Metal-catalysed olefin dimerisation is used widely for enhancing low carbon number product streams and for the manufacture of important industrial commodity feedstocks. In this arena, tungsten-based initiators have enjoyed particular success, offering good selectivity and activity. Such systems are typically prepared in situ through reaction of WCl6 with ArNH2, followed by treatment with an alkylaluminium activator, something proposed to generate a catalytically-active tungsten imido-bearing moiety. A key challenge in understanding both the dimerisation mechanism and the catalytic selectivity is to establish the precise role of the alkylaluminium chloride activator. Here, we report our studies of the reactions of various well-defined tungsten imido complexes with a range of alkyl aluminium reagents. Results exemplifying the influence of the resulting Al-containing components (e.g. 1 ), and the nature of the imido substituent, on subsequent reactions with olefins will be reported. Careful analysis of the post-catalysis organic products is used to probe indirectly both the tungsten oxidation state and catalytic mechanism.

Understanding catalytic olefin dimerisation

247th National Meeting (2014)

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