Cyclometalated 2‐phenylpyridine complex [RuII(o‐C6H4‐py)(MeCN)4]PF6 as a tunable catalyst for living radical polymerization

Abstract

AbstractThe cyclometalated complex [RuII(o‐C6H4‐py)(MeCN)4]PF6 (1) with a σ‐RuC bond and four substitutionally labile acetonitrile ligands mediates radical polymerization of different vinyl monomers, viz. n‐butyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, and styrene, initiated by three alkyl bromides: ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate, methyl 2‐bromopropionate, and 1‐phenylethyl bromide. The polymerization requires the presence of Al(OiPr)3 and occurs uncontrollably as a conventional radical process. The variation of the molar ratio of the components of the reaction mixture, such as initiator, Al(OiPr)3 and catalyst, affected the polymerization rates and the molecular weights but did not improve the control. A certain level of control has been achieved by adding 0.5 eq of SnCl2 as a reducing agent. Tin(II) chloride decreased the rate of polymerization and simultaneously the molecular weights became conversion‐dependent and the polydispersities were also narrowed. Remarkably, the level of control was radically improved in the presence of excess of the poorly soluble catalyst (1), when the added amount of (1) was not soluble any more, i.e., under heterogeneous conditions, the system became adjustable and the living polymerization of all three monomers was finally achieved. Possible mechanisms of the (1)‐catalyzed polymerization are discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4193–4204, 2008