Intramolecular Ion−Ion Interactions in Zwitterionic Metallocene Olefin Polymerization Catalysts Derived from “Tucked-In” Catalyst Precursors and the Highly Electrophilic Boranes XB(C6F5)2 (X = H, C6F5)

The reactions of so called “tuck-in” permethyl zirconocene compounds Cp*(η5-η1-C5Me4CH2)ZrX (X = Cl (1a), C6H5 (1b), CH3 (1c)) with the highly electrophilic boranes HB(C6F5)2 and B(C6F5)3 are described. The products are zwitterionic olefin polymerization catalysts. Reactions with 1a and 1b yielded single products cleanly, but reactions with tuck-in methyl starting material 1c gave mixtures. Spectroscopic and structural studies showed that the electrophilic zirconium center in the product zwitterions was stabilized by a variety of mechanisms. In the products of reaction between 1a and 1b with HB(C6F5)2, Cp*[η5,η1-C5Me4CH2B(C6F5)2(μ-H)]ZrX (X = Cl (2a), 74%), C6H5 (2b, 62%)), the metal is chelated by a pendant hydridoborate moiety. Chloride product 2a was characterized crystallographically. In the reaction of B(C6F5)3 with 1a, the fluxional zwitterionic product Cp*[η5-C5Me4CH2B(C6F5)3]ZrCl (3a, 84%) is stabilized by a weak donor interaction between one of the ortho fluorine atoms of the −CH2B-(C6F5)3 counte...