-C6H3)}Cl4(THF) (sMAO-1.a). Complexes with electron deficient imido groups were shown to be the most active, and increased steric bulk in the ortho positions is also an important factor, with sMAO acting as a support, scavenger and activator. sMAO-W{N(3,5-CF3-C6H3)}Cl4(THF) was the most active, demonstrating a turnover frequency of 5.65 molC2H4 mol−1W h−1 and a selectivity towards 1-butene of 91% after 8 h.

The electronic structures of pyridine N-heterocyclic dicarbene (iPrCNC) iron complexes have been studied by a combination of spectroscopic and computational methods. The goal of these studies was to determine if this chelate engages in radical chemistry in reduced base metal compounds. The iron dinitrogen example (iPrCNC)Fe(N2)2 and the related pyridine derivative (iPrCNC)Fe(DMAP)(N2) were studied by NMR, Mössbauer, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy and are best described as redox non-innocent compounds with the iPrCNC chelate functioning as a classical π acceptor and the iron being viewed as a hybrid between low-spin Fe(0) and Fe(II) oxidation states. This electronic description has been supported by spectroscopic data and DFT calculations. Addition of N,N-diallyl-tert-butylamine to (iPrCNC)Fe(N2)2 yielded the corresponding iron diene complex. Elucidation of the electronic structure again revealed the CNC chelate acting as a π acceptor with no evidence for ligand-centered radicals. This ground state is in contrast with the case for the analogous bis(imino)pyridine iron complexes and may account for the lack of catalytic [2π + 2π] cycloaddition reactivity.

A family of group 4 alkoxide and aryloxide complexes of a chiral cyclopentadienyl-derived (hydro)permethylpentalenyl ligand (C8Me 6H; Pn*(H)) have been prepared and fully characterized. Both racemic and enantiopure complexes of all group 4 congeners were prepared with a wide variety of alkoxide and aryloxide ligands. The complexes Pn*(H)Ti(OtBu)3 (1), Pn*(H)Ti(O-2,6-Me-C 6H3)3 (2), Pn*(H)Zr(OtBu) 3 (3), Pn*(H)Zr(OCH2Ph)3 (4), Pn*(H)Zr(S-OCH{CH3}C6H5)3 (5), Pn*(H)Zr(rac-OCH{CH3}C6H5)3 (6), Pn*(H)Zr(O-2,6-Me-C6H3)3 (7), Pn*(H)Zr(O-2,6-iPr-C6H3)3 (8), Pn*(H)ZrCl2(O-2,6-tBu-C6H3) (9), Pn*(H)Hf(O-2,6-Me-C6H3)3 (10), Pn*(H)HfCl(O-2,6-iPr-C6H3)2, (11), and Pn*(H)HfCl2(O-2,6-tBu-C6H 3) (12) were prepared by the reaction of Pn*(H)MCl3 complexes with the corresponding potassium alkoxides and aryloxides. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies implied that, despite multiple diastereomers being possible for each complex, the diastereomers isolated are limited to configurations in which the methyl group at the chiral center is always oriented anti to the metal center in order to minimize steric hindrance (R,RP and S,SP). The complexes were investigated as initiators for the ring-opening polymerization of l- and rac-lactide in order to ascertain if these mixtures of diastereomers could exert any stereocontrol on the resulting polymerization. Kinetic studies were completed to explore the effects of the metal cation, chiral (hydro)permethylpentalenyl ligand, ancillary ligands, initiator concentration and temperature. Both Pn*(H)Zr(S- OCH{CH3}C6H5)3 and Pn*(H)Zr(rac-OCH{CH3}C6H5)3 demonstrated very high rates of propagation for l- and rac-lactide (1.885 < kobs < 3.442 h-1) at 100 °C. The observed propagation rates using Pn*(H)Zr(rac-OCH{CH3}C 6H5)3 are around 70% faster for l-lactide and rac-lactide in comparison to those using Pn*(H)Zr(S-OCH{CH 3}C6H5)3. The polymers were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, GPC, and MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry in order to investigate the tacticities and polydispersities of the polymerizations. © 2014 American Chemical Society.

The electronic structure of the diamagnetic pyridine imine enamide cobalt dinitrogen complex, ((iPr)PIEA)CoN2 ((iPr)PIEA = 2-(2,6-(i)Pr2-C6H3N═CMe)-6-(2,6-(i)Pr2-C6H3NC═CH2)C5H3N), was determined and is best described as a low-spin cobalt(II) complex antiferromagnetically coupled to an imine radical anion. Addition of potential radical sources such as NO, PhSSPh, or Ph3Cl resulted in C-C coupling at the enamide positions to form bimetallic cobalt compounds. Treatment with the smaller halocarbon, PhCH2Cl, again induced C-C coupling to form a bimetallic bis(imino)pyridine cobalt chloride product but also yielded a monomeric cobalt chloride product where the benzyl group added to the enamide carbon. Similar cooperative metal-ligand addition was observed upon treatment of ((iPr)PIEA)CoN2 with CH2═CHCH2Br, which resulted in allylation of the enamide carbon. Reduction of Coupled-((iPr)PDI)CoCl (Coupled-((iPr)PDI)CoCl = [2-(2,6-(i)Pr2-C6H3N═CMe)-C5H3N-6-(2,6-(i)Pr2-C6H3N═CCH2-)CoCl]2) with NaBEt3H led to quantitative formation of ((iPr)PIEA)CoN2, demonstrating the reversibility of the C-C bond forming reactions. The electronic structures of each of the bimetallic cobalt products were also elucidated by a combination of experimental and computational methods.

A family of well-defined cyclopentadienyl and indenyl group 4 complexes has been prepared. The complexes Cp2ZrCl(O-2,6-Me-C6H3) (1), Cp2Zr(O-2,6-Me-C6H3)2 (2), Cp2ZrMe(O-2,6-Me-C6H3) (3), (Ind)2ZrCl(O-2,6-Me-C6H3) (4), (Ind)2ZrMe(O-2,6-Me-C6H3) (5), (Ind)2ZrMe(OtBu) (6), and rac-(EBI)ZrCl(O-2,6-Me-C6H3) (7) were investigated as catalysts for the polymerization of L- and rac-lactide. (Ind)2ZrMe(OtBu) was shown to be the fastest catalyst. At 100 °C, the rates of polymerization (kobs) for L- and rac-lactide were very similar (0.317 and 0.293 h−1 respectively). However, at 80 °C it was found that polymerization of L-LA (kobs = 0.217 h−1) was twice as fast as rac-LA (kobs = 0.120 h−1).

A family of 4-substituted bis(imino)pyridines, 4-X-iPrPDI (4-X-iPrPDI = 2,6-(2,6-iPr2-C6H3N═CMe)2-4-X-C5H2N; X = CF3, tBu, Bn, NMe2), has been synthesized and the iron coordination chemistry studied. Sodium amalgam reduction of the iron dihalides (4-X-iPrPDI)FeX2 (X = Cl, Br) in the presence of excess carbon monoxide furnished the corresponding iron dicarbonyl compounds (4-X-iPrPDI)Fe(CO)2. Equilibrium mixtures of the four- and five-coordinate iron dinitrogen compounds (4-X-iPrPDI)FeN2 and (4-X-iPrPDI)Fe(N2)2 were prepared by performing the sodium amalgam reduction of the iron dihalides under a dinitrogen atmosphere. Electrochemical and spectroscopic measurements were conducted on the free ligands and the iron derivatives to systematically evaluate the influence of each para pyridine substituent on the electronic structure of the compound.

The electronic structures of the four- and five-coordinate aryl-substituted bis(imino)pyridine iron dinitrogen complexes, ((iPr)PDI)FeN(2) and ((iPr)PDI)Fe(N(2))(2) ((iPr)PDI = 2,6-(2,6-(i)Pr(2)-C(6)H(3)-N=CMe)(2)C(5)H(3)N), have been investigated by a combination of spectroscopic techniques (NMR, Mössbauer, X-ray Absorption, and X-ray Emission) and DFT calculations. Homologation of the imine methyl backbone to ethyl or isopropyl groups resulted in the preparation of the new bis(imino)pyridine iron dinitrogen complexes, ((iPr)RPDI)FeN(2) ((iPr)RPDI = 2,6-(2,6-(i)Pr(2)-C(6)H(3)-N=CR)(2)C(5)H(3)N; R = Et, (i)Pr), that are exclusively four coordinate both in the solid state and in solution. The spectroscopic and computational data establish that the ((iPr)RPDI)FeN(2) compounds are intermediate spin ferrous derivatives (S(Fe) = 1) antiferromagnetically coupled to bis(imino)pyridine triplet diradical dianions (S(PDI) = 1). While this ground state description is identical to that previously reported for ((iPr)PDI)Fe(DMAP) (DMAP = 4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridine) and other four-coordinate iron compounds with principally σ-donating ligands, the d-orbital energetics determine the degree of coupling of the metal-chelate magnetic orbitals resulting in different NMR spectroscopic behavior. For ((iPr)RPDI)Fe(DMAP) and related compounds, this coupling is strong and results in temperature independent paramagnetism where a triplet excited state mixes with the singlet ground state via spin orbit coupling. In the ((iPr)RPDI)FeN(2) family, one of the iron singly occupied molecular orbitals (SOMOs) is essentially d(z(2)) in character resulting in poor overlap with the magnetic orbitals of the chelate, leading to thermal population of the triplet state and hence temperature dependent NMR behavior. The electronic structures of ((iPr)RPDI)FeN(2) and ((iPr)PDI)Fe(DMAP) differ from ((iPr)PDI)Fe(N(2))(2), a highly covalent molecule with a redox noninnocent chelate that is best described as a resonance hybrid between iron(0) and iron(II) canonical forms as originally proposed in 2004.

Oxidative halogenation with trityl chloride provides convenient access to CeIV and UIV chloroamides [M(N{SiMe3}2)3Cl] and their N-heterocyclic carbene derivatives, [M(L)(N-{SiMe3}2)2Cl] (L= OCMe2CH2(CNCH2CH2NDipp) Dipp=2,6-iPr2C6H3). Computational analysis of the bonding in these and a fluoro analogue, [U(L)(N{SiMe3}2)2F], provides new information on the covalency in this relative rare oxidation state for molecular cerium complexes. Computational studies reveal increased Mayer bond orders in the actinide carbene bond compared with the lanthanide carbene bond, and natural and atoms-in-molecules analyses suggest greater overall ionicity in the cerium complexes than in the uranium analogues.

The first examples of cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) ligands bound to electropositive metal centres (K, Mg, Sr and Ba) have been isolated and characterised. Preliminary studies demonstrate that all complexes are active for polar monomer polymerisation under ambient conditions affording desirable hydroxyl-terminated telechelic polymers.

The reactions of f-block silylamido N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes ([M(L)(N{SiMe3}2)2], M = Y, Ce, and U, L = bidentate alkoxy-tethered NHC ligand) with CO and CO2 have been studied and compared to each other, to those of selected [M(L)2 (N{SiMe3}2)] complexes, and to those of [M(N{SiMe3}2)3] to identify the effect of the labile NHC group on the small molecule activation chemistry. The small molecules COS and N2CPh2 have also been studied.

Two functional groups can be delivered at once to organo-rare earth complexes, (L)MR(2) and (L)(2)MR (M = Sc, Y; L = ({1-C(NDippCH(2)CH(2)N)}CH(2)CMe(2)O), Dipp = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)-C(6)H(3); R = CH(2)SiMe(3), CH(2)CMe(3)), via the addition of E-X across the metal-carbene bond to form a zwitterionic imidazolinium-metal complex, (L(E))MR(2)X, where L(E) = {1-EC(NDippCH(2)CH(2)N)}CH(2)CMe(2)O, E is a p-block functional group such as SiR(3), PR(2), or SnR(3), and X is a halide. The "ate" complex (L(Li))ScR(3) is readily accessible and is best described as a Li carbene adduct, ({1-Li(THF)C(NDippCH(2)CH(2)N)}CH(2)CMe(2)O)Sc(CH(2)SiMe(3))(3), since structural characterization shows the alkoxide ligand bridging the two metals and the carbene Li-bound with the shortest yet recorded Li-C bond distance. This can be converted via lithium halide-eliminating salt metathesis reactions to alkylated or silylated imidazolinium derivatives, (L(E))ScR(3) (E = SiMe(3) or CPh(3)). All the E-functionalized imidazolinium complexes spontaneously eliminate functionalized hydrocarbyl compounds upon warming to room temperature or slightly above, forming new organic products ER, i.e., forming C-Si, C-P, and C-Sn bonds, and re-forming the inorganic metal carbene (L)MR(X) or (L)(2)MX complex, respectively. Warming the tris(alkyl) complexes (L(E))MR(3) forms organic products arising from C-C or C-Si bond formation, which appears to proceed via the same elimination route. Treatment of (L)(2)Sc(CH(2)SiMe(3)) with iodopentafluorobenzene results in the "reverse sense" addition, which upon thermolysis forms the metal aryl complex (L)(2)Sc(C(6)F(5)) and releases the iodoalkane Me(3)SiCH(2)I, again facilitated by the reversible functionalization of the N-heterocyclic carbene group in these tethered systems.

The synthesis of magnesium and zinc complexes of bidentate anionic alkoxide ligands with saturated-backbone carbene groups is reported. Mono(ligand) and bis(ligand) complexes [M(L(R))N''](2) and [M(L(R))(2)] (M = Mg, Zn, N'' = N(SiMe(3))(2), L(R) = [OCMe(2)CH(2){CNCH(2)CH(2)NR}] R = (i)Pr, Mes, Dipp) have been isolated, and some structurally characterised and compared with the new unsaturated carbene complex [Mg(L)(2)]. Reactions with silyl halides show either addition across the metal carbene bond, or across the metal alkoxide bond, in accordance with the metals' electronegativity difference: the metal alkoxide bonds are stronger for Mg(II) complexes, for which the carbene is silylated to form zwitterionic [MgI(Me(3)SiL(R))N''] (Me(3)SiL(R) = OCMe(2)CH(2){Me(3)SiCNCH(2)CH(2)NR}) while the metal-bound alkoxide group is silylated in the Zn(II) complexes forming [ZnI(Me(3)SiOL(R))N''] (Me(3)SiOL(R) = Me(3)SiOCMe(2)CH(2){CNCH(2)CH(2)NR}). The proligand [HL(R)] is silylated at the alcohol group, forming the iodide salt [Me(3)SiOCMe(2)CH(2){HCNCH(2)CH(2)NR}]I.Preliminary results on the use of these complexes as initiators for the polymerisation of rac-lactide are reported, and suggest different initiation mechanisms are occurring for the two metals, in agreement with the different silylation reactivity observed. The polymerisation reactions are facile at room temperature even without an initiator, and yield polymers of reasonable molecular weight and heterotacticity and with good PDI. These are the first magnesium NHC complexes demonstrated to effect lactide polymerisation.Also, an adduct instead of the anticipated potassium alkoxycarbene is generated from the reaction of the proligand [HL(R)] with potassium amide KN''; this has been structurally characterised.

A study is reported on the relative stability of trivalent bis(ligand) complexes of the form [M(LR)2N''] for trivalent group 3, lanthanide and actinide cations, using the sterically demanding N-heterocyclic carbene ligand LR = [OCMe2CH2{CNCH2CH2NR}] (R = iPrLP, Mes LM, Dipp LD; N'' = N(SiMe3)2). For the small YIII cation (r6-coord = 1.040 Å) and the smallest LR, R = iPr, mono, bis, and tris(LP) complexes can be made; [Y(LP)2N''] and [Y(LP)3] have been characterised. For the larger ligands, LM and LD, only the mono(LR) complexes [Y(LM)N''2] and [Y(LD)N''2] can be made. For the larger CeIII (r6-coord = 1.15 Å), mono(LR) and bis(LR) complexes [Ce(LM)N''2], [Ce(LD)N''2], [Ce(LM)2N''], and [Ce(LD)2N''] can be made; structural characterisation of the latter two confirm the high degree of steric congestion. The new complex [U(LM)N''2] has also been isolated. Despite the very similar radii of CeIII and UIII (r6-coord = 1.165 Å), the complexes [U(LR)2N''] cannot be isolated; a surprising display of the difference between the 4f and 5f metal series. However, the six-coordinate, bis(ligand) UIV complexes can readily be isolated if smaller ancillary ligands are used; [U(LM)2I2] and [U(LD)2I2] have been fully, including structurally, characterised.