Synthesis of Heterometallic Rare Earth(Ⅲ)-Cobalt(Ⅱ)Complexes and Their Application in Alternating Copolymerization of Cyclohexene Oxide and Carbon Dioxide

Comprehensive Summary Four heterometallic rare earth(Ⅲ)-cobalt(Ⅱ)complexes(rare earth=Y(1),Sm(2),Nd(3),La(4))stabilized by an o-phenylenediamine-bridged tris(phenolato)ligand(L)have been synthesized and characterized.In these tetranuclear complexes,one polydentate L coordinates to one rare earth(Ⅲ)ion,and one cobalt(Ⅱ)ion,respectively,while two rare earth ions are bridged by four acetate groups.These complexes were applied in the copolymerization of cyclohexene oxide and CO_(2),which showed good activity(TON up to 440)and high poly(cyclohexene carbonate)selectivity(>99%).Kinetic studies determined the equation as rate=k[CHO]1[CO_(2)]0[initiator]1,which proves a first-order dependence on initiator concentrations and implies a synergistic mechanism with rare earth and cobalt ions cooperating in epoxide ring-opening and chain propagation.