So Han Kim

Synthesis, X-ray structures, and controlled ring opening polymerization behavior of L-lactide using titanium complexes chelated by tetradentate diamine-diethanolate ligand.

The synthesis and characterization of LTi(O-i-Pr)(2) (1) and LTiCl(2) (2) complexes containing a new [ONNO]-type tetradentate diamine-diethanolate ligand such as (HOCMe(2)CH(2)NMeCH(2)CH(2)NMeCH(2)CMe(2)OH) (LH(2)) was achieved. Single-crystal X-ray analyses revealed that monomeric complexes 1 and 2 had pseudo-C(2) and pseudo-C(1) symmetric distorted octahedral geometry, respectively. Interestingly, complex 1 has fac-fac geometry for tetradentate L around a Ti centre in both solid and solution, whereas complex 2 has different geometry in solid (mer-fac, C(1)) and solution (fac-fac, C(2)). They are effective catalysts for the controlled ring opening polymerization of L-lactide, as shown by the linearity of the number average of the molecular weight of polylactides versus conversion, as well as narrow PDI values.

Mukaiyama Aldol Reactions Catalyzed by a Trimeric Organo Aluminum(III) Alkoxide

Abstract Mukaiyama aldol reactions of enol ethers with a variety of aldehydes and ketones are efficiently catalyzed at 0–25 °C by the sterically bulky trimeric organo aluminum(III) alkoxide 1 synthesized via the reaction of 3 equiv of AlMe3 with tripodal tris(2-hydroxy-3-tert-butyl-5-methylphenyl) methane and the elimination of 3 equiv of methane. Comparisons of its catalytic properties with the less sterically hindered analogue 2, the more sterically hindered analogue 3, a monomeric aluminum near-analogue 4, and a dimeric alumatrane 5 revealed that 1 possesses superior activity. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Dimeric alumatranes as catalysts for trimethylsilylcyanation reaction

The solid-state structures of dimeric alumatranes with three five-membered rings chelated by [(OCMe2CH2)nN(CH2CH2O)3−n]3− (n = 1, L1; n = 2, L2; n = 3, L3), which vary by the number of CMe2 groups adjacent to the OH functionality [1 (L1H3), 2 (L2H3), and 3 (L3H3)], were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The X-ray structures revealed that the aluminum geometries were slightly distorted trigonal bipyramids. The obtained aluminum complexes are the first structurally characterized dimeric alumatranes with tricyclic five-membered rings. Quite unexpectedly, the sterically bulky side arms with dimethyl substituents were always located in the bridging sites, as determined by density functional theory calculations. Their solution-state structures were analyzed by 1H, 13C, and 27Al NMR techniques, and their gas-phase structures were determined by mass spectrometry. Unlike Al(OCH2CH2)3N, complexes 1–3 were all dimeric in the solid state, solution phase, and gas phase. In addition, they were found to promote the reaction of aryl, heteroaryl, and alkyl aldehydes with trimethylsilylcyanide to provide the corresponding products in excellent yields under mild conditions of room temperature, a short reaction time of 1 h, and a very low catalyst loading of 0.5 mol%.