The incorporation of organometallic sites onto pre-treated supports is a strategy to access well-defined heterogeneous catalysts.1 This reaction usually involves a partially dehdroxylated oxide support containing –OH sites, and an organometallic complex containing pre-formed M–C bonds. The earliest examples of this surface organometallic chemistry formed well-defined organometallic sites in attempts to understand heterogeneous olefin polymerization catalysts.2 Indeed, the largest application of surface organometallic chemistry in industry is undoubtedly the generation of catalysts for olefin polymerization. These complex mixtures contain an alkylaluminum (AlR3 or [RAlO]n), a neutral zirconocene dichloride (Cp2ZrCl2), and a support (MgCl2, oxide, etc.). Based on extensive evidence from solution studies, this mixture likely contains [Cp2Zr–R]+ species on the surface of the support. This presentation will describe some of our recent efforts in determining the surface structure of the active [Zr–R]+ species in the ternary Cpb2ZrCl2/AliBu3/Al2O3 ethylene polymerization catalyst (Cpb = 1-butylcylopentadienyl).

Cp2ZrCl2/AliBu3 supported on Al2O3: Characterization of the active species in a model catalyst for ethylene polymerization

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.