Coordination chemistry of [2 + 2] Schiff-base macrocycles derived from the dianilines [(2-NHCH)X] (X = CHCH, O): structural studies and ROP capability towards cyclic esters.

Reaction of the [2 + 2] Schiff-base macrocycles {[2-(OH)-5-(R)-C6H2-1,3-(CH)2][CH2CH2(2-C6H4N)2]}2 (R = Me, L1H2; tBu, L2H2) with FeBr2 afforded the complexes [FeBr(L1H2)]2[(FeBr3)2O]·2MeCN (1·2MeCN), [FeBr(L2H2)][X] (X = 0.5(FeBr3)2O, 2·0.5MeCN, X = Br, 3·5.

Structural studies of Schiff-base [2 + 2] macrocycles derived from 2,2'-oxydianiline and the ROP capability of their organoaluminium complexes.

The molecular structures of a number of solvates of the [2 + 2] Schiff-base macrocycles {[2-(OH)-5-(R)-C6H2-1,3-(CH)2][O(2-C6H4N)2]}2 (R = Me L(1)H2, tBu L(2)H2, Cl L(3)H2), formed by reacting 2,6-dicarboxy-4-R-phenol with 2,2'-oxydianiline (2-aminophenylether), (2-NH2C6H4)2O, have been determined. Reaction of L(n)H2 with two equivalents of AlR'3 (R' = Me, Et) afforded dinuclear alkylaluminium complexes [(AlR'2)2L(1-3)] (R = R' = Me (1), R = tBu, R' = Me (2), R = Cl, R' = Me (3), R = Me, R' = Et (4), R = tBu, R' = Et (5), R = Cl, R' = Et (6)). For comparative studies, reactions of two equivalents of AlR'3 (R' = Me, Et) with the macrocycle derived from 2,2'-ethylenedianiline and 2,6-dicarboxy-R-phenols (R = Me L(4)H2, tBu L(5)H2) were conducted; the complexes [(AlMe)(AlMe2)L(5)]·2¼MeCN (7·2¼MeCN) and [(AlEt2)2L(4)] (8) were isolated.

Iron(III) and zinc(II) calixarene complexes: synthesis, structural studies, and use as procatalysts for epsilon-caprolactone polymerization.

Treatment of the heterobimetallic iron(II) alkoxides [(THF)MFe(OtBu)(3)](2) with p-tert-butylcalix[4]areneH(4) (L(1)H(4)) affords the oxo-bridged diiron(III) complexes {Fe[M(NCMe)(x)](2)L(1)}(2)(mu-O), M = Na, x = 2 1 x 8(CH(3)CN), M = K, x = 3 2 x 3.5(CH(3)CN); similar use of p-tert-butylcalix[6]areneH(6) (L(2)H(6)) afforded [{Fe(2)(mu-O)Na(2)(OH(2))(NCMe)(2)L(2)}(2)][{Fe(2)(mu-O)Na(OH(2))(NCMe)(6)L(2)}(2)](2-)[Na(NCMe)(5)](2)(2+) 3 x 9.46(CH(3)CN) and [{Fe(2)(mu-O)L(2)(K(NCMe)(2))(2)}(2)] 4 x 10.

Vanadium-based imido-alkoxide pro-catalysts bearing bisphenolate ligands for ethylene and epsilon-caprolactone polymerisation.

The pro-catalysts [V(NAr)(L)(OR)] (Ar = p-tolyl, p-ClC(6)H(4), p-(OMe)C(6)H(4), p-(CF(3))C(6)H(4); R = t-Bu, i-Pr, n-Pr, Et, C(CH(3))(CF(3))(2)) have been prepared in good yields from the reaction of [V(NAr)(OR)(3)] and the bisphenol 2,2'-CH(3)CH[4,6-(t-Bu)(2)C(6)H(2)OH](2) (LH(2)). X-Ray crystal structure determinations for the Ar = p-tolyl, R = t-Bu (1), R = C(CH(3))(CF(3))(2) (2) and Ar = p-ClC(6)H(4), R = t-Bu (3) derivatives revealed monomeric complexes, whereas use of R = i-Pr, n-Pr or Et led to alkoxide-bridged dimeric structures of the form [V(NAr)(L)(mu-OR)](2) (R = i-Pr, Ar = p-tolyl (4), p-ClC(6)H(4) (5), p-(CF(3))C(6)H(4) (6), p-(OMe)C(6)H(4) (7); R = n-Pr, Ar = p-tolyl (8), p-(CF(3))C(6)H(4) (9); R = Et, Ar = p-ClC(6)H(4) (10), p-tolyl (11)). Complexes 1-11 yield highly active ethylene polymerisation catalysts when treated with DMAC (dimethylaluminium chloride) in the presence of ETA (ethyltrichloroacetate), with activities in the range 38,800 to 75,200 g mmol(-1) h(-1) bar(-1).

Multinuclear alkylaluminium macrocyclic Schiff base complexes: influence of procatalyst structure on the ring opening polymerisation of epsilon-caprolactone.

Two remote dialkylaluminium centres supported by a macrocyclic Schiff base ligand exhibited beneficial cooperative effects, whilst aluminoxane-type bonding proved to be detrimental to activity for the ring opening polymerisation of epsilon-caprolactone.

Oxo- and imidovanadium complexes incorporating methylene- and dimethyleneoxa-bridged calix[3]- and -[4]arenes: synthesis, structures and ethylene polymerisation catalysis.

Reaction of [V(X)(OR)3] (X=O, Np-tolyl; R=Et, nPr or tBu) with p-tert-butylhexahomotrioxacalix[3]areneH3, LH3, affords the air-stable complexes [{V(X)L}n] (X=O, n=1 (1); X=Np-tolyl, n=2 (2)). Alternatively, 1 is readily available either from interaction of [V(mes)3THF] with LH3, and subsequent oxidation with O2 or upon reaction of LLi3 with [VOCl3]. Reaction of [V(Np-tolyl)(OtBu)3] with 1,3-dimethylether-p-tert-butylcalix[4]areneH2, Cax(OMe)2(OH)2, afforded [{VO(OtBu)}2(mu-O)Cax(OMe)2(O)2].