Exploring the reactivity of tungsten bis(imido) dimethyl complexes with methyl aluminium reagents: implications for ethylene dimerization

• DOI: 10.1039/c0dt00110d
• Publication Date: 2010-06-21T13:00:17Z
• Authors: William R. H. Wright; Andrei S. Batsanov; Judith A. K. Howard; Robert P. Tooze; Martin J. Hanton; Philip W. Dyer
• Keywords: Reactivity; Isotopomers

The reaction of [WCl2(NAr)2(DME)] (1) with excess Me3Al affords the dimethyl complex [WMe2(N{Ar}AlMe2{μ-Cl})(NAr)] (2), which on treatment THF or MeAlCl2 yields [WMe2(NAr)2(THF)] (3) and [WMe2(N{Ar}AlMe(Cl){μ-Cl})(NAr)] (5), respectively. Complex 3 is unstable in solution dissociating to form [WMe2(NAr)2] (4) that may be isolated as an adduct PMe3, [WMe2(NAr)2(PMe3)] (6). While 2 inert towards ethylene, reacts rapidly afford a mixture methane but-1-ene (1 : 4). Neither nor react propylene. Reaction C2H4/C2D4 1) isotopomers consistent complete isotopic scrambling. structures complexes 1, 2, have been determined by X-ray diffraction.