Method for making cyclopentadiene type compounds

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for preparing compounds of the formula Z-R-Z where each Z can be selected from cyclopentadienyl type radicals such as substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl, indenyl, fluorenyl or tetrahydroindenyl or where one Z is Cl, Br, or I by reacting specific Z precursors with a dihaloalkylene compound. Also new cyclopentadienyl-type compounds are disclosed.

Description: The present invention relates to methods for making cyclopentadiene-type compounds. Background of the Invention The term "cyclopentadiene" as used herein refers to the compound having the formula The term "cyclopentadiene-type compounds" as used herein refers to compounds having the cyclopentadiene structure within their structure. Examples include unsubstituted cyclopentadiene, unsubstituted indene, unsubstituted fluorene, and substituted varieties of such compounds. Also included is tetrahydro indene. Cyclopentadiene-type compounds have found a number of uses in the past. Some such compounds have been found particularly useful for preparing metallocene compounds. Recently, there have been publications which indicate that a wide range of alkyl bridged bis-cyclopentadienyl compounds are useful as ligands for preparing metallocenes which have utility as catalysts for the polymerization of olefins. Some examples of patents containing such broad disclosures include U.S. Patent Nos. 4,808,561; 4,794,096; 4,892,851; 4,769,510, and 4,933,403, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. While the patents contain broad general statements regarding the effectiveness of a broad genus of compounds, a careful review of the prior art reveals that those statements were based upon the results obtained with only a few of the compounds falling within the patents broad disclosures. Further, the patents do not contain teachings as to how one could make all the compounds which fall within their broad general disclosures. Routes for producing at least some of those compounds falling within the broad teachings of those patents are far from being obvious to one having routine ordinary skill in the art, particularly if one is looking for an economical process for obtaining relatively pure compounds. For example, the only actual example in the patent literature of a bridged cyclopentadienyl-type compound containing a fluorenyl radical appears to be the (cyclopentadienyl) (fluorenyl)-dimethyl methane referred to as isopropyl (cyclopentadienyl) fluorenyl in U.S. 4,892,851. That patent is not considered to disclose how one could make compounds in which a cyclopentadienyl and a fluorenyl radical were bridged by bridging groups other than dimethyl methane. U.S. 3,426,069 discloses a method for making what is stated to be bis(9-fluorenyl) straight chain alkenes having a straight chain bridge of at least 2 carbon atoms by reacting fluorene with a diol in the presence of an alkali metal hydroxide. The process involves extreme reaction conditions and still provides a yield of only about 20% based on the moles of fluorene reacted. One object of the present invention is to provide new methods for preparing certain cyclopentadiene-type compounds. Another object is to provide methods which can provide increased yield of the desired cyclopentadiene-type compounds. Another object is to provide methods which can produce cyclopentadienyl-type compounds that are more readily obtained in substantially pure form. Other aspects, objects, and advantages for the present invention in its various embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure which follows: Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a process for preparing compounds of the formula Z-R-Z', wherein R is a structural bridge between Z and Z', wherein Z is unsubstituted or substituted fluorenyl and Z' is substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl, indenyl, fluorenyl; or tetrahydro indenyl In accordance with the method of the present invention there are obtained a number of cyclopentadienyl compounds including those of the formula Z-R-Z', wherein at least Z is a substituted or unsubstituted fluorenyl, Z and Z' are different, and R is a bridge comprising an alkylene radical, Sn, Si, Ge, B, Al, N, P, or O. Detailed Description of the Invention In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, compounds of the formula Z-R-Z' as defined in claim 1 can be prepared by reacting the precursor for the organic radical Z with an alkali metal alkyl under suitable reaction conditions to produce the corresponding Z anion. The resulting Z anion is then contacted under suitable reaction conditions with a suitable compound of the formula X-R-X, wherein each X is individually selected from F, Br, Cl, or I, and R is an alkylene radical having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, said alkylene radical optionally having in the alkylene chain an element selected from Ge, Si, B, Al, Sn, and P. The phrase "in the alkylene chain" as used herein refers to the main chain as distinguished from branches on the chain. Alternatively, instead of an alkylene chain, R can be any suitable bridging unit derived from a compound which reacts like a dihaloalkylene compound in the inventive process. Examples would include dihalo compounds of Ge, Si, B, Al, P, and Sn. The precursor for the organic radical Z can be unsubstituted fluorenyl or substituted fluorenyl. The term "fluorene" as used herein refers to the tricyclic compound which is generally illustrated by the following structural formula: In the chemical names used herein, the position of substituents on the fluorene will be indicated by referring to the point of attachment on the ring carbon by the number system illustrated in the above formula. Unless otherwise indicated, the term "fluorenyl" as used herein refers to the 9-fluorenyl radical. The substituents on Z or the precursor of Z can vary over a wide range and can be basically any substituent, which does not interfere with the method of the present invention. Currently preferred embodiments employ precursors in which Z is hydrocarbyl. Typical substituents on Z include alkyl substituents having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Some examples of substituents include methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, tert-butyl, phenyl, benzyl, and cyclohexyl. A particularly preferred embodiment employs a Z having 1 to 4 alkyl substituents each having 1 to 5 carbon atoms. It is also within the scope of the present invention to have the Z or Z' component have substituents which join to form another cyclic ring, especially a C 4 -C 6 ring. The reaction between the precursor for the organic radical Z and the dihaloalkylene compound can be carried out over a wide range of conditions depending upon the results desired. Typically, the precursor for the organic radical Z is reacted with an alkali metal alkyl in the presence of a suitable liquid solvent, and then the resulting Z anion is reacted with the dihaloalkylene compound in the presence of a suitable liquid solvent. The alkali metal alkyls employed could include any alkali metal alkyls capable of forming a suitable Z anion. Typically, the alkali metals would be selected from sodium, potassium, and lithium, and the alkyl would have 1 to 8, more preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Typically, the anion would be formed by dissolving the Z compound in a suitable liquid diluent and then adding the alkali metal alkyl. Techniques of forming such anions are known in the art. Typically, in the past such techniques have used as the liquid diluent a polar solvent, for example, tetrahydrofuran. The present applicants have found that non-polar solvents such as alkanes, cycloalkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, and ethers can also be employed. Some specific examples include toluene, hexane, and diethylether. After the substituted or unsubstituted Z ion has been obtained, it is reacted with the dihaloalkylene compound. The resulting product can then be washed with an aqueous saturated ammonium chloride solution, washed with water, and then the organic phase is recovered. The product can be purified by washing with a suitable liquid, by dissolving the product, and recrystallizing the product. The liquid solvent employed can be any suitable liquid. Examples of suitable liquids include diethylether, tetrahydrofuran, hydrocarbons such as pentane, hexane, and toluene, and mixtures thereof. The reaction pressure and temperatures for the processes disclosed herein are not particularly critical and can vary over a wide range depending upon the results desired. Atmospheric pressures are currently preferred although higher or lower pressures could be employed. Typically, the reaction temperatures will be in the range of -100°C to 100°C. Generally it is convenient to carry out the reactions at ambient temperature. The molar ratio of the Z anion to the dihaloalkylene or equivalent can vary over a wide range depending upon the results desired. It is also within the scope of the present invention to prepare the Z anion in a polar liquid solvent such as tetrahydrofuran and then to separate substantially all of the tetrahydrofuran from the alkali metal Z salt and then to add that solid alkali metal Z salt to a mixture of the dihaloalkylene compound in a non-polar liquid. In the formation and reaction of the Z anion in the reactions disclosed herein, it can be desirable to conduct such in the presence of compounds such as hexamethyl phosphoric triamide or propylene carbonate. When used, such compounds are generally used in an amount sufficient to improve either the yield or the speed of the reaction. Propylene carbonate is particularly favored for use with cyclopentadienyl sodium. Hexamethyl phosphoric triamide is particularly favored with cyclopentadienyl lithium. Preparation of Z-R-Z' compounds. In accordance with the invention, compounds are produced of the formula Z-R-Z', wherein Z and Z' are different and are as defined in claim 1. The process for preparing unsymmetrical Z-R-Z' compounds involves reacting the Z alkyl halide of the formula Z-R-X with the alkali metal salt of the selected Z' anion under reaction conditions comprising the use of a non-polar liquid for solving the Z' anion. The liquid diluent used in forming those solutions can be any suitable liquid, examples include those liquids named above, i.e., alkanes, cycloalkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, and ethers. Specific examples are toluene, hexane, and diethylether. The liquids may or may not comprise polar additives such as propylene carbonate, hexamethyl phosphoric triamide, etc. The resulting product can be recovered and purified using techniques of the type mentioned above. Illustrative examples of specific methods for preparing specific substituted fluorenyl compounds are provided in the following examples. A further understanding of the present invention will be provided by the following examples of some specific embodiments of the present invention. Example I Preparation of 1-methyl fluorene Two different reaction schemes have been used to prepare 1-methyl fluorene from fluoranthene. The reaction schemes can be illustrated by the following flow diagram. Both schemes involve the use of 1-carboxylic acid fluorenone as a starting material. To prepare the 1-carboxylic acid fluorenone, i.e. formula 1, 20.2 g (0.1 mole) of fluoranthene were dissolved in 150 ml of acetic acid at 90°C. At that temperature 200 ml of 30% aqueous H 2 O 2 were then added gradually. Then the reaction mixture was stirred for another 3 hours at that temperature. At the beginning of the reaction, a light yellow precipitate was formed that disappeared after some time. Then the reaction mixture was cooled to 0°C in an ice bath. An orange precipitate was formed and filtered off. The filtrate was poured into cold diluted aqueous HCl. An orange yellow precipitate was formed which was washed twice with H 2 O and then dissolved in an aqueous NH 3 solution in order to remove the unreacted fluoranthene. Then the mixture was filtered. When the filtrate was neutralized with HCl, an orange precipitate was formed. The precipitate, 1-carboxylic acid fluorenone, was filtered off and dried. The amount produced was 13.4 g. Scheme I About 0.76 g (0.02 mmole) of LiAlH 4 were suspended in a mixture of 75 ml of diethylether and 25 ml of tetrahydrofuran (dried over LiAlH 4 ). The mixture was cooled to 0°C in an ice bath. Then 1.35 g (0.01 mmole) of AlCl 3 were added in small portions, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 min. Then 4.2 g (0.02 mmole) of the carboxylic acid fluorenone dissolved in 400 ml of tetrahydrofuran were added via a dropping funnel while the reaction mixture was heated to reflux. Stirring was maintained for an additional 30 min. Then the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and the unreacted LiAlH 4 was destroyed with an aqueous solution of HCl. The organic phase was removed in vacuo. The solid, i.e. 1-hydroxymethyl fluorenone (formula 2), was recovered in the amount of 3.2 g. The raw 1-hydroxymethyl fluorenone can be used without further purification. 2 g of palladium on carbon catalyst containing about 10 weight percent Pd was weighed into a flask, and 4.2 g (0.02 mmole) of the recovered 1-methanol fluorenone were dissolved in 250 ml tetrahydrofuran and added to the flask. The hydrogenation was conducted at room temperature with a slight overpressure of H 2 until 1350 ml of H 2 was consumed. The reaction mixture was filtered, and the solvent of the filtrate was removed in vacuo. The creme-colored residue was extracted with pentane, the solution was filtered over silica, and the solvent removed in vacuo. The resulting product, 1-methyl fluorene, was a colorless solid and formed in quantitative yield. Scheme II In the second route, the 1-carboxylic acid fluorenone is reduced using the palladium carbon catalyst in the same manner as described for converting the 1-hydroxymethyl fluorenone to 1-methyl fluorene. A quantitative yield of 1-carboxylic acid fluorene, i.e. formula 3, was obtained. The volume of hydrogen consumed was 960 ml. This product was then reduced to 1-hydroxymethyl fluorene, i.e. formula 4, by using the LiAlH 4 and AlCl 3 as described for the production of the 1-hydroxymethyl fluorenone. The 1-hydroxymethyl fluorene was then reduced by using the palladium carbon catalyst and hydrogen to yield 1-methyl fluorene. Example II Preparation of 1-tert-butyl fluorene About 2 g (0.01 mmole) of 1-carboxylic acid fluorene were suspended in 50 ml of toluene. Then 4.6 ml AlMe 3 were added to the solution, and the reaction mixture was refluxed for 10 hours. Upon heating, the reaction mixture formed a homogeneous solution. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and then poured into ice-cooled diluted aqueous HCl. The organic layer was separated, washed with H 2 O, and dried over Na 2 SO 4 . Then the solvent was removed in vacuo. The colorless residue was extracted with pentane, the solution filtered over silica, and the solvent removed in vacuo. The yield of 1-tert-butyl fluorene, formula 6, was quantitative. Example III Preparation of 2-ethyl fluorene In this reaction, 2-acetyl fluorene, i.e. formula 7, was converted into 2-ethyl fluorene by hydrogenation. The hydrogenation reaction was analogous to the reaction used to convert the compound of formula 4 to the compound of formula 5. The H 2 volume used was 970 ml. After the removal of the solvent in vacuo a creme-colored solid was obtained. It was dissolved in pentane, and the solution was filtered over silica. Pentane was removed in vacuo. The yield of 2-ethyl fluorene was quantitative. Example IV Preparation of 2-tert-butyl fluorene In this reaction 2-acetyl fluorene was reacted with trimethyl aluminum. The methylation was analogous to the conversion of compound 3 to compound 6 described in Example II. However, in this case, only a two-fold excess of AlMe 3 was necessary. The 2-tert-butyl fluorene was formed as a white solid in quantitative yield. Example V Preparation of 4-methyl fluorene Two different reaction schemes have been used to prepare 4-methyl fluorene, i.e. formula 15. The schemes can be summarized as follows. Both schemes require 4-carboxylic acid fluorenone, formula 11, as a starting material. This compound was produced from phenanthrene using a procedure similar to that disclosed in J. Org. Chem. 21 , 243 (1956) except that no acetic anhydride was used. Instead, hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid were used to obtain a 67% yield of 2,2'-dicarboxylic acid biphenyl, i.e. formula 10. The biphenyl product of formula 10 was then oxidized using sulfuric acid in the manner taught in J. Am. Chem. Soc. 64 , 2845 (1942) to obtain an 82% yield of 4-carboxylic acid fluorenone, i.e. formula 11. Scheme 1 The compound of formula 11 was reduced using LiAlH 4 and AlCl 3 in the same manner as in Example I. The reaction produced an 80% yield of 4-hydroxymethyl fluorenone, i.e. formula 14, which was then reduced using hydrogen and the palladium carbon catalyst previously described. A quantitative yield of 4-methyl fluorene resulted. Scheme 2 The compound of formula 11 was reduced using hydrogen and the palladium carbon catalyst described previously. The reaction produced a quantitative yield of 4-carboxylic acid fluorene, i.e. formula 12. Reduction of this acid with LiAlH 4 and AlCl 3 resulted in an 80% yield of 4-hydroxymethyl fluorene, i.e. formula 13. This product was then reduced using hydrogen and the palladium carbon catalyst to produce a quantitative yield of 4-methyl fluorene. Example VI Preparation of 4-tert-butyl fluorene 4-carboxylic acid fluorene was reacted with trimethylaluminum generally as described in Example II to produce a 60% yield of 4-tert-butyl fluorene. Example VII Preparation of 2,7-bis(tert-butyl)-4-methyl fluorene 2,7-bis(tert-butyl)-4-methylene chloride fluorene was reduced using hydrogen and the palladium carbon catalyst to obtain a quantitative yield of 2,7-bis(tert-butyl)-4-methyl fluorene. Example VIII Preparation of 1,2-bis(9-fluorenyl)ethane About 8.3 g (0.05 m) of fluorene was dissolved in 150 ml of tetrahydrofuran. Then 31.8 ml (0.05 m) of butyl lithium (1.6 molar in hexane) were added dropwise to this solution. After one hour, 2.3 ml (0.25 mole) of dibromoethane in 25 ml of tetrahydrofuran were added. The solution was stirred for 3 hours. The yellow solution was washed with 50 ml of an aqueous NH 4 Cl solution (5 g NH 4 Cl/50 ml H 2 O), then washed with 50 ml of water, and then the organic phase was dried over Na 2 SO 4 . Then the solvent was removed in vacuo. The light yellow residue was washed twice with 25 ml of pentane. The resulting product was white. The yield was 12.5 g, i.e. a yield of about 70%, based on the moles of fluorene reacted. The product was confirmed through 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, mass spectroscopy, and gas chromatography. Example IX Preparation of 1-bromo-2-(fluorenyl)ethane In this reaction, 8.3 g (0.05 mole) of fluorene were dissolved in 150 ml of tetrahydrofuran. Then 31.8 ml (0.05 mole) of butyl lithium (1.6 molar in hexane) were added dropwise to this solution. After one hour, this solution was added gradually to a stirred solution of 9 ml (0.1 mole) of dibromoethane in 300 ml of pentane within 2 hours. Then the reaction mixture was treated with 50 ml of an aqueous NH 4 Cl solution, and then washed with 50 ml of water. The organic phase was dried over Na 2 SO 4 . Then the solvent was removed in vacuo. The yellow residue was dissolved in pentane. The pentane solution was filtered over silica. The solution was concentrated to about 20% of the original volume, and then the product was crystallized at -30°C. A yield of 10.88 g of 1-bromo-2-(fluorenyl)ethane was obtained. The product was characterized through 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, and mass spectroscopy. Example X Other bromo, fluorenyl alkyl compounds Reactions similar to that set forth in Example IX have been carried out substituting other dihalo alkyls for 1,2-dibromo ethane. Examples of such other dihalo compounds include 1,3-dibromopropane, 1,2-di-bromo-2-methyl ethane, and dichloro methane. The corresponding fluorenyl alkyl halides were obtained. Example XI Other bis-fluorenyl compounds Reactions similar to that set forth in Example VIII were carried out by substituting other X-R-X compounds for dibromo ethane. Examples of such other dibromo compounds include 1,3-dibromo propane; dibromo methane; 1,2-di-bromo-2-methyl ethane; and dimethyl dibromo silane, i.e. BrSi(CH 3 ) 2 Br. In each case, di-fluorenyl compounds were obtained in which the fluorenyl radicals were connected by the bridge remnant of the dihalo compound. Example XII Reactions similar to that set forth in Example VIII were carried out by substituting alkyl-substituted fluorene compounds for the unsubstituted fluorene. Examples of the substituted fluorenes used included 1-tert butyl fluorene, 1-methyl fluorene, 2-ethyl fluorene, 2-tert butyl fluorene, 4-methyl fluorene, 1-methyl-4-methyl fluorene, 1-tert butyl-4-tert butyl fluorene, 2-tert butyl-7-tert butyl fluorene, 2,7-di-tert-butyl-4-methyl fluorene, and 4-tert butyl fluorene. In each case, a bis(substituted fluorenyl) alkane was obtained in which the fluorenyl groups corresponded to the respective substituted fluorene compound. Example XIII Preparation of fluorene (CH 2 ) 2 cyclopentadiene Cyclopentadiene was reacted with butyl lithium in tetrahydrofuran to yield cyclopentadienyl lithium. A solution of 0.02 mole cyclopentadienyl lithium in 150 ml of tetrahydrofuran at (-40°C) and a solution of fluorenyl (CH 2 ) 2 Br in 50 ml of THF were mixed together at room temperature. Then 10 ml of hexamethyl phosphine triamide (HMPT) were added. After three hours stirring at room temperature, this solution was washed with 50 ml of an aqueous NH 4 Cl solution, then washed with 50 ml of water, and then the organic phase was dried over Na 2 SO 4 . The solvent was removed in vacuo. The resulting (fluorenyl) ethane (cyclopentadienyl) can be purified by dissolving in pentane and then crystallizing. The product was characterized using mass spectroscopy and gas chromatography. Example XIV Reactions similar to that described in Example XIII were carried out substituting other fluorenyl bromo alkanes for the fluorenyl bromo ethanes. Examples of the other bromo alkanes used include 1-fluorenyl-3-bromo propane 2,7-di-tert-butyl fluorenyl, and 1-methyl-2-fluorenyl-1-bromo ethane. The corresponding alkyl-bridged fluorenyl-cyclopentadienyl compounds were obtained. Example XV Reactions similar to that described in Examples XIII and XIV were carried out using either methylcyclopentadiene, substituted fluorene, or indene, instead of cyclopentadiene but without HMPT. Such reactions produced the following compounds: 1-(fluorenyl)-2-(indenyl) ethane, 1-(fluorenyl)-2-(methylcyclopentadienyl) ethane, 1-(fluorenyl)-3-(indenyl) propane, 1-(fluorenyl)-3-(methylcyclopentadienyl) propane, 1-(fluorenyl)-2-(methyl)-2-(indenyl) ethane, and 1-(fluorenyl)-2-(methyl)-2-(methylcyclopentadienyl) ethane, 1-(1-methyl fluorenyl)-2-(4-methyl fluorenyl) ethane, 1-(1-t-butyl fluorenyl)-2-(4-t-butyl fluorenyl) ethane, and 1-(2,7-di-tert-butyl fluorenyl)-2-fluorenyl ethane.

Claims: A method for producing compounds of the formula Z-R-Z', wherein Z and Z' are different and Z is unsubstituted or substituted fluorenyl and Z' is unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl, substituted cyclopentadienyl, unsubstituted indenyl, substituted indenyl, tetrahydro indenyl, unsubstituted fluorenyl, or substituted fluorenyl, and wherein R is an alkylene radical containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms, said radical optionally having in the alkylene main chain an element selected from Sn, Ge, Si, B, P, or Al, or wherein R is a bridging unit derived from compounds such as dihalo compounds of Sn, Ge, Si, B, Al, and P, the method comprising the steps of: (i) reacting an alkali metal salt of the Z anion with a dihalo compound of the formula X-R-X by adding said Z anion salt gradually to said dihalo compound to produce a compound of the formula Z-R-X, wherein X is F, Cl, Br, or I; and (ii) reacting the compound of the formula Z-R-X with the alkali metal salt of the Z' anion under reaction conditions comprising the use of a non-polar liquid for solving the Z' anion, with the proviso that compounds in which Z and Z' are separated by one carbon atom only are excluded. The method of claim 1, wherein R is -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 -, or - -CH 2 CH(CH 3 )-. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Z is unsubstituted fluorenyl and/or Z' is unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl. A method according to any of claims 1 to 3, said method comprising (i) reacting a precursor for the radical Z with an alkali metal alkyl to produce the corresponding Z anion, and (ii) contacting the thus obtained Z anion with a solution of a dihalo compound of the formula X-R-X in a non-polar solvent. The method of claim 4, wherein (i) the Z anion is prepared in a polar solvent such as THF; (ii) the THF is subsequently separated from the Z anion to recover same; and (iii) the Z anion is added as a solid to the dihalo compound in a non-polar liquid. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the molar ratio of the Z anion to the compound of the formula X-R-X is no greater than about 1/1 and said Z anion and said X-R-X are contacted in the presence of a non-polar liquid solvent for the Z anion. The method according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the Z anion is prepared by reacting a lithium alkyl with flourene. The method according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein R contains 2 to 4 carbon atoms in the main chain. The method of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein Z is alkyl-substituted fluorenyl.

Inventors: ALT HELMUT PROF DR, PALACKAL SYRIAC JOSEPH DR, PATSIDIS KONSTANTINOS, ALT, HELMUT, PROF. DR., PALACKAL, SYRIAC JOSEPH, DR., PATSIDIS, KONSTANTINOS
Applicants: PHILLIPS PETROLEUM CO, PHILLIPS PETROLEUM COMPANY
Application year: 1992
Main classification: C07C13
IPC codes: C08F110, C07C22, C08F210, C07F7, C07C1, C07F17, C07C49, B01J31, C08F4, C07C13, C07C17, C07F9, C07C65, C07C51, C07C63, C08F10