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Interaction of Neutral Donors with Methylaluminoxane
Author(s) -
Zijlstra Harmen S.,
Joshi Anuj,
Linnolahti Mikko,
Collins Scott,
McIndoe J. Scott
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
european journal of inorganic chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1099-0682
pISSN - 1434-1948
DOI - 10.1002/ejic.201900153
Subject(s) - chemistry , methylaluminoxane , electrospray ionization , denticity , adduct , photochemistry , organometallic chemistry , acceptor , polymer chemistry , polymerization , catalysis , ion , metallocene , metal , organic chemistry , physics , condensed matter physics , polymer
Methylaluminoxane (MAO) is a key activator for olefin polymerization catalysts, making its chemistry of ongoing interest. Strong and bidentate neutral donors such as 2,2′‐bipyridine are effective abstractors of the dimethylaluminum cation, [Me 2 Al] + , from methylaluminoxane (MAO), while monodentate, weaker donors such as THF appear most prone to adduct formation with both free and bound trimethylaluminum. The ionization process can be readily investigated using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) in fluorobenzene (PhF) solution. Complementary studies employing 1D and 2D 1 H NMR spectroscopic studies in [D 5 ]bromobenzene solution provide details on the extent of ionization vs. donor‐acceptor complex formation for the different donors studied. DFT studies employing different neutral model precursors and mono‐ vs. didentate donors shed light on possible mechanisms for ion‐pair formation.