(Pyrazolylpyridine)- iron, cobalt and nickel complexes as carbon-carbon bond formation catalysts

M.Sc.2-(Pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine ligands were synthesised by phase transfer alkylation of 2-picolyl hydrochloride with the appropriate pyrazole. These ligands were subsequently reacted with NiCl2, NiBr2, FeCl2 or CoCl2 to form the respective complexes. The substituents on the pyrazole included phenyl and tert-butyl groups as well as electron withdrawing CF3 groups. The substituents played an important role in the steric and electrophilic nature of the metals. A second ligand design is 2,6-bis(pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine and were prepared by phase transfer alkylation of 2,6-bis(chloromethyl)pyridine with two mole equivalents of the appropriate pyrazole. These ligands were reacted with NiCl2, NiBr2, FeCl2 or CoCl2 to form the respective complexes. A third ligand design is 2-(chloromethyl)- or 2-(bromomethyl)-6-(pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine and were prepared by the selective alkylation of 2,6-bis(chloromethyl)pyridine with one mole equivalent of the appropriate pyrazole. These ligands were also reacted with NiCl2, NiBr2, FeCl2 or CoCl2 to form the respective complexes. Characterisation of all compounds was done by a range of spectroscopic techniques as well as X-ray crystallography and elemental analysis. The data showed good fit to the proposed structures and in a few cases were confirmed by X-Ray crystallography. All complexes were tested as catalysts for ethylene and higher olefin oligomerisation and showed good activity. The production of alkenes were confirmed in toluene and hexane, however, due to the use of EtAlCl2 and toluene the oligomers were alkylated to form the Friedel-Crafts alkylation products. Similar alkylation was observed for the higher olefin reactions. In comparison, the same reactions in hexane resulted in only C4, C6 and C8 oligomers. When higher olefin reactions were also conducted in hexane, polymeric solids were observed