REDUCTION REACTIONS OF THE METALLOCENE COMPLEX (ETA(5)-C5H4CME2C9H7)(2)ZRCL2

The preparation and characterization of the substituted bis(cyclopenta dienyl) zirconium dichloride complexes (eta(5)-C5H4CMe2C9H7)(2)ZrCl2 ( 1a, b) is reported. The isomer mixture of 1a, b was treated with diffe rent reducing agents such as sodium and n-butyllithium under various r eaction conditions. In these reactions CC and CH activation and cleava ge reactions were observed. In combination with methylaluminoxane (MAO ) 1a, b and 3 showed low activities as homogeneous ethylene polymeriza tion catalysts and no activities towards propylene. Compounds 2 and 3 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.