Thermally Stable Dialkylzirconocenes with β-Hydrogens. Synthesis and Diastereoselectivity

Abstract

Alkylation of Cp^r_2ZrCl_2 (Cpr = Cp (η^5-C_5H_5), Cp‘ (η^5-C_5H_4Me), Cp^* (η^5-C_5Me_5)) and CpCp^*Zr(CH_3)Cl with 1-lithio-2-methylpentane (R^1Li) gives the corresponding dialkylzirconocenes Cp^r_2ZrR^1_2 and CpCp^*Zr(CH_3)R^1, in high yields. Such alkyls have unprecedented thermal stabilities, especially for the CpCp^* ligand framework. The diastereomers of the Cp^r_2ZrR^1_2 complexes are formed in a statistical distribution, whereas the diastereomers of CpCp^*Zr(CH_3)R^1 form in a 2:3 ratio.