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Ethylene Polymerization Catalyzed by Pyrene‐Tagged Iron Complexes: The Positive Effect of π‐Conjugation and Immobilization on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
Author(s) -
Zhang Liping,
Zhang Wenjuan,
Serp Philippe,
Sun WenHua,
Durand Jérôme
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
chemcatchem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.497
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1867-3899
pISSN - 1867-3880
DOI - 10.1002/cctc.201301063
Subject(s) - polymerization , substituent , pyrene , catalysis , ethylene , polymer chemistry , chemistry , conjugated system , carbon nanotube , materials science , organic chemistry , polymer , nanotechnology
2‐[1‐(2,6‐Diisopropylphenylimino)ethyl]‐6‐[1‐(pyren‐1‐ylimino)ethyl]pyridine ( L1 ) and 2,6‐bis[1‐(pyren‐1‐ylimino)ethyl]pyridine ( L2 ) were synthesized and used to prepare the corresponding Fe complexes Fe1 and Fe2 from FeCl 2 . All new compounds were characterized, and single‐crystal XRD analysis of Fe1 was performed. The π‐conjugated pyrenyl substituent enhanced the catalytic activity of the Fe complexes, which display high activity in ethylene polymerization up to 10 7 g PE mol Fe −1 h −1 (PE=polyethylene). These Fe complexes were easily immobilized on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) through noncovalent π–π interactions. The supported precatalysts showed better ethylene polymerization activity than their homogeneous counterparts to produce well‐dispersed MWCNT/PE composite materials.