Tetrabenzylzirconium Explained

Tetrabenzylzirconium is an organozirconium compound with the formula Zr(CH2C6H5)4. The molecule features diamagnetic Zr(IV) bonded to four benzyl ligands. It is an orange air- and photo-sensitive solid, which is soluble in hydrocarbon solvents. The compound is a precursor to catalysts for the polymerization of olefins.[1] [2]

Structure, synthesis, reactions

X-ray crystallography demonstrates that the benzyl ligands are highly flexible: one polymorph features four η2-ligands, whereas another has two η1- and two η2-benzyl ligands.[3]

The compound is prepared by combining benzylmagnesium chloride and zirconium tetrachloride in diethyl ether.[4]

Tetrabenzylzirconium readily undergoes protonolysis, e.g. with hydrogen chloride:

Zr(CH2C6H5)4 + HCl → Zr(CH2C6H5)3Cl + CH3C6H5

References

  1. 10.1021/ja001219g. Isospecific Living Polymerization of 1-Hexene by a Readily Available Nonmetallocene C2-Symmetrical Zirconium Catalyst. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 122. 43. 10706–10707. 2000. Tshuva. Edit Y.. Goldberg. Israel. Kol. Moshe.
  2. 10.1016/S0022-328X(00)82618-2. Synthesis and Properties of Some Titanium and Zirconium Benzyl Derivatives. Journal of Organometallic Chemistry. 26. 357–372. 1971. Zucchini. U.. Albizzati. E.. Giannini. U.. 3 .
  3. 10.1021/om300820b. Highly Variable Zr–CH2–Ph Bond Angles in Tetrabenzylzirconium: Analysis of Benzyl Ligand Coordination Modes. Organometallics. 31. 23. 8208–8217. 2012. Rong. Yi. Al-Harbi. Ahmed. Parkin. Gerard.
  4. Book: 10.1002/047084289X.rn01555. Tetrabenzylzirconium . Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis . 2013 . Mashima . Kazushi . Tsurugi . Hatato . 978-0471936237 .

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