Non-cryogenic synthesis of heteroatom-bridge precursors of metal-ligand complex catalysts

A method for providing a heteroatom-bridge precursor from a compound according to formula (3), the method comprising:

• reacting, at from 90° C. to 150° C., at least one alkyl halide, an alkali-metal halide, and a compound according to formula (3):
• where:
• R1 and R2 are independently selected from a hydrogen atom, (C1-C40)hydrocarbyl and, optionally, R1 and R2 are connected to form a ring having from 3 to 50 atoms in the ring, excluding hydrogen atoms;
• X is Si, Ge, Sn, or Pb;
• each Q is independently Ar1—Y1—R3— or Ar2—Y2—R4—;
• R3 and R4 are independently selected from —(CRC2)m—, where m is 1 or 2, and where each RC is independently selected from (C1-C40)hydrocarbyl, (C1-C40)heterohydrocarbyl, or —H;
• Y1 and Y2 are independently S, Se, or Te;
• Ar1 and Ar2 are independently (C6-C50)aryl;
• and
• Ar1—Y1—R3— and Ar2—Y2—R4— are not identical,
• to provide a heteroatom-bridge precursor having formula (1):
• where:
• R1, R2, and X are as defined in formula (3);
• and
• L1 and L2 are independently —R3—Z1 or —R4—Z1, where R3 and R4 are as defined in formula (3), and where each Z1 is independently selected from Cl, Br, and I.