Preparation and reactions of tantalum alkylidene complexes containing bulky phenoxide or thiolate ligands. Controlling ring-opening metathesis polymerization activity and mechanism through choice of anionic ligand

Addition of LiDIPP = O-2,6-C{sub 6}H{sub 3}-i-Pr{sub 2} to Ta(CH-t-Bu)(THF){sub 2}Cl{sub 3} yields Ta(CH-t-Bu)(DIPP){sub 3}(THF) (1) in high yield. Ta(CH-t-Bu)(DMP){sub 3}(THF) (3; DMP = O-2,6-C{sub 6}H{sub 3}Me{sub 2}) and Ta(CH-t-Bu)(TIPT){sub 3}(THF) (5; TIPT = S-,2,4,6-C{sub 6}H{sub 2}i-Pr{sub 3}) can be prepared by analogous methods. 1 reacts rapidly with 1 equiv of styrene to give the tantalacyclobutane complex Ta(CH(Ph)CH(t-Bu)CH{sub 2})(DIPP){sub 3}. The crystal and molecular structure of the complex are reported. An analogous reaction between 1 and vinyltrimethylsilane gives Ta(CHSiMe{sub 3})(DIPP){sub 3}(THF) or Ta(CH(SiMe{sub 3})CH(SiMe{sub 3})CH{sub 2})(DIPP){sub 3} depending upon reaction conditions; the two are in ready equilibrium. 1 reacts smoothly with ethylene to give Ta(CH{sub 2}CH{sub 2}CH{sub 2})(DIPP){sub 3} in high yield, but treatment of 1 with olefins such as propylene or 1-butene did not lead to any characterizable species. Addition of excess cis-2-pentene to 1 results in rapid metathesis (100 equiv to equilibrium in < 15 min), but activity is short-lived. In contrast to reactions between 1 and olefins, Ta(CH-t-Bu)(TIPT){sub 3}(THF) does not react with ordinary olefins and will not metathesize them. Tantalacyclobutane complexes containing the DIPP ligand react with the carbonyl functionality to give a mixture of insertion chemistry (oxytantalacyclohexane complexes) and Wittig-like reactivity, depending upon the carbonyl compound, the tantalacycle, and the temperature. 1 reacts with norbornene to give an isolable tantalacyclobutane complex, Ta(CH(C{sub 5}H{sub 8})CHCH(t-Bu))(DIPP){sub 3}, whose crystal structure is reported. 25 references, 9 figures, 7 tables.