Academic literature on the topic 'Olefin oxidation'

Thesis: Ph. D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Chemistry, 2014.<br>Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. Vita.<br>Includes bibliographical references.<br>Chapter 1 describes work toward solid-supported W olefin metathesis catalysts. Attempts to tether derivatives of the known Z-selective catalyst W(NAr)(C₃H₆)(pyr)(OHIPT) (Ar = 2,6- diisopropylphenyl, pyr = pyrrolide; HIPT = 2,6-bis-(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)phenyl) to a modified silica surface by covalent linkages are unsuccessful due to destructive interactions between W precursors and silica. W(NAr)(C₃H₆)(pyr)(OHIPT) and W(NAr)(CHCMe₂Ph)(pyr)(OHIPT-NMe₂) (HIPT-NMe 2 = 2,6-bis-(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)-4- dimethylaminophenyl) are adsorbed onto calcined alumina. W(NAr)(C 3H6 )(pyr)(OHIPT) is destroyed upon binding to alumina, while W(NAr)(CHCMe 2Ph)(pyr)(OHIPT-NMe 2) appears to bind through a non-destructive interaction between the dimethylamino group and an acidic surface site. The heterogeneous catalysts perform non-stereoselective metathesis of terminal olefins, and W(NAr)(CHCMe₂Ph)(pyr)(OHIPT-NMe₂) can be washed off the surface with polar solvent and perform solution-phase Z-selective metathesis. Chapter 2 details selective metathesis homocoupling of 1,3-dienes with Mo and W monoalkoxide pyrrolide (MAP) catalysts. A catalytically relevant vinylalkylidene complex, Mo(NAr)(CHCHCH(CH₃)₂)(Me₂pyr)(OHMT) (HMT = 2,6-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)phenyl; Me₂pyr = 2,5-dimethylpyrrolide), is isolated. A series of Mo and W MAP catalysts is synthesized and tested for activity, stereoselectivity, and chemoselectivity in 1,3-diene metathesis homocoupling. Catalysts containing the OHIPT ligand display excellent selectivity in general, and W catalysts are less active but more selective than their Mo counterparts. Chapter 3 recounts the synthesis and characterization of several heteroatom-substituted alkylidene complexes with the formula Mo(NAr)(CHER)(Me₂pyr)(OTPP) (TPP = 2,3,5,6- tetraphenylphenyl; ER = OPr, N-pyrrolidinonyl, N-carbazolyl, pinacolborato, trimethylsilyl, SPh, or PPh2). Synthesis proceeds via alkylidene exchange between Mo(NAr)(CHR)(Me₂pyr)(OTPP) (R = H, CMe₂Ph) and a CH₂CHER precursor. Each complex behaves similarly to known MAP complexes in olefin metathesis processes; the electronic identity of ER has little effect on catalytic properties. Distinctive features of alkylidene isomerism and catalyst resting state are examined. Chapter 4 contains synthetic and catalytic studies of thiolate-containing Mo and W imido alkylidene complexes. The species M(NAr)(CHCMe 2Ph)(pyr)(SHMT) (M = Mo or W), Mo(NAr)(CHCMe₂Ph)(Me₂pyr)(STPP), and Mo(NAr)(CHCMe₂Ph)(STPP)₂ are synthesized by substitution of the appropriate thiol or thiolate ligands for pyrrolide or triflate ligands in metal precursors. These complexes show similar structural and spectral characteristics to alkoxidecontaining species. The thiolate complexes and their alkoxide analogues are compared for activity and selectivity in metathesis homocoupling and ring-opening metathesis polymerization processes. In general, thiolate catalysts are slower and less selective than alkoxide catalysts.<br>by Erik Matthew Townsend.<br>Ph. D.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Chemistry, 2012.<br>Vita. Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.<br>Includes bibliographical references.<br>Chapter 1: Reaction of W(CCMe3)Cl 3(dme) with one equivalent of (3,5-Me 2C6H3NCH2CH 2)3N)Li3 affords yellow, crystalline W(CCMe3)(N3N) in good yield. The reactivity of this new alkylidyne complex towards terminal alkynes was investigated. Two other new tungsten alkylidynes, W(CCMe3)(pyr) 3 (pyr = 2,5-dimethylpyrrolide) and W(CCMe3)(Ph 2N)3 were prepared by the addition of three equivalents of lithium dimethylpyrrolide or lithium diphenylamide, respectively, to W(CCMe3)Cl 3(dme). The reactivity of these new alkylidynes with various alcohols is reported. The reactivity of several tungsten alkylidyne compounds towards ligand displacement by surface silanols is reported, resulting in the synthesis of several new silicasupported tungsten alkylidynes. The alkyne metathesis activity of all new homogeneous and heterogeneous alkylidyne complexes is reported. Chapter 2: Addition of one equivalent of 2,4,6,2',4',6'-hexaisopropylterphenol to Mo(NAd)(CHCMe 2Ph)(pyr)2 results in the formation of Mo(NAd)(CHCMe 2Ph)(pyr)(HIPTO) (HIPTO = hexaisopropylterphenoxide). This new alkylidene compound was found to catalyze the metathesis of 1-hexene in 20% yield to 95% cis 5-decene, which represents the first report of highly Z-selective metathesis homocoupling of a terminal olefin. The decomposition of the catalyst in the presence of ethylene is explored. The syntheses of several new bulky achiral phenoxide ligands are presented, along with the syntheses of the corresponding MAP (monoalkoxide monopyrrolide) molybdenum imido alkylidene compounds. The reactivity of new MAP compounds containing bulky phenoxide ligands towards the Z-selective metathesis of terminal and internal olefins is presented. The cis-selectivity of this system is proposed to arise from the combination of a relatively small imido ligand in conjunction with a very bulky alkoxide forcing the substituents of the substrate to point in this same direction with each insertion. Photolysis of MAP compounds with 366 nm radiation was found to produce significant amounts of anti alkylidenes, and the kinetics of decay of unstable anti alkylidenes are investigated. Chapter 3: The reaction of 2,3-dicarbomethoxynorbomadiene (DCMNBD) with Mo(NAd)(CHCMe 2Ph)(pyr)(HIPTO) (Ad = 1-adamantyl, HIPTO = hexaisopropylterphenoxide) affords >98% cis, >98% tactic polyDCMNBD. The tacticity of this polymer is proved to be syndiotactic through polymerization of DCMenthNBD (2,3-dicarbomenthoxynorbomadiene) and IH- H COSY. A variety of related MAP alkylidene compounds are also investigated towards the ROMP of DCMNBD and found to produce polyDCMNBD in a range of tacticities and cis contents. Highly cis polyNBDF6 (poly-bis(CF 3)-norbomadiene) was also prepared using molybdenum MAP compounds, and the resulting polymer was found to be essentially insoluble in common organic solvents. Solid state CPMAS 13C NMR spectroscopy revealed insoluble polyNBDF6 to be highly tactic, and the tacticity is proposed to be syndiotactic. Cis, tactic polymer was prepared through the addition of 3,3-methylphenylcyclopropene (MPCP) to molybdenum MAP compounds. Attempts towards determination of the tacticity of cispolyMPCP are presented, including the synthesis of three 3,3-disubstituted cyclopropene monomers containing chiral tags. The cis-selective ROMP of cyclooctene and 1,5- cyclooctadiene are reported. The syndioselectivity of the catalysts is proposed to be controlled by the configuration of the 4-coordinate metal center, which alternates with each insertion of monomer. Chapter 4: Racemic 2,3-dicarbomethoxynorbornene (rac-DCMNBE) is polymerized by Mo(NAd)(CHCMe 2Ph)(pyr)(HMTO) (Ad = 1-adamantyl, pyr = pyrrolide, HMTO = hexamethylterphenoxide) to afford an all-cis polymer that is syndiotactic and composed of alternating enantiomers. The cis, syndiotactic ROMP of several other racemic chiral monomers are reported, also affording structures containing a high degree of enantiomer alteration. Attempts towards the alternating copolymerization of two different monomers are reported. The ROMP of enantiomerically pure (+)-dicarbomethoxynorbornene with Mo(NAd)(CHCMe 2Ph)(pyr)(HIPTO) leads to the production of 92% trans-isotactic polyDCMNBE. The structure of trans-isotactic polyDCMNBD is proved through hydrogenation and comparison of its 3C NMR spectrum with that of known cis-isotactic polyDCMNBE. Both cis/syndiotactic/alternating poly-rac-DCMNBE and trans/isotactic poly-(+)-DCMNBE are polymer structures that have not been previously reported. The thermal properties of all new polymers and their hydrogenated counterparts are reported and are found to correlate closely with polymer structure.<br>by Margaret McGuigan Flook.<br>Ph.D.

The study and the development of innovative metal-catalysed systems for the oxygenation of organic molecules with sustainable oxidants, and especially molecular oxygen, O2, or hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, is a very attractive perspective for the Chemical Industry. In the Thesis project, different strategies have been addressed to implement benchmark oxidative transformations, including the autooxidation of benzylic derivatives, the hydroxylation of aromatic hydrocarbons and the epoxidation of olefins. In all cases, the research approach has been based on some key issues, namely the integrated use of: i) bulk oxidants with low environmental impact, such as O2 and H2O2; ii) multi-metallic catalysts with thermal, hydrolytic and oxidative resistance, tailored functionality and solubility; iii) heterogeneous catalysis techniques with membrane-based hybrid organic-inorganic functional materials and solvent-free protocols; iv) microwave irradiation and/or photoirradiation as non-conventional activation techniques, v) multiple catalysis techniques, with sequential and/or parallel processes (Concurrent Tandem Catalysis). The choice of the catalyst package has been established within the class of molecular polyanionic metals oxides clusters, known as polyoxometalates (POMs), with general formula [XxMmOy]q-, where M is the main metallic component (Mo, V, W) and X is an eventual heteroatom such as P or Si. These complexes offer a unique opportunity because of their prevalent inorganic, robust nature, and high versatility in terms of structure, chemical composition, electron density and polyanionic charge. Moreover, a rewarding approach has been recently devised for the catalyst upgrade, by decorating the POM scaffold with organic domains, yielding hybrid organic-inorganic catalysts with superior performances. Since fluorinated phases are of particular interest for performing oxidative transformations, the research activity has been focused on the synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of novel fluorous-tagged polyoxometalates. Two diverse synthetic approaches have been adopted, based on counterion metathesis and on the covalent functionalization of the POM inorganic surface. With the first strategy, the decatungstate polyanion (W10O32)4- has been isolated in the presence of a fluorous-tagged tetraalkylammonium cation, yielding the fluorophilic salt ?[CF3(CF2)7(CH2)3]3CH3N}4W10O32 , (RfN4W10). Decatungstate is known to be an efficient initiator of autooxidation pathways under photoirradiation, in a oxygen atmosphere. Therefore, the photocatalyzed oxidation of benzylic hydrocarbons, including ethylbenzene and cumene, by RfN4W10 and O2, has been performed in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP), both in homogeneous and heterogeneous conditions. The application of membrane technology for the heterogeneous catalysis, in particular, offers the combination of advanced molecular separation and selective transport properties, with the reactivity on a solid support. The photocatalyst heterogenisation has thus been obtained by incorporation of RfN4W10 in perfluorinated polymeric films of HYFLON AD 60X, thus providing novel hybrid materials to be employed and recycled in multi-turnover processes, in solvent-free conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the film surface and cross-section highlight a highly dispersed, homogeneous distribution of the catalyst domains which appear as spherical particles with uniform size of approximately 2-3 ?m in diameter. Furthermore, in particular conditions, a porous membrane has been obtained, allowing the use of a continuous flow reactor. In the conditions explored, the photooxygenation by (RfN)4W10O32 yields the benzylic hydroperoxide and the corresponding alcohol and ketone. Noteworthy, tetraline and indane photooxygenation proceeds with TON>6000 and remarkable alcohol selectivity, thus providing a convenient alternative to other radical-centered oxygenation systems. Fluorous-tagged polyoxometalates have also been synthesised through a covalent functionalization approach. This alternative strategy employs vacant polyoxotungstates and the fluorinated organosilyl chloride CF3(CF2)7CH2CH2SiCl3 (RfSiCl3) to afford hybrid derivatives through the covalent attachment of the organic groups on the POM surface. The resulting complexes, with general formula Q4[(RfSi)xOySiWwOz], isolated as tetrabutylammonium (Q+) salts, have been characterised and used as catalysts for the epoxidation of different olefins in the presence of H2O2. Kinetic and mechanistic studies have provided several insights on the synergistic effect between the catalysts and the fluorinated solvent used, the hexafluoro-isopropanol (HFIP). Noteworthy, under microwave irradiation, the epoxide is produced with quantitative yield and only after 20 minutes, even for terminal olefins. A further aspect concerns the self-assembly of the POM-based fluorous-tagged amphiphiles. Aggregation phenomena in HFIP solution have been studied by DLS and monitored in the solid state by electronic microscopy. The upgrade to heterogeneous catalysis has also been achieved through the covalent functionalization approach. In this case, the vacant polyoxotungstate has been reacted with the organo silyl chloride CH2=CH(CH2)6SiCl3 (RSiCl3), bearing a terminal alkene residues. The morphology and structure of the resulting hybrid materials have been tuned upon variation of comonomers and porogenic solvents ratio. Interestingly, the hybrid polymer swells in fluorinated alcohols, where the epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene, occurs with quantitative yield after 15 min. Finally, POM-based catalysis has also been applied to the synthesis of phenol which is one of the most valuable intermediate and commodity chemical on the market. To this aim the research activity has been focussed on the implementing both the autoxidation pathway, and the direct mono-hydroxylation of benzene. (i) The application of Tandem Catalysis techniques, so to exploit the membrane-based photocatalytic production of the cumene hydroperoxide and foster its decomposition to phenol through a second step by a acid POM catalyst; (ii) the screening of several molybdovanadate catalyst to be used with H2O2 for benzene hydroxylation. In the first case, the POM mediated tandem catalysis yields 63% phenol with respect to the initial amount of cumyl-hydroperoxide.; in the second case, with the vanadium mono-substituted undecamolybdate, H4Mo11VO40, an improvement of literature results has been obtained through reaction optimization, thus giving: 17 % conversion of benzene at 50°C in CH3CN, with selectivity = 90 % and TOF = 22.5 h-1.<br>Lo studio e lo sviluppo di sistemi metallo-catalizzati innovativi per l’ossidazione di molecole organiche con ossidanti sostenibili, specialmente ossigeno molecolare, O2, o acqua ossigenata, H2O2, è una prospettiva di grande attrazione per l’Industria Chimica. Nel progetto di Tesi di Dottorato, sono state sviluppate diverse strategie allo scopo di effettuare trasformazioni ossidative di riferimento quali l’autoossidazione di derivati benzilici, l’idrossilazione di idrocarburi aromatici e l’epossidazione di olefine. In tutti i casi, l’approccio alla ricerca si è basato su alcuni aspetti chiave che prevedono l’utilizzo integrato di: i) ossidanti a basso impatto ambientale quali O2 e H2O2; ii) catalizzatori multi-metallici ad elevata resistenza termica, idrolitica ed ossidativa; iii) tecniche di catalisi eterogenea per mezzo di materiali funzionali ibridi organici-inorganici costituiti da membrane catalitiche a matrice polimerica e protocolli che non prevedano l’impiego di solventi organici; iv) microonde o radiazioni fotochimiche quali tecniche di attivazione non convenzionali; v) tecniche di catalisi multipla con processi sequenziali e/o paralleli (Tandem Catalisi). I catalizzatori impiegati appartengono alla classe degli ossidi polianionici metallici, detti poliossometallati (POMs), aventi formula generale [XxMmOy]q-, dove M è il componente metallico principale (Mo, V, W) e X è un eventuale eteroatomo (P o Si). Questi complessi sono molto vantaggiosi come catalizzatori perché di natura inorganica, resistenti e sono modulabili in termini di struttura, composizione chimica, densità elettronica e carica polianionica. Particolarmente interessante è la possibilità di funzionalizzare la porzione inorganica con domìni di natura organica, potendo così ottenere catalizzatori ibridi organici-inorganici dalle prestazioni catalitiche migliori. Poiché le fasi fluorurate sono di particolare interesse per ciò che concerne le trasformazioni ossidative, l’attività di ricerca si è focalizzata sulla sintesi, caratterizzazione e attività catalitica di nuovi poliossometallati fluorurati. Sono state seguite due strategie di sintesi differenti basate sulla metatesi di controcatione e sulla funzionalizzazione covalente di superfici di POM inorganici. Con la prima strategia è stato isolato il polianione decatungstato (W10O32)4- con un controcatione tetraalchilammonio fluorurato ottenedo il sale fluorofilico ?[CF3(CF2)7(CH2)3]3CH3N}4W10O32 , (RfN4W10). Il decatungstato è noto per la sua capacità di essere iniziatore di processi radicalici se fotoirradiato in atmosfera di ossigeno. L’ossidazione fotocatalitica di etilbenzene ed altri idrocarburi benzilici tramite RfN4W10 e O2 è stata condotta in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanolo (HFIP), sia in omogeneo che in fase eterogenea. L’applicazione della tecnologia delle membrane per la catalisi eterogenea offre, in particolare, numerosi vantaggi in termini di combinazioni di avanzati processi di separazione molecolare con proprietà di trasporto selettive, insieme alla reattività su supporti solidi. L’eterogeneizzazione del fotocatalizzatore è stata così ottenuta per incorporazione di RfN4W10 in film polimerici perfluorurati di HYFLON AD 60X, ottenendo così nuovi materiali ibridi da impiegare e reciclare in processi “multi-turnover” ed in assenza di solventi. Immagini di microscopia elettronica a scansione (SEM) della superficie e della sezione del film evidenziano una distribuzione omogenea ed altamente dispersa dei domini catalitici che appaiono come particelle sferiche a dimensioni uniformi e di diametro pari a circa 2-3 ?m. Inoltre, in condizioni controllate, è stato possibile ottenere una membrana porosa da poter utilizzare in un reattore a flusso continuo. Nelle condizioni testate, la fotoossigenazione con (RfN)4W10O32 dà benzilidroperossido ed il corrispondente alcool e chetone. E’importante evidenziare come la fotoossigenazione di tetralina ed indano proceda con TON>6000 e con una elevata selettività in alcool, fornendo così un’ importante alternativa ad altri sistemi di ossigenazione basati su meccanismi di tipo radicalico. Poliossometallati fluorurati sono stati sintetizzati anche tramite l’approccio di funzionalizzazione covalente. Questa strategia prevede l’impiego di poliossotungstati lacunari e organosilil cloruri CF3(CF2)7CH2CH2SiCl3 (RfSiCl3) a dare derivati ibridi per mezzo dell’attacco covalente dei gruppi organici sulla superficie del POM. I complessi finali risultanti, con formula generale Q4[(RfSi)xOySiWwOz], isolati come sali di tetrabutilammonio (Q+) sono stati caratterizzati ed impiegati come catalizzatori per l’epossidazione di diverse olefine in presenza di H2O2. Studi cinetici e meccanicistici hanno fornito diverse indicazioni circa l’esistenza di un effetto sinergico fra i catalizzatori e il solvente per fluorurato utilizzato (HFIP). E’importante sottolineare come questa reazione attivata da microonde produca epossido in rese quantitative dopo soli 20 minuti anche per le olefine terminali. Ulteriori aspetti trattati riguardano le caratteristiche auto-assemblanti di questi complessi fluorurati anfifilici. Fenomeni di aggregazione in soluzione di HFIP sono stati studiati tramite DLS e tramite microscopia elettronica allo stato solido. Anche l’eterogeneizzazione di questo sistema è stata ottenuta tramite l’approccio di funzionalizzazione covalente. In questo caso, il poliossotungstato lacunare è stato fatto reagire con un silano che porta una catena alchilica insatura terminale: CH2=CH(CH2)6SiCl3 (RSiCl3). La morfologia e la struttura del materiale ibrido risultante sono state modulate attraverso la variazione del rapporto dei solventi porogenici e dei comonomeri impiegati nella miscela di polimerizzazione. Il polimero ibrido finale presenta l’interessante proprietà di rigonfiare in alcool fluorurati, dove l’epossidazione di cis-cicloottene avviene con rese quantitative in 15 minuti. Infine, è stato studiato il processo POM-catalizzato per la sintesi di fenolo: uno degli intermedi e commodity a più alto valore di mercato. A questo scopo l’attività di ricerca è stata incentrata sullo studio sia del processo autoossidativo, sia della mono-idrossilazione diretta del benzene. (i) L’applicazione di tecniche di Tandem Catalisi, allo scopo di sfruttare la produzione con sistema a membrana foto catalitica del cumilidroperossido da cumene, e promuoverne la sua decomposizione a fenolo in un secondo stadio con un catalizzatore POM-acido, (ii) lo screening di diversi molibdovanadati come catalizzatori da usare con H2O2 per l’idrossilazione di benzene. Nel primo caso, la Tandem Catalisi permette di ottenere una resa in fenolo pari a 63% rispetto alle moli iniziali di cumilidroperossido, nel secondo caso, con H4Mo11VO40 si ha un miglioramento dei dati di letteratura per ottimizzazione della reazione con 17% di conversione, selettività = 90% e TOF = 22.5 h-1.

Thesis: Ph. D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Chemistry, 2015.<br>Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.<br>Includes bibliographical references.<br>Chapter 1 details the synthesis of tungsten imidoalkylidene compounds bearing strongly electron-withdrawing imido ligands. An alternative synthesis involving the treatment of WCl6 with 4 equivalents of N-trimethylsilyl-substituted anilines and subsequent workup with 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) has been employed to form complexes of the type W(NAr)2C12(dme); syntheses employing WO2C 2(dme) as the tungsten precursor were unsuccessful. Alkylation with neopentylmagnesium chloride (ClMgNp) and subsequent treatment with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (HOTf) affords imidoalkylidene species W(NAr)(CHCMe 3)(OTf)2(dme) (OTf = trifluoromethanesulfonate); analogous neophylidene ([W]CHCMe 2Ph) species could not be made under these conditions. Treatment of these compounds with two equivalents of LiO(2,6-(CHCPh 2)C6H3)-Et2O affords the bisaryloxide complexes of the type W(NAr)(CHCMe3)(OR)2. Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) studies using a series of these bisaryloxides show that rates of ROMP increase as the electron-withdrawing power of the substituents on the imido ligand increase if steric bulk about the metal center is held constant. A similar trend between two bisaryloxides is observed for anti-to-syn alkylidene rotation rates at 50*C in toluene-d8 . Difficulties synthesizing bis-pyrrolide complexes of the type W(NAr)(CHCMe3)(pyr)2 precluded their use as catalyst precursors; some MAP species containing the more sterically encumbering 2,5-dimethylpyrrolide ligand are presented and the metathesis activity of MAP species bearing the 2,5-dimethylpyrrolide ligand is discussed. Chapter 2 introduces Mo and W complexes bearing the current extreme in sterically bulky imido ligands, the NHIPT (HIPT = 2,6-(2,4,6-iPr 3CH2)CH3) ligand, in an effort to generate all anti alkylidene species. A non-traditional synthetic route is employed in order to install this ligand first as an anilide, and after subsequent proton transfer, as an imido ligand to form a mixed imido species of the type M(NHIPT)(N'Bu)(NH'Bu)Cl. Addition of one equivalent of 2,6-lutidinium chloride, followed by alkylation affords dialkyl species M(NHIPT)(N'Bu)Np 2, and treatment with three equivalents of pyridinium chloride yields all anti imidoalkylidene dichloride species as mono-pyridine adducts, M(NHIPT)(CHCMe 3)C 2(py) (M = Mo, W). General reactivity, including strategies for removal of the pyridine adduct as well as substitution and metathesis chemistry, are discussed. ROMP of MPCP (MPCP = 3-methyl-3-phenylcyclopropene) by a Mo-based MAP species bearing the NHIPT ligand yields predominantly cis,syndiotactic poly(MPCP) and in the homo-metathesis of 1 -octene yields ~81% cis-7-tetradecene. The possible source of trans olefinic product is addressed. Chapter 3 presents the synthesis of the first (1-adamantyl)imido species of tungsten. The functional equivalent of common bisimido precursors for other Mo/W alkylidene species, [W(NAd) 2C 2(AdNH2)1 2, is shown to be a dimer stabilized by hydrogen-bonding interactions between adamantylamine protons and adjacent chlorides bound to the second metal of the dimer. Subsequent alkylation with ClMgNp affords the expected dialkyl species, and treatment with three equivalents of 3,5-lutidinium chloride affords imidoalkylidene complex W(NAd)(CHCMe 3)(C) 2(lut)2 (lut = 3,5-dimethylpyridine). The most desirable synthetic route toward monoalkoxide pyrrolide (MAP) species proceeds through a monoaryloxide monochloride intermediate W(NAd)(CHCMe 3)(Cl)(OAr)(lut) (Ar = 2,6-(2,4,6-Me 3)C6H3, 2,6-(2,4,6-'Pr 3)C6H3). Removal of lutidine with B(C6 F5 )3 and subsequent treatment with lithium pyrrolide affords W(NAd)(CHCMe3)(pyr)(OAr) (pyr = pyrrolide); 2,5-dimethylpyrrolide analogues (W(NAd)(CHCMe3)(Me2pyr)(OAr) can be accessed via protonolysis by HOAr from W(NAd)(CHCMe3)(Me2pyr)2(lut).<br>by Jonathan Clayton Axtell.<br>Ph. D.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Chemistry, 2004.<br>Vita.<br>Includes bibliographical references.<br>Enantiomerically pure molybdenum imido alkylidene complexes of the type Mo(NAr)(CHCMe₂Ph)[Ar'](THF), which contained 3,3'-diaryl (Ar' = Mes (21), Ph (22)) substituted binaphtholate ligands, were prepared and structurally characterized. Complex 21 was a trigonal bipyramidal anti alkylidene complex; both 21 and 22 were anti-THF adducts. Temperature and concentration dependent enantioselective desymmetrization of prochiral trienes by catalyst 21 afforded five- and six-membered heterocycles in >90% conversion and >90% ee. Consumption of the six-membered substrate followed pseudo first-order kinetics. The new catalyst was compatible with a variety of common functional groups. The longevity of the catalysts depended on the concentration of ethylene in solution. The resting state of the catalytic cycle, unsubstituted molybdacyclobutane 70, slowly decomposed to yield propylene. This observation suggests that β-hydride elimination can compete with bimolecular coupling of methylene complexes under some conditions. Chapter 2: Racemic and enantiomerically pure tungsten imido alkylidene complexes, W(NAr)-(CHCMe₂Ph)(Biphen) (23a, Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃) and W(NAr')(CHCMe₂Ph)(Biphen) (23b, Ar' = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃) were prepared and shown to be viable catalysts for representative asymmetric ring- closing metathesis reactions. Both catalysts were compatible with a variety of common functional groups. Intermediate tungstacyclobutane complexes were observed when a stoichiometric amount of desymmetrization substrate 62 was added to 23a. The final stable complex 78, formed between the ring-closed product and a tungsten methylene complex, was structurally characterized. Isotopic labeling experiments with ¹³C₂H₄ allowed the observation of<br>(cont.) unsubstituted tungstacyclobutane complexes (82), ethylene complexes (84), tungstacyclopentane complexes (86), and a heterochiral methylene dimer (85a). The tungstacyclopentane complexes catalyzed slow dimerization of ethylene to 1-butene. The observation of the methylene dimer provides the first direct evidence of a bimolecular decomposition pathway for methylene complexes. Chapter 3 Racemic and enantiomerically pure molybdenum alkylimido alkylidene complexes, Mo(NAd)(CHCMe₂Ph)(Biphen) (19d, Ad = 1-adamantyl) and Mo(NAd)(CHCMe₂Ph)[Trip]-(THF) (20d) were prepared and structurally characterized. Complex 19d was observed almost exclusively as a syn alkylidene isomer, in contrast with 20d which was observed almost exclusively as an anti-THF adduct. Complexes 19d and 20d are the only reported chiral alkylimido alkylidene complexes for enantioselective olefin metathesis reactions. Complex 19d is the first crystallographically characterized four-coordinate adamantylimido alkylidene complex in its base-free form. It offers unique reactivity and selectivity profiles in tandem AROM/RCM and AROM/CM reactions. Complex 19d is compatible with a variety of common functional groups, including boron-containing reagents. Van't Hoff analyses suggest that the bias toward syn-19d isomer is entropy-driven. Chapter 4: Solvent- and base-free molybdenum methylene complexes, Mo(NAr)(Biphen)(CH₂) (114a, Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃) and Mo(NAd)(Biphen)(CH₂) (114d, Ad = 1-adamantyl) ...<br>by W.C. Peter Tsang.<br>Ph.D.