1497449-03-2Relevant academic research and scientific papers
Highly selective olefin trimerization catalysis by a borane-activated titanium trimethyl complex
Sattler, Aaron,Labinger, Jay A.,Bercaw, John E.
, p. 6899 - 6902 (2013)
Reaction of a trimethyl titanium complex, (FI)TiMe3 (FI = phenoxy-imine), with 1 equiv of B(C6F5)3 gives [(FI)TiMe2][MeB(C6F5)3], an effective precatalyst for the selective trimerization of ethylene. Mechanistic studies indicate that catalyst initiation involves generation of an active TiII species by olefin insertion into a Ti-Me bond, followed by β-H elimination and reductive elimination of methane, and that initiation is slow relative to trimerization. (FI)TiMe3/B(C6F 5)3 also leads to a competent catalyst for the oligomerization of α-olefins, displaying high selectivity for trimers (>95%), approximately 85% of which are one regioisomer. This catalyst system thus shows promise for selectively converting light α-olefins into transportation fuels and lubricants.
