Cationic borohydrido–neodymium complex: Synthesis, characterization and its application as an efficient pre-catalyst for isoprene polymerisation

Abstract

The cationic borohydrido lanthanide complex [Nd(BH4)2(THF)5][B(C6F5)4]1, prepared from the reaction of Nd(BH4)3(THF)3 with [HNMe2Phl[B(C6F5)4], is highly active towards isoprene polymerisation upon activation with Al(i-Bu)3, whereas the in situ prepared ternary catalytic combination Nd(BH4)3(THF)3/[HNMe2Ph][B(C6F5)4]/Al(i-Bu)3, albeit less active, displays higher cis-selectivity and better control in terms of macromolecular data.