Development of Tantalum Phenoxy-Imine Compounds for Selective Ethylene Oligomerization

Author: Rreza, Iva

Year: 2014

Degree: Senior thesis (Major)

Advisor: Bercaw, John E.

Committee Member: None, None

Option: Chemistry

DOI: 10.7907/YDBK-V594

Abstract

The development of catalysts that selectively oligomerize light olefins for uses in polymers and fuels remains of interest to the petrochemical and materials industry. For this purpose, two tantalum compounds, (FI)TaMe2Cl2 and (FI)TaMe4, implementing a previously reported phenoxy-imine (FI) ligand framework, have been synthesized and characterized with NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. When tested for ethylene oligomerization catalysis, (FI)TaMe2Cl2 was found to dimerize ethylene when activated with Et2Zn or EtMgCl, and (FI)TaMe4 dimerized ethylene when activated with B(C6F5)3, both at room temperature.

Files

• [Senior Thesis Final Report_Iva Rreza.pdf](/8486/01/Senior Thesis Final Report_Iva Rreza.pdf) (application/pdf)