Catalyst Editing via Post-Synthetic Functionalization by Phosphonium Generation and Anion Exchange for Nickel-Catalyzed Ethylene/Acrylate Copolymerization
Priyabrata Ghana, Shuoyan Xiong, Adjeoda A. Tekpor, B.C. Bailey, Heather A. Spinney, Briana S. Henderson, Theodor Agapie
Abstract
Rapid, efficient development of homogeneous catalysts featuring desired performance is critical to numerous catalytic transformations but remains a key challenge. Typically, this task relies heavily on ligand design that is often based on trial and error. Herein, we demonstrate a "catalyst editing" strategy in Ni-catalyzed ethylene/acrylate copolymerization. Specifically, alkylation of a pendant phosphine followed by anion exchange provides a high yield strategy for a large number of cationic Ni phosphonium catalysts with varying electronic and steric profiles. These catalysts are highly active in ethylene/acrylate copolymerization, and their behaviors are correlated with the electrophile and the anion used in late-stage functionalization.