Direct observation of reaction intermediates for a well defined heterogeneous alkene metathesis catalyst

Grafting of [W( NAr)(=CHtBu)(2,5-Me2NC4H2)(2)] on a silica partially clehydroxylated at 700 degrees C (SiO2-(700)) generates the corresponding monosiloxy complex [( SiO)W( NAr)(=CHtBu)(2,5-Me2NC4H2)] as the major species (approximate to 90%) along with [( SiO)W( NAr)(CH(2)tBu)(2,5-Me2NC4H2)(2)], according to mass balance analysis, IR, and NMR studies. This heterogeneous catalyst displays good activity and stability in the metathesis of propene. Very importantly, solid state NMR spectroscopy allows observation of the propagating alkylidene as well as stable metallacyclobutane intermediates. These species have the same reactivity as the initial surface complex [( SiO)W( NAr)(=CHtBu)(2,5-Me2NC4H2)], which shows that they are the key intermediates of alkene metathesis.

Dynamics of silica-supported catalysts determined by combining solid-state NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations

Frédéric Blanc, David Lyndon Emsley

The molecular dynamics of a series of organometallic complexes covalently bound to amorphous silica surfaces is determined experimentally using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations (DFT). The determination is carried out for a series of alkylidene-based catalysts having the general formula [( SiO)M(ER)(=CHtBu)(R')] (M = Re, Ta, Mo or W; ER = CtBu, NAr or CH(2)tBu; R' = CH2tBu, NPh2, NC4H4). Proton-carbon dipolar coupling constants and carbon chemical shift anisotropies (CSA) are determined experimentally by solid-state NMR. Room-temperature molecular dynamics is quantified through order parameters determined from the experimental data. For the chemical shift anisotropy data, we validate and use a method that integrates static values for the CSA obtained computationally by DFT, obviating the need for low-temperature measurements. Comparison of the room-temperature data with the calculations shows that the widths of the calculated static limit dipolar couplings and CSAs are always greater than the experimentally determined values, providing a clear indication of motional averaging on the NMR time scale. Moreover, the dynamics are found to be significantly different within the series of molecular complexes, with order parameters ranging from = 0.5 for [( SiO)Ta(=CHtBu)(CH(2)tBu)(2)] and [( SiO)Re( CtBu)(=CHtBu)(CH(2)tBu)] to = 0.9 for [( SiO)Mo( NAr)(=CHtBu)(R') with R' = CH(2)tBu, NPh2, NC4H4. The data also show that the motion is not isotropic and could be either a jump between two sites or more likely restricted librational motion. The dynamics are discussed in terms of the molecular structure of the surface organometallic complexes, and the orientation of the CSAs tensor at the alkylidene carbon is shown to be directly related to the magnitude of the alpha-alkylidene CH agostic interation.

AMER CHEMICAL SOC2008

Dynamics of silica-supported catalysts determined by combining solid-state NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations

Frédéric Blanc, David Lyndon Emsley

AMER CHEMICAL SOC2008