Synthesis of new zirconium diketiminate complexes and catalytic applications

Abstract: In order to prepare the complexes of Zr targeted for homogeneous catalysis in polymerization of lactides and hydroamination of activated olefins, we focused on the elaboration and the optimization of a systematic and efficient method for the synthesis of diketimines ligands with a variety of substituted alkyl (R) on their position N,N'. Symmetrical diketimines (nacnacRH) were obtained with a greater than 95% purity and a yield of 65% when R = Me and yields ranging from 80 to 95% when R = nPr, iPr, iBu, Bn, and Cy (+)-CH (Me) Ph. The Synthesis of diketimines with different N-alkyl substituents, called asymmetric, always gives a statistical mixture of three ligands: nacnacR,R'H nacnacR,RH and nacnacR',R'H that made their isolation problematic. Yields greater than statistical mixtures were obtained only with asymmetric diketimines bearing N-alky and N-aryl substituents (nacnacR,ArH). Subsequently, we studied the complexation of these bidentate ligands with Zr, the characterization of these complexes and investigation of their reactivity. Zr complexes of type (nacnacRH)2ZrCl2 were obtained via two main synthetic routes: the first consists in treatment of the lithium salt of the ligand with ZrCl4. The second is the reaction of the ligand with neutral complexes of alkyl-zirconium (IV) by protonation of the alkyl coordinated. In solution, the obtained complexes (nacnacR)2ZrX2 showed dynamic behavior via a "Bailar-twist" isomerization and the activation parameters of the isomerization were calculated. Octahedral complex (nacnacBn)2ZrCl2, showed no reactivity in  alkylation and carbozirconation was not possible by the exchange of alkyl with chlorides. The dimethyl analogue (nacnacBn)2ZrMe2, can be prepared by alkylation of ZrCl4 before ligand complexing. The diethoxide analogue (nacnacBn)2Zr(OEt)2 is obtained by exchange of dimethyls with ethoxides. The latter had slow reactivity in lactide polymerization under melt conditions.  Consequently, to address the problems encountered with unbridged (diketiminate) zirconium complexes, a cyclohexanediyl-bridged diketiminate ligand, (±)-C6H10(nacnacXylH)2, LH2, (Xyl = 2,6-dimethylphenyl) is prepared. Complexation of the tetradentate ligand is realized via two synthetic routes; The first is reaction of the lithium salt of the ligand with ZrCl4(THF)2. The second is deprotonation of the neutral ligand with Zr(NMe2)4 and elimination of dimethylamine. Complexes of the type: (±)-C6H10(nacnacXylH)2ZrX2 with X = Cl, NMe2 are obtained. The chloride ligands are in this case readily replaceable with ethoxides or methyls.  The (±)-C6H10(nacnacXylH)2Zr(OEt)2 complex showed the highest activity ever observed for any group 4 metal complex in lactide polymerization. The kinetic study showed that the rate law is first order in catalyst and monomer and the rate constant is k = 14(1) L mol−1 s−1. Analysis of the obtained polymer showed low molecular weight with no-stereocontrol. Reaction of the (±)-C6H10(nacnacXylH)2ZrCl2 with silver triflates yielded the (±)-C6H10(nacnacXylH)2Zr(OTf)2. The obtained bis-triflate complex showed to be a highly active catalyst for aza-Michael additions. The use of the enatiopure R,R-C6H10(nacnacXyl)2Zr(OTf)2 as catalyst for asymmetric aza-Michael additions of activated olefines gave the desired product with an enantiomeric excess of 19%.

Keyphrases: Zirconium, Complexes β-dikétiminate, Bailar-twist, Aza-Michael, Bis triflates, Nacnac complexes, β-Diketiminate complexes, Lactide polymerization, Aza-Michael addition, Bis triflates