Active O,Npy,N-Titanium(IV) Fluoride Precatalysts for Ethylene Polymerization: Exploring “Fluoride Effects” on Polymer Properties and Catalytic Performance

Abstract

Three examples of discrete six-coordinate O,Npy,N-bearing titanium(IV) trifluoride complexes, [{2-(C5H4N)-6-(CMe2O)C5H3N}TiF3] (1), [{2-(C6H4-2′-O),6-(CMe═N(2,6-i-Pr2C6H3))C5H3N}TiF3] (2a), and [{2-(3-C12H8-2-O)-6-(CMe═N(2,6-i-Pr2C6H3))C5H3N}TiF3] (3a), were prepared using a one-step HF elimination protocol from cis-[(THF)2TiF4] and the corresponding pincer ligand precursor (HL1, HL2H, and HL2Ph). A mer configuration of the three fluoride ligands is adopted in their solid-state structures, which is mirrored in solution, as shown by mutual two-bond F–F coupling in their 19F{1H} NMR spectra. For purposes of comparison, the chloride counterparts of 2a and 3a, [{2-(C6H4-2′-O),6-(CMe═N(2,6-i-Pr2C6H3)C5H3N}TiCl3] (2b) and [{2-(3-C12H8-2-O)-6-(CMe═N(2,6-i-Pr2C6H3))C5H3N}TiCl3] (3b), are also reported. On treatment with excess MAO, 1 is scarcely active in ethylene polymerization, 2a is more active, and the most sterically protected system, 3a, represents the most active nonmetallocene metal-fluoride precatalyst r...