Synthesis and characterization of titanium complexes bearing two beta-enaminoketonato ligands with electron-withdrawing groups and their behavior in ethylene polymerization

摘要

A series of new titanium complexes with two asymmetric bidentate beta-enaminoketonato (N,O) ligands (4b-t), [RN=CCF3)CHC(t-BU)O](2)TiCl2 (4b, R = -C6H4F(o); 4c, R = -C6H4F(m);4d, R = -C6H4F(p); 4e, R = - C6H3F2(2,3); 4f, R = -C6H3F2(2,4); 4g, R = -C6H3F2(2,5); 4h, R = -C6H3F2(2,6); 4i, R = -C6H3F2(3,4); 4j, R = -C6H3F2(3,5); 4k, R = -C6H2F3(2,3,4); 4l, R = -C6H2F3(3,4,5); 4m, R = -C6H4CF3(o); 4n, R =-C6H4CF3(m); 4o, R = -C6H4CF3(p); 4p, R = -C6H4Cl(p); 4q, R = -C6H4I(p); 4r, R = -C6H4NO2(P); 4s, R = -CH2C6H5; 4t, R = -C6H11), have been synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystal structures suggest that complexes 4a-d, 4j, and 4m all adopt a distorted octahedral geometry around the titanium centers. Two chlorine atoms in complexes 4a-d and 4j are in cis-configuration, while those of complex 4m are trans. NMR spectra and X-ray structure analyses reveal that the conformational isomers of some complexes, such as 4b, in which the two beta-enaminoketonato ligands bear asymmetrical N-phenyl rings, exist both in solution and in solid state. With modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) as a cocatalyst, complexes 4b-1 and 4n-q are highly active toward ethylene polymerization and produce high molecular weight polyethylenes. The catalytic activities are significantly enhanced by introducing electron-withdrawing groups (EWG), such as fluorine and chlorine atom(s) or the trifluoromethyl group, into suitable positions on the N-aryl rings. The titanium complex 4m is inactive toward ethylene polymerization due to the trans-configuration of the two chlorine atoms. In addition, the titanium complexes display low catalytic activity for ethylene polymerization only if the N-substituents are not aromatic.