Transition Metal Complexes Containing Functionalized Organoimido and Phosphaneiminato Ligands

Abstract

Abstract Two different types of modified imido and phosphaneiminato ligands are investigated, namely chelate ligands and redox‐functionalised ligands. The first examples of di(organoimido)chromium as well as di(phosphaneiminato)titanium and niobium chelates are described. Furthermore, the first complexes containing redox‐functionalised organoimido ligands are presented, together with the first structurally characterised redox‐functionalised phosphaneiminato complex. Compounds of the type [(RN) 2 M(CH 2 Ph) 2 ] (M = Cr, Mo) are used as catalysts for the (co‐)polymerisation of the polar olefins methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile and vinyl acetate. A range of X‐ray crystal structure determinations provide clear evidence for the quantum‐chemical result that, similar to organoimido complexes, the potential energy well for the angle at the nitrogen atom is very shallow for phosphaneiminato complexes.