Reactivity Trends of Lewis Acidic Sites in Methylaluminoxane and Some of Its Modifications
Open Access
- 9 April 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Chemical Society (ACS) in Inorganic Chemistry
- Vol. 59 (8), 5751-5759
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.0c00533
Abstract
The established model cluster (AlOMe)16(AlMe3)6 for methylaluminoxane (MAO) cocatalyst has been studied by density functional theory, aiming to rationalize the different behaviors of unmodified MAO and TMA-depleted MAO/BHT (TMA = trimethylaluminum; BHT = 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol), highlighted in previous experimental studies. The tendency of the three model Lewis acidic sites A–C to release neutral Al fragments (i.e., AlMe2R; R = Me or bht) or transient aluminum cations (i.e., [AlMeR]+) has been investigated both in the absence and in the presence of neutral N-donors. Sites C are most likely responsible for the activation capabilities of TMA-rich MAO, but TMA depletion destabilizes them, possibly inducing structural rearrangements. The remaining sites A and B, albeit of lower Lewis acidity, should be still able to release cationic Al fragments when TMA-depleted modified MAOs are treated with N-donors (e.g. [AlMe(bht)]+ from MAO/BHT). These findings provide tentative interpretations for earlier observations of donor-dependent ionization tendencies of MAO and MAO/BHT and how TMA depleted MAOs can still be potent activators.Funding Information
- Ministero dell?Istruzione, dell?Universit? e della Ricerca
- Universit? degli Studi di Perugia (20154X9ATP_004)
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