Metal Complex Activators for Controlled Olefin Metathesis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing activation methods for dormant olefin metathesis ruthenium (pre)catalysts, such as chemical and photochemical activation, suffer from issues like corrosion, limited control over initiation rate, and short formulation shelf life due to rapid polymerization and material shrinkage.

Innovation Solution

The use of copper and ruthenium complexes with organic ligands as co-catalysts to activate olefin metathesis ruthenium (pre)catalysts, allowing for controlled gelling time and extended formulation life times, thereby overcoming the limitations of traditional activation methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If chemical activation (Lewis or Brönsted acids) is used to activate dormant ruthenium (pre)catalysts, then the catalyst becomes highly active and initiates polymerization rapidly, but the formulation shelf life becomes very short and corrosion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitiation rateVSAvoidformulation shelf life

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a novel activator system comprising a metal complex (Cu or Ru) with organic ligands that acts as an intermediary between the dormant catalyst and the monomer. This mediator provides controlled activation without the harsh effects of traditional acid activators, enabling both long shelf life and controlled initiation rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the activator system by using metal complexes with organic ligands instead of traditional Lewis or Brönsted acids. This parameter change results in a gentler activation mechanism that does not cause rapid polymerization or corrosion, thereby extending formulation shelf life while maintaining controlled productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If photochemical activation with photoacid generators is used, then the catalyst can be activated selectively, but the released acid causes corrosion and destruction of moulds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselective activationVSAvoidcorrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of acid release into a beneficial controlled activation mechanism. Instead of using photoacid generators that release corrosive acids, the invention uses metal complexes with organic ligands that provide selective activation without generating harmful acidic byproducts, thus eliminating corrosion while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If thermal activation is used to activate dormant catalysts, then the catalyst can be activated without chemical additives, but even heating is difficult and the formulation shelf life is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivation without chemical additivesVSAvoidformulation shelf life

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces metal complex activators as intermediaries that facilitate controlled activation without requiring extreme thermal conditions. These activators mediate between the dormant catalyst and monomer, providing a gentler activation pathway that extends formulation shelf life while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables the production of polymers with improved hardness and controlled polymerization reactions, allowing for a broader range of processing times from several seconds to several hours, and reduces the risk of defects associated with rapid polymerization.

Implementation Method 1

use of metal complexes containing at least one organic ligand for the activation of the so-called dormant olefin metathesis ruthenium (pre)catalysts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoordination chemistry:

Implementation Method 2

The synthesis of the carbon-carbon double bond via olefin metathesis is of great importance both in organic synthesis and in the chemical industry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOlefin metathesis:

Implementation Method 3

the invention relates to the use of such a catalytic system in a ring opening metathesis polymerization reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymerization:

Data Source

PatentUS12338310B2Use of metal complexes having organic ligands for activating olefin metathesis ruthenium (pre)catalysts

Publication Date: 2025.06.24 APEIRON SYNTHESIS SPOLKA AKCYJNA

AI summary

Use of compounds selected from copper complexes having at least one organic ligand and ruthenium complexes having at least one organic ligand, for activating olefin metathesis ruthenium (pre)catalysts in a metathesis reaction, in particular in the ring opening metathesis polymerization reaction (ROMP).