Iminobisphosphines to (non-)symmetrical diphosphinoamine ligands: Metal-induced synthesis of diphosphorus nickel complexes and application in ethylene oligomerisation reactions

Abstract

We describe the synthesis of a range of novel iminobisphosphine ligands based on a sulfonamido moiety [R1SO2N=P(R 2)2-P(R3)2]. These molecules rearrange in the presence of nickel by metal-induced breakage of the P-P bond to yield symmetrical and nonsymmetrical diphosphinoamine nickel complexes of general formula Ni{[P(R2)2]N(SO2R 1)P(R3)2}Br2. The complexes can be isolated and are very stable. Upon activation by MAO, these complexes oligomerise ethylene to small chain oligomers (mainly C4-C 8) with high productivity. Surprisingly fast codimerisation reactions of ethylene with butenes is observed, leading to a high content of branched C6 products.