Controlled synthesis of novel aryloxide polynuclear aluminum species.: Study of their catalytic properties in polymerization processes

The reaction of AlMe3 with 3,5-(CF3)(2)C6H3OH at room temperature renders the dinuclear [AlMe2(OR)](2) (1) (OR = 3,5-(CF3)(2)C6H3O), trinuclear {[AlMe2(OR)](2)[AlMe(OR)(2)]} (2), or tetranuclear {[AlMe2(OR)](2)-[AlMe(OR)(2)](2)} (3) derivative depending on the reaction conditions (solvent and stoichiometry of the reagents). All compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis and NMR spectroscopy, and their crystal structures determined by X-ray diffraction methods. Catalytic studies reveal that these compounds show high activity in ring-opening polymerization of cyclohexene oxide (CHO). The activity in the catalytic process varies significantly with solvent and temperature conditions.