Preparation and characterization of a ruthenium(II) catalyst for radical polymerization of olefins.

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Date

2003-04-17

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Abstract

A ruthenium(II) complex TpRu(CO)(CH3)(NCCH3) (Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate) was prepared from TpRu(CO)2(CH3) by refluxing in acetonitrile with (CH3)3NO. Heating a solution of TpRu(CO)(CH3)(NCCH3) in CDCl3 to 50 oC with various equivalents of CD3CN indicates that the Ru-NCCH3 undergoes exchange with CD3CN and is independent of CD3CN concentration. Reactions with styrene or methyl methacrylate in the presence of catalytic quantities of TpRu(CO)(CH3)(NCCH3) at 90 °C result in the production of polystyrene and polymethyl methacrylate, respectively. An inverse dependence of polystyrene molecular weight on concentration of added cumene indicates that a radical polymerization mechanism is likely. In addition, the polymerization of styrene or methyl methacrylate occurs in the presence of carbon tetrachloride or methyl dichloroacetate with catalytic quantities of TpRu(CO)(CH3)(NCCH3) at 90&deg. In both cases, polymer conversion rates are sluggish and molecular weight distributions are broad. The slow reaction rates are attributed to a high Ru(III/II) redox couple that favors Ru(II). Reactions with TpRu(CO)(CH3)(NCCH3) in benzene charged with ethylene at 90 °C do not produce polyethylene. Rather, catalytic synthesis of ethylbenzene as well as 1,3- and 1,4-diethylbenzene is observed.

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Keywords

controlled radical polymerization, atom transfer radical polymerization, ruthenium catalyst, polymerization of olefins, TpRu(CO)(CH3)(NCCH3)

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Degree

MS

Discipline

Chemistry

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