N-tripodal ligands to generate copper catalysts for the syndiotactic polymerization of methyl-methacrylate: Crystal structures of copper complexes

A library of N-tripodal ligands, based on a central nitrogen atom connected to three different functionalized arms, was investigated via a parallel approach for the polymerization of methyl-methacrylate (MMA) in presence of late transition metal salts. Copper salts CuCl2 and Cu(OAc)2 in combination with N-(2-furanylmethyl)-N-(1-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolylmethyl)-N- (phenylmethyl)amine were detected as efficient catalysts for the syndiotactic polymerization of MMA ([rr] up to 78%). Kinetic studies and X-ray structures of the best catalysts were reported.