Atom Transfer Radical Polymerisation (ATRP) and Kharasch addition mediated by titanium-ruthenium bimetallic systems

Numerous studies have been directed towards the synthesis of early-late heterobimetallic complexes. Surprisingly, only few reports have been reported about their catalytic behaviour. However, their potential in homogeneous catalysis is enormous. Indeed, a co-operative work by the two metal centres in the complex may lead to new catalytic systems with unique reactivity.
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<br />The Dijon’s team has concentrated their efforts on the synthesis and study of heterobimetallic complexes in which both metal fragments are known for their catalytic activity. Titanocenes are of considerable interest as catalysts for the polymerisation of a-olefins. The catalytic performance of RuCl2(arene) complexes (1) has been demonstrated in different reactions, including olefin metathesis and atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP). In attempts to examine such type of catalytic systems, complexation of bent titanocene metallo-ligands by the [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 dimer is currently investigated.