Cyclopentadienylphosphazene complexes (CpPN Complexes) of metals of the third and fourth group and of the lanthanoids

Abstract

The present invention concerns cyclopentadienylphosphazene complexes (CpPN complexes) of the metals of the third and fourth group and of the lanthanoids with the exception of lutetium. The complexes according to the present invention are isolobal and isoelectronic to [(CpSiN)TiR2] complexes. Exactly one CpPN unit is present in the complexes according to the present invention. In all complexes according to the present invention, the cyclopentadienyl unit of CpPN represents a monodentate, anionic ligand of the metal atom. Furthermore, the metal atom is bound to further anionic ligands. In a preferred embodiment, both the cyclopentadienyl unit and the nitrogen atom are bound within CpPN to the metal atom, so that CpPN then represents a bidentate ligand. Complexes according to the present invention, in which CpN represents a bidentate ligand, are CpPN-constrained geometry complexes (CpPN-CGC). Furthermore, methods are provided for the in situ production of the complexes according to the present invention. The CpPN complexes can be electrically neutral or can be present as cationic complexes. Cationic complexes are formed by replacing one of the other anionic ligands of the metal atom by a neutral ligand; counterions of the cationic CpPN complexes are preferably fluoroborate, tetraphenyl borate, tetrakis-(3,5-trifluormethylphenyl)borate. The production is carried out in situ by reacting a metal halide with a protonated cyclopentadienylphosphazene CpPNH and an alkaline or alkaline earth salt of the desired other anionic ligand. The complexes according to the present invention are suitable for being used as catalysts for the hydroamination and polymerization of olefins.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.