On study of chemoselectivity of reaction of trialkylalanes with alkenes, catalyzed with Zr π-complexes

The influence of the organoaluminium compound nature, Zr π-ligand environment, solvent type and reagent ratio on the chemoselectivity of reactions of trialkylalanes (AlMe3, AlEt3) with alkenes, catalyzed with L2ZrCl2 [L = Cp, Cp′ (Cp′-η5-C5H4CH3), Cp∗ (Cp∗-η5-C5(CH3)5), Ind (indenyl), Flu (fluorenyl)] has been studied. It is shown that in the case of AlMe3, the hydro- and carboalumination products, and alkene dimers are formed. The catalytic reaction of AlEt3 with the olefins yields aluminacyclopentanes altogether with the hydro- and carboalumination products, and the dimers. A probable reaction mechanism has been proposed.