WO2020099750A1

WO2020099750A1 - Method for the metathesis of olefins using a catalyst in the presence of an activator and a retarding agent

Info

Publication number: WO2020099750A1
Application number: PCT/FR2019/052531
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mathieu ROUEN; Fadwa KAMAL; Marc Mauduit
Original assignee: Demeta; Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique
Priority date: 2018-11-16
Filing date: 2019-10-23
Publication date: 2020-05-22
Also published as: FR3088641B1; IL283146A; FR3088641A1; MX2021005690A

Abstract

The present invention concerns a method for the metathesis of olefins, comprising bringing the following into contact: -at least one olefin, -a metathesis catalyst constituted by at least one alkylidene ruthenium complex comprising two identical or different N-heterocyclic diaminocarbene ligands, including at least one 1-aryl-3-cycloalkyl-imidazoline-2-ylidene ligand, -a retarding agent constituted by at least one phosphite, -and an activator chosen from the Lewis acids, the peroxides and the mixtures of same. The invention also relates to a kit for implementing this method.

Description

METHOD FOR METATHESIS OF OLEFINS USING A CATALYST IN THE PRESENCE OF AN ACTIVATOR AND A DELAYING AGENT

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a process for metathesis of olefins, using a particular metathesis catalyst, in the presence of a retarding agent consisting of at least one phosphite and of an activator chosen from Lewis acids, peroxides and their mixtures . It also relates to a kit for implementing this process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Olefinic units, or carbon-carbon double bonds, are present in many chemical compounds of interest, such as pharmaceutical compounds, flavorings, perfumes or polymers. The development of new reactions making it possible to form these motifs is therefore crucial for access to new synthetic routes for these compounds. Among the major reactions developed in recent years, the metathesis of olefins is among those most exploited by the chemical industry. This reaction consists in cutting a carbon-carbon double bond of an olefin and in redistributing the two alkylidene fragments obtained, with those of another olefin which undergoes the same reaction. In the case where the two double bonds are on the same molecule, a cyclic compound may result from this reaction. We then speak of cyclizing metathesis. Furthermore, when the substrate is a cyclic molecule, it will be possible to form a polyunsaturated non-cyclic molecule capable of polymerizing. In this case, we speak of metathesis polymerization with cycle opening (or ROMP).

As these reactions are metallo-catalyzed, the development of ever more efficient and selective metathesis catalysts has been at the center of the attention of chemists, and still is today.

Catalysts based on tungsten, molybdenum or ruthenium, coordinated by a ligand of the alkylidene type, have in particular been developed. The tungsten and molybdenum catalysts being very sensitive to humidity, those based on ruthenium have however been favored. Mention may be made, for example, of the first and second generation Grubbs catalysts, of formula:

As illustrated above, in addition to the alkylidene ligand, the ruthenium complexes used in metathesis generally have two neutral ligands, and two anionic ligands such as chlorides. In particular, it has been demonstrated that neutral ligands of the N-heterocyclic diaminocarbene or NHC type (for "N-Heterocyclic Carbene" in English), such as that present on the Grubbs II complex, confer on ruthenium complexes catalytic properties. interesting. Patent application WO2014 / 091157 describes in particular complexes of ruthenium alkylidene coordinated by one or two unsaturated and asymmetric NHC ligands. It has been demonstrated that these catalysts make it possible to obtain the desired products with excellent selectivity, in the sense that the formation of isomerization products is very reduced or even eliminated. An article by Rouen et al. {Chem. Eur. J. 2014, 20, 13716-13721) describes other cationic ruthenium complexes coordinated by two asymmetric unsaturated NHC ligands. These complexes also comprise a bidentate ligand of the 2-isopropoxypheny lmethy lene type.

We therefore understand the value of complexes based on ruthenium coordinated by two unsymmetrical NHC ligands as asymmetric catalysts for metathesis. However, it has been observed that the metathesis reactions carried out in the presence of these catalysts were sometimes too rapid, taking into account the period of time necessary, on an industrial scale, to fill the molds in which these reactions must take place. The conventional methods of reactive injection molding (or RIM for "Reaction Injection Molding") are thus limited to the manufacture of parts of small dimensions and not having, moreover, acute angles. The latter in fact tend to trap air pockets in the case where the mold is filled too quickly or when the gelling of the reaction mass is too fast. The above problems are even more marked in the case of other molding techniques, such as resin transfer molding (or RTM for "Resin Transfer Molding") or filament winding, which require a longer filling time of the mold. long, typically 30 minutes to several hours. Finally, the speed of the metathesis reaction also poses a problem in the case where the reaction product is intended to impregnate a fibrous matrix to form reinforced parts. Indeed, the reaction mixture must remain fluid for the time necessary for complete impregnation of the matrix. It is therefore understood that these industrial processes are difficult to use for producing large reinforced parts, in particular body parts which are however advantageous to manufacture by metathesis of cycloolefins using the catalysts mentioned above.

It would therefore be desirable to have a means of slowing down, or even blocking, the metathesis reaction and of being able to trigger it at the desired time. It is further desirable that once reactivated, the catalyst can allow a sufficiently rapid and otherwise complete reaction (with a conversion rate of the starting olefin close to 100%) in order to avoid as much as possible the presence of residual monomers liable to affect the mechanical properties of the material obtained.

With this in mind, it has already been proposed to add to the reaction mixture, containing a catalyst in the form of a ruthenium complex, agents inhibiting the metathesis reaction which are generally Lewis bases, electron donors or nucleophiles. In these methods, the inhibitor blocks the reaction for several hours and the catalyst is then reactivated by heating. The disadvantage of these solutions is that they require filling the mold in which the metathesis reaction is carried out at a temperature significantly lower than the reactivation temperature of the catalyst. From the point of view of the economy of the process, it would however be desirable to minimize the difference between the filling temperature of the mold and the reaction temperature and therefore to propose another means for reactivating the metathesis reaction.

A solution to this problem has been proposed in document US Pat. No. 4,933,402, which recommends the use of alkylphosphites. In this document, a composition containing these inhibitors and a catalytic activator of the alkylaluminum halide type is brought into contact with a composition containing the catalyst (a tungsten halide) when the mold is filled at 80 ° C. However, this solution only allows the metathesis reaction to be delayed for a few minutes, which is insufficient for the manufacture of large parts. In addition, these inhibitors are used in combination with a catalytic system very different from the ruthenium complexes currently used. However, there is a prejudice that the phosphites completely block the polymerization reaction in the case of ruthenium catalysts (EP 0 865 449), except in the case of ruthenium type catalysts salicylaldimine / chlorosilane (EP 2,460,587). Finally, it is mentioned in document US Pat. No. 4,933,402 that the metathesis catalysts must be formulated in the presence of an additive of the Lewis base or chelating type to ensure their stability on storage at room temperature.

The use of alkylphosphites to delay the polymerization of cycloolefins such as dicyclopentadiene, in the presence of a ruthenium catalyst (in this case the Grubbs II catalyst), was also recommended in document US 2018/230642 which relates more particularly on the manufacture of fibrous composites by frontal polymerization (FROMP). Again, the reaction is reactivated by heating, so that this process has the same disadvantages as those mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Applicant has demonstrated, against all expectations, that the metathesis reactions catalyzed by ruthenium complexes coordinated by two asymmetric unsaturated NHC ligands can be slowed down or even blocked for several hours by the use of specific retarding agents and that they can be reactivated on demand by adding a specific chemical activator. It also demonstrated that these retarding agents made it possible to extend the storage time of these catalysts at ambient temperature.

The subject of the invention is therefore a process for metathesis of olefins, comprising contacting:

at least one olefin,

a metathesis catalyst comprising at least one ruthenium alkylidene complex comprising two identical or different N-heterocyclic diaminocarbene ligands, at least one of which is l-aryl-3-cycloalkyl-imidazoline-2-ylidene ligand,

- a retarding agent consisting of at least one phosphite,

and an activator chosen from Lewis acids, peroxides and their mixtures.

It also relates to a kit for implementing this process, characterized in that it comprises:

a first composition containing said catalyst, and optionally said at least one olefin, and

- A second composition containing said at least one olefin and said activator, wherein said retarding agent is included in the first and / or the second composition. The subject of the invention is also a process for delaying the metathesis of olefins in the presence of a catalyst comprising at least one ruthenium alkylidene complex comprising two identical or different N-heterocyclic diaminocarbene ligands, including at least one l-aryl- ligand. 3-cycloalkyl-imidazoline-2-ylidene, comprising bringing said catalyst into contact with a retarding agent consisting of at least one phosphite, followed by activation of the catalyst using an activator chosen from Lewis acids , peroxides and their mixtures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Definitions

By "halogen" is meant fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

"Cycloalkyl" means a cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon group, which can be monocyclic or polycyclic. When the group is polycyclic, that is to say that it comprises more than one cyclic nucleus, the cyclic nuclei can advantageously be condensed two by two or attached two by two by bonds. The cycloalkyl group is preferably a monocyclic hydrocarbon group having a number of carbon atoms greater than 2, preferably from 3 to 24, more preferably from 4 to 12 , or a polycyclic group (bi- or tricyclic) having a number of carbon atoms greater than 4, preferably from 6 to 18, such as for example the norbomyl or isopinocamphyle groups.

By "alkyl" is meant a saturated, linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, in particular a methyl, ethyl, isobutyl, octyl or dodecyl group. The alkyl group preferably has from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and even more preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples of preferred alkyl groups are in particular methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl and tert-butyl groups.

By “heteroalkyl” group is meant a linear or branched hydrocarbon chain having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms interrupted by one or more heteroatoms such as N, S or O. The heteroalkyl group can in particular be chosen from polyalkyleneoxy, alkoxy groups (alkyl-O-), alkylamino (alkyl-NH-), dialkylamino ((alkyl) (alkyl) N-), alkoxycarbonyl (alkyl-O-CO-), alkylcarbonyloxy (alkyl-CO-O-), alkylcarbonyl (alkyl -CO-), alkylaminocarbonyl (alkyl-NH-CO-) and alkylamido (alkyl-CO-NH-).

By "alkenyl" is meant an unsaturated, linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group containing from 2 to 14 carbon atoms, in particular an ethenyl, vinyl, isopropenyl or butenyl group. By "aryl" is meant a 6 to 20-membered aromatic, monocyclic or polycyclic carbocyclic group. Examples of aryl groups are phenyl and naphthyl.

By "heteroaryl" is meant an aromatic mono- or polycyclic group, each cycle of which contains 3 to 6 members and at least one member of which contains a heteroatom, in particular a thiophenyl, pyridinyl, pyrrolyl, furanyl, indolyl, thiophenyl, benzofuranyl group. , benzothiophenyl, imidazolyle, oxazolyle, thiazolyle, pyrazolyle, isoxazolyle, isothiazolyle, quinolinyle, isoquinolinyle.

By "carbocycle" or "hydrocarbon cycle" means a mono- or polycyclic hydrocarbon group optionally unsaturated, aliphatic or aromatic, containing from 5 to 20 carbon atoms, in particular an indenyl group.

The process according to the invention is a process for metathesis of olefins, comprising contacting:

at least one olefin,

a metathesis catalyst consisting of at least one ruthenium alkylidene complex comprising two identical or different N-heterocyclic diaminocarbene ligands, at least one of which is l-aryl-3-cycloalkyl-imidazoline-2-ylidene ligand,

- a retarding agent consisting of at least one phosphite,

and an activator chosen from Lewis acids, peroxides and their mixtures.

Olefin

By olefin is meant a compound having at least one carbon-carbon double bond. The olefin can be functionalized or not, that is to say contain one or more functional groups chosen from the group consisting of a hydroxyl, a thiol, a ketone, an aldehyde, an ester, an ether, an amine, a nitro group, a carboxylic acid, a sulfide, a disulfide, a carbonate, an isocyanate, a carbodiimide, a halogen, a cyano group and a sulfonate. The olefin can be cyclic (constrained cycle or not) or acyclic, a diene, or even an unsaturated polymer.

It is preferred that none of the olefins comprise a conjugated double bond, in particular an oxo function conjugated to a double bond. It is particularly preferred that the olefin is distinct from an a, b-unsaturated ketone or aldehyde. Thus, the olefin is advantageously distinct from acrolein or crotonaldehyde, for example. In the remainder of this description, and unless otherwise indicated, the term "olefin" is used to denote both a single olefin and a mixture of several different olefins. It should therefore be understood as equivalent to "one or more olefins".

Catalyst

The catalyst used according to the invention comprises at least one ruthenium alkylidene complex as described below. It can thus be made up of at least one such complex and at least one complex distinct from those described below. Alternatively, it can consist of at least two complexes as described below. In the following description, all of these variants will be included in the definition of the "catalyst" according to the invention.

The term "alkylidene ruthenium complex" means a pentacoordinated ruthenium complex comprising a monodentate or bidentate alkylidene ligand. The ruthenium complex according to the invention also comprises two identical or different N-heterocyclic diaminocarbene ligands, at least one l-aryl-3-cycloalkyl-imidazoline-2-ylidene ligand, which are coordinated to the ruthenium atom and whose aryl and cycloalkyl groups may optionally be substituted. This complex can thus comprise two identical or different l-aryl-3-cycloalkyl-imidazoline-2-ylidene ligands or else a l-aryl-3-cycloalkyl-imidazoline-2-ylidene ligand (unsaturated heterocycle) and a l-aryl ligand. -3-cycloalkyl-imidazolidine-2-ylidene (saturated heterocycle) in which the aryl and cycloalkyl groups, respectively, may be the same or different. The additional ligands carried by the ruthenium complex used according to the invention can for example be chosen from the group consisting of anionic ligands, such as the halides, in particular the chlorides.

The ruthenium complex can thus comprise one or two anionic ligands, in addition to the monodentate or bidentate alkylidene ligand and two l-aryl-3-cycloalkyl-imidazoline-2-ylidene ligands. Advantageously, it does not contain any other ligand.

The ruthenium complex used according to the invention thus preferably corresponds to formula (1) below:

in which :

X denotes a hydrogen or halogen atom or an alkyl or aryl group,

Y denotes a halogen atom, such as chlorine, fluorine, bromine or iodine,

B denotes a cycloalkyl group,

Ar represents an aryl group optionally substituted by at least one substituent chosen from: halogen atoms, and in particular chlorine or fluorine, trifluoromethyl, nitro, alkyl, heteroalkyl or alkylammonium groups and aryl groups which are unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl groups,

Al represents a hydrogen atom,

A2 represents an alkyl or alkenyl group, an aryl group or a heteroaryl group, or else A1 and A2 together form a carbocycle optionally substituted by at least one group chosen from alkyl, heteroalkyl and aryl groups. In one embodiment of the invention, A2 represents a vinyl, methyl, thiophenyl or phenyl group. In a preferred embodiment, A1 and A2 together form an optionally substituted indenyl group.

Preferably, the complex of formula (1) corresponds to the following formula (1-1):

in which B is a cycloalkyl group; Ar is an aryl group unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group chosen from halogen atoms and trifluoromethyl, nitro, alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkylammonium and aryl groups, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl groups; the groups X are independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an aryl group and an alkyl group; a, b, c, d, e and f are chosen independently of one another from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a heteroalkyl group and a phenyl group, or a and b can together form a hydrocarbon ring optionally substituted by at least one group chosen from alkyl, halo and alkoxy groups. According to the invention, it is preferred that B is chosen from the group consisting of cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, cyclodecyl, cyclododecyl and cyclopentadecyl. More preferably, B is cyclohexyl.

In addition, it is preferred that Ar is a phenyl group substituted by at least one group chosen from halogen atoms, and in particular chlorine or fluorine, trifluoromethyl, nitro, alkyl, in particular methyl or isopropyl, and alkoxy groups. . More preferably, Ar is chosen from the group consisting of 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, 2,6-diisopropylphenyl, 2,4,6-tris (trifluoromethyl) phenyl, 2,4,6-trichlorophenyl and l 'hexafluorophenyl. Better still, Ar is 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, also designated by "mesityl".

For their part, the groups X preferably each represent a hydrogen atom. Furthermore, it is preferred that a, c, d, e and f represent a hydrogen atom and b a phenyl group.

In another embodiment of the invention, the ruthenium complex used according to the invention corresponds to the following formula (2):

in which X, B, Ar, a, b, c, d, e and f have the meaning indicated above and A is an organic or inorganic anion, in particular an acetate, trifluoroacetate, chloride, tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate or sulfonate anion such as a triflate.

The ruthenium complexes used according to the invention have the advantage of being highly stable, in the sense that they can be stored for several months in air without degrading.

Preferred examples of catalysts which can be used according to the invention are illustrated below.

The ruthenium complex used according to the invention can in particular be prepared according to the process described in patent application WO2014 / 091157, from a 1,3-disubstituted imidazolium salt and a precursor ruthenium complex , such as the complexes PI, P2 or P3 represented below.

The synthesis of the imidazolium salt can itself be carried out as described in application WO2014 / 091156, by bringing an aniline Ar-NH2 into contact with an amine B-NH2 in the presence of a Bronsted acid such as l acetic acid, then adding this mixture to a solution containing a dicarbonyl compound, at a temperature of 80 ° C., followed by the addition of an inorganic salt, in particular a tetrafluoroborate salt, and of a solvent such as dichloromethane, extraction using water / organic solvent, evaporation of the organic solvent and then precipitation of the imidazolium salt with a polar organic solvent.

The catalyst used in the metathesis process according to the invention can be used in the absence or in the presence of a solvent which can be any organic solvent, such as aliphatic hydrocarbons, in particular n-hexane and paraffin liquid; alicyclic hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane or dimethylcyclohexane; aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and xylene; oxygenated compounds, in particular alcohols such as methanol and ethanol, ketones such as acetone, ethers such as diethyl ether, esters such as ethyl acetate, dimethyl carbonate and heterocycles oxygenates such as tetrahydrofuran or dioxane; halogenated compounds such as dichloromethane, in particular perfluorinated, such as hexafluorobenzene and hexafluorotoluene; and their mixtures.

The concentration of the catalyst in the solvent can be between 0.005 mol / 1 and 100 mol / 1, preferably between 0.01 and 0.5 mol / 1, better still, between 0.01 and 0.1 mol / 1.

In one embodiment of the invention, the catalyst is dissolved in an organic solvent. Alternatively, the catalyst is dissolved in the olefin and the process does not use an organic solvent.

Delay agent

The retarding agent used according to the invention consists of at least one phosphite. The phosphites which can be used correspond to the formula P (OR) ₃ where the groups R are identical or different and independently denote H, an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, a heteroaryl, and an aryl optionally substituted by one or more groups, chosen in particular from halogens and alkyl groups. As a variant, two groups R can join to form a ring optionally substituted by a group - (R'0) ₂ POR 'where the groups R' are identical or different and independently denote H, an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, a heteroaryl, and an aryl optionally substituted by one or more groups, chosen in particular from halogens and alkyl groups. Preferably, R is an alkyl group, in particular an ethyl, or a phenyl substituted by an alkyl group, in particular methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or nonyl.

The molar ratio of the retarding agent to the catalyst is advantageously between 1: 10 and 10: 1, preferably between 1: 1 and 5: 1. In any event, the skilled person will be able to adjust the amount of l delaying agent used depending on the nature of the delaying agent.

Activator

In the process according to the invention, the catalyst is reactivated using an activator chosen from Lewis acids, peroxides and their mixtures. Examples of Lewis acids are in particular the halides of copper, silver, manganese, iron, ruthenium, magnesium or aluminum or the compounds of formula Zn (R ') 2, Sn (R') 2, Sn (R ') 4 and Si (R') ₄ where the groups R 'denote, independently of each other, a halogen atom or an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl group such as a phenyl, or benzyl. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Lewis acid is chosen from: CuCl, SiCL and PhSiCh where Ph denotes a phenyl group.

As peroxides which can be used according to the invention, mention may be made of the peroxides represented by the formula R ¹ -0-0- (R ² -0-0) _n -R ³ in which:

- R ¹ and R ³ are identical or different, and denote a hydrogen, an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, an aryl or a group of formula R ⁴ C (0) - in which R ⁴ denotes an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, an alkoxy, or aryl;

- R ² denotes an alkyl; and

- n is 0, 1, or 2.

Examples of peroxides include alkyl peroxyacetates, alkyl peroxypropionates, alkyl peroxyisobutyrates, alkyl peroxypivalates, alkyl peroxycarbonates, dialkyl peroxyadipates and alkyl peroxybenzoates. These compounds are available from Akzo Nobel under the name Trigonox ^® or from Arkema under the name Luperox ^®.

More particularly, R ¹ and R ² may be, independently of one another, hydrogen, tert-butyl, tert-amyl, [bis (acetyl)] -methyl, or a group of formula R ⁴ C (0) - in which R ⁴ denotes a phenyl, an undecyl, or a 2-ethylhexyloxy.

Examples of R ² groups are in particular those represented by the formulas (R ^2a ), (R ^2b ), (R ^2c ) and (R ^2d ):

Preferably, n is 0. The molar ratio of the activator to the catalyst is advantageously between 1: 10 and 10: 1, preferably between 1: 1 and 5: 1. In any event, those skilled in the art will be able to adjust the amount of activator used depending on the nature of the activator.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the molar ratio of the activator to the retarder is between 1: 100 and 10: 1.

The retarding agent and the activator used according to the invention may, independently of one another, be in the form of a pure solid, such as a powder or granules, of a pure liquid, a dilute solution, suspension, or dispersion.

Process

The process according to the invention is a process for metathesis of olefins. The olefin metathesis can be a cross olefin metathesis, a cyclizing olefin metathesis, ring opening metathesis polymerization, terminal olefin homometathesis or acyclic diene polymerization (ADMET).

In the case of a homometathesis process, a single terminal olefin (or α-olefin) is used, or a mixture of terminal olefins such as those resulting from the Fischer-Tropsch process. It is thus preferred that the metathesis reaction is applied to linear α-olefins having from 3 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 4 to 14 carbon atoms and even more preferably from 5 to 10 carbon atoms. Examples include pent-l-ene, hex-l-ene, hept-l-ene, oct-1-ene, non-l-ene or dec-l-ene. These olefins can be transformed by metathesis into heavier olefins which can be used in particular in the manufacture of plasticizers or lubricants.

In the case of a cross-metathesis reaction, two olefins are used, which are independently chosen from terminal and internal olefins and advantageously consist of two terminal olefins. This reaction consists of a transalkylidenation of the two olefins which is especially useful in the synthesis of ceramides, pheromones or pharmaceutical intermediates. In the particular case of ethenolysis, an internal olefin, generally functionalized, such as methyl oleate, is reacted with ethylene to form terminal olefins. This latter reaction, which is generally carried out under pressure, is of great interest in the oleochemical industry because it makes it possible to develop the biomass (vegetable seed oil) by metathesis. It is thus possible to obtain products useful in the manufacture of surfactants or polyamides, for example. Each of the olefins thus produced can then optionally be subjected to a cross metathesis process.

The metathesis of olefins with ring closure, or cyclizing metathesis, consists of forming a cyclic alkene from a molecule comprising two terminal or internal vinyl groups. It is also possible, depending on this reaction, to prepare polycyclic or heterocyclic compounds (comprising one or more oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur or phosphorus atoms in their cycle (s)), optionally functionalized with one or more epoxy, alcohol, ester, ketone, amide or amine groups. The compounds obtained find in particular an application as pharmaceutical active agents or as odorous molecules. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said metathesis process is a cyclizing metathesis process and said olefin is a terminal unsaturation olefin such as 1,7-octadiene, or exaltolide.

Polymerization by ring opening metathesis (or ROMP for "Ring-Opening Polymerization Metathesis") consists in forming a polymer from a cyclic olefin, or "cycloolefin", the cycle of which is advantageously constrained. Cycloolefin is advantageously chosen from bridged cycloalkenes, unbridged cycloalkenes, their oligomers and their mixtures. By "cycloalkene" is meant a cyclic hydrocarbon comprising at least one double bond. Bridged cycloalkenes are generally the reaction products of cyclopentadiene with a dienophile, such as dicyclopentadiene, norbomene, norbomadiene, ethylidene norbomene, vinylnorbomene, 5-alkyl-2-norbomene, 5, 6-dialkyl- 2 -norbomene, 5-alkenyl-2 -norbomene, 5-alkoxycarbonyl-2-norbomene, 5-phenyl-2 -norbomene and norbomene dicarboxylic anhydride. Unbridged cycloalkenes can in particular be chosen from cycloheptene, cyclooctene, cyclododecene and cyclooctadiene.

One of the advantages of the catalysts used according to the present invention is to minimize, or even eliminate, the formation of isomerization products during the abovementioned reactions. The separation of the reaction products is thus facilitated and the overall economy of the process is improved. The molar ratio of said olefin or of each of said olefins to said catalyst is advantageously between 15,000: 1 and 50: 1, preferably between 10,000: 1 and 100: 1, more preferably between 3,000: 1 and 500: 1. In any condition As a result, those skilled in the art will be able to adjust the catalytic charge as a function of the type of reaction which is carried out and the reagents involved.

The reaction mixture may contain, in addition to the solvent optionally present in the catalyst solution when the latter is used in this form, at least one reaction solvent. This solvent can be chosen from the organic solvents listed above. It is preferred in this invention to use an oxygenated solvent, more particularly ethyl acetate, or alternatively a hydrocarbon, preferably toluene. However, the presence of a reaction solvent is not essential since one of the olefins can play this role.

In one embodiment, the method according to the invention can be implemented in the presence of one or more additives, in particular organic and / or inorganic fillers; reinforcements ; plasticizers; pigments and / or dyes; antioxidants; surfactants or amphiphilic polymers; flame retardants; UV absorbers; light stabilizers; anti-shock agents; anti-static agents; non-stick agents; lubricants; blowing agents; fungicides; and their mixtures. The fillers mentioned above can be in the form of powders, granules, beads, microspheres and particles of any form based on glass, metal oxides, metal carbides, metal nitrides, ceramics, fly ash, or alternatively of thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer or of elastomer. The method according to the invention can also be implemented in the presence of other additives such as chain transfer agents and / or crosslinking agents.

The process according to the invention can be carried out at atmospheric pressure or, more particularly in the case of ethenolysis, under pressure and, in the case in particular of the polymerization of acyclic olefins (ADMET), under partial vacuum.

In the process according to the invention, the catalyst, the activator, the retarding agent and the olefin are brought into contact simultaneously or successively. Preferably, the catalyst, the retarding agent and the olefin are brought into contact until the system is homogenized, then the activator is added. The contacting of the catalyst, of olefin, of the retarding agent and of the activator is generally carried out with stirring until a homogeneous mixture is obtained which is then heated. Alternatively, the contacting of the catalyst, the olefin, the retarding agent and the activator can be carried out in a container such as a mold or a reaction tank, previously heated. The reaction can be carried out at a temperature of 20 to 190 ° C, preferably 60 to 110 ° C. When a reaction solvent is present, it is preferred that the reaction be carried out at reflux of this solvent. The duration of the reaction can be between approximately 1 minute and 10 h, preferably between 1 h and 6 h, for example between 2 h and 5 h.

According to one embodiment, the contacting of the catalyst, the olefin, the retarding agent and the activator is carried out by the contacting of at least two compositions, in which the catalyst are distributed, the olefin, the retarding agent and the activator. More particularly, the method may include contacting and mixing a first composition containing the olefin, the catalyst and the retarding agent, with a second composition containing the olefin and the activator. The first and second compositions are advantageously mixed in a volume ratio of between 50: 1 and 1: 50, preferably in a volume ratio of 5: 1 to 1: 5 and more preferably in a volume ratio of 1: 1.

In the first composition, the catalyst and the retarding agent may, independently of one another, be in the form of a solid or a liquid, dispersed or dissolved in one or more solvents and / or in olefin. In the second composition, the activator may be in the form of a solid or a liquid, dispersed or dissolved in one or more solvents and / or in the olefin.

It will be noted that the fillers possibly used in the process according to the invention may possibly be present in the mold in which the process of the invention is implemented.

In the case of a polymerization by metathesis with cycle opening, the method according to the invention can be used for the manufacture of parts according to different techniques and in particular by reactive injection molding, rotational molding, pultrusion, or resin infusion. The contacting and mixing of the catalyst, the olefin, the retarding agent and the activator can be carried out in the mold, or alternatively, outside the mold and then be introduced into the mold. The heated mixture in the mold is at least partially polymerized, so that the part takes shape in the mold and can then be removed from the mold.

The invention also relates to a kit for implementing the method according to the invention. This kit typically contains:

- A second composition containing said at least one olefin and said activator, wherein said retarding agent is included in the first and / or the second composition.

In a particular embodiment, the kit includes:

a first composition containing said at least one olefin, said catalyst and said retarding agent, and

- A second composition containing said at least one olefin and said activator.

In such an embodiment, the total amount of olefin is thus shared between two compositions.

In another particular embodiment, the kit comprises:

a first composition containing said catalyst, and

- a second composition containing said at least one olefin, said activator and said retarding agent.

In a preferred embodiment, the kit comprises:

a first composition containing said catalyst and said retarding agent, and

- A second composition containing said at least one olefin and said activator.

The additives mentioned above can be present, independently of each other, in one and / or the other of the compositions of the kit.

The invention further relates to a method for delaying the metathesis of olefins in the presence of a catalyst consisting of at least one ruthenium alkylidene complex comprising two identical or different N-heterocyclic diaminocarbene ligands, of which at least one l-aryl ligand -3- cycloalkyl-imidazoline-2-ylidene, comprising bringing said catalyst into contact with a retarding agent consisting of at least one phosphite, followed by activation of the catalyst using an activator chosen from Lewis acids, peroxides and their mixtures.

In the context of the present invention, an activator chosen from Lewis acids, peroxides and their mixtures can therefore be used for the activation of a catalyst consisting of at least one ruthenium alkylidene complex comprising two diaminocarbene N ligands -heterocyclic identical or different, including at least one ligand l-aryl-3-cycloalkyl-imidazoline-2-ylidene, said catalyst having been brought into contact with a delaying agent consisting of at least one phosphite, in a metathesis process d 'olefins.

FIGURES

Figure 1 shows the evolution of the conversion of a cyclizing metathesis reaction of

1,7-octadiene catalyzed by BisIMcsCV in the presence of P (OEt) 3 and various activators of Lewis acid type.

Figure 2 shows the evolution of the conversion of a cyclizing metathesis reaction of

1,7-octadiene catalyzed by BisIMcsCV, in the presence of P (OEt) 3 and various activators of the peroxide type.

Figure 3 represents the evolution of the conversion of a cyclizing metathesis reaction of

1,7-octadiene catalyzed by BisIMcsCV, in the presence of P (OEt) 3 and different amounts of SiCl ₄ .

EXAMPLES

The invention will be better understood in the light of the following examples, which are given purely by way of illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, defined by the appended claims.

Solvents and reagents

Unless otherwise indicated, all reactions were performed in the absence of air in dry glassware, using standard Schlenk techniques. Column chromatography was carried out with silica gel (spherical particle size 40 mhi, neutral). Preparation of imidazolium salts

Example of 3-cyclohexyl-1-mesitylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate.

Cyclohexylamine (1.13 mL, 10 mmol) is introduced into a flask and is cooled using an ice bath. Tetrafluoroboric acid (1.57 mL, 12 mmol) is added slowly with stirring and the ice bath is removed. 2,4,6-trimethylaniline (1.41 mL, 10 mmol), formaldehyde (0.74 mL, 10 mmol) and glyoxal (1.14 mL) are successively added with stirring then the mixture is brought to 90 ° C for 15 min. The mixture is cooled to ambient temperature and the selectivity measured by ¹ H NMR in CDCb (selectivity of 84% in IMesC6.HBF4, 6% in BisC6.HBF4 and 10% in BisMes.HBF4). The aqueous phase is removed by decantation and the crude product is dried under vacuum. Ethyl acetate is added (20 mL) and the mixture is triturated until a precipitate is formed. The solid is filtered, washed with ethyl acetate (2 x 10 mL) and then dried under vacuum. IMesC6.HBF4 salt is obtained in the form of a pale white solid (962 mg, 27%).

Catalyst preparation

Rimidazolium (3 mmol, 3 eq.) Was introduced into a Schlenk tube in a glove box, then 1 ml of toluene was added, followed by 6 ml of potassium hexamethyldisilazane (0.5M, 3 mmol, 3 eq. ). The mixture was then left under stirring for 30 minutes and then 0.92 g of precursor ruthenium complex (PI, P2 or P3 illustrated below; 1.0 mmol, 1 eq.) Was added all at once. The Schlenk tube was then closed and placed at 40 ° C outside the glove box. After 2 hours of reaction, the reaction medium was concentrated under vacuum and then purified by chromatography on silica gel.

The conversion rates were measured by NMR, using an internal standard. Viscosity measurement

Equipment used: Viscosimeter brand BROOKFIELD model DV1MLV with set of 4 mobiles. The RV1 mobile is preferably used because it allows the lowest viscosities to be measured.

250 ml of solution to be studied is placed in a 500 ml beaker. The mobile is immersed in the solution and the speed is adjusted on the viscometer so as to be in a torque range between 10 and 80%. The measurement is carried out for 20 minutes in order to have a stable viscosity value.

Representative procedure for implementing a cyclizing metathesis reaction of an olefin (1,7-octadiene) in the presence of a ruthenium catalyst (BisIMesC ₆ ), an activator (CuCl), and a retarder (P ( OEt) 3):

A stock solution of BisIMesCe (5.0 mg in 1 mL of toluene) and a stock solution of P (OEt) 3 (8.3 mg in 1 mL of toluene) were freshly prepared.

1,7-octadiene (29.6 pL; 0.2 mmol; 1 equiv.), Mesitylene (18.64 pL; 0.1334 mmol; 2/3 equiv.), CuCl were introduced into a schlenk. (1 mg; 0.01 mmol; 0.05 equiv.) And toluene (2 mL; 0.1 M). A portion of the P (OEt) 3 solution (200 pL; 0.01 mmol; 0.05 equiv.) As well as a portion of the BisIMesCe catalyst solution (360 pL; 0.002 mmol; 0.01 equiv.) have been added. 1 H NMR spectrum was recorded at tO. Then, the mixture was stirred at 80 ° C.

Samples were taken and then deactivated with ethyl vinyl ether. The 1 H NMR spectra in the CDCb were then recorded to calculate the conversion. The conversion is complete after one hour of reaction.

Unless otherwise stated, the reactions described below were carried out according to this procedure, adapting the conditions (nature of the reagent, quantities, absence of one or more reagents, temperature, etc.).

Example 1 Retarding Effect of Phosphite P (OEt) 3

The cyclizing metathesis reaction of 1,7-octadiene, catalyzed by BisIMcsCV, was studied in the presence of the CuCl activator and / or the phosphite P (OEt) 3 retarder.

As shown in Table 1, the reaction carried out in the absence of activator and retarder reaches a conversion of 100% after 30 minutes. The presence of 5 mol% of CuCl only strongly accelerates the reaction since a complete conversion is obtained after only 2 minutes, while the presence of 5 mol% of P (OEt) ₃ only strongly slows down the reaction (no conversion after 6 h ). The reaction time can be adjusted to 1 hour using an equimolar mixture of CuCl and P (OEt) ₃ (5 mol% of each).

Example 2 Influence of the Nature of the Phosphite

In this study, 5 mol% of the CuCl activator were added to a mixture containing 1,7-octadiene, 6 mol% of phosphite and 1 mol% of BisIMcsCV, after 3 hours of reaction. The conversion was measured at t = 3 h (ie before the addition) and then at t = 4 h (ie 1 hour after the addition).

The use of 5 mol% of a phosphite substituted by alkyl (ethyl) or aromatic (nonylphenyl) groups slows down, even inhibits, the reaction. The addition of 5 mol% of CuCl to the reaction mixture makes it possible to initiate the reaction and achieve complete conversion after 1 hour (Table 2).

Example 3 Influence of the amount of phosphite

In this study, 5 mol% of the CuCl activator were added to a mixture containing 1,7-octadiene, n mol% of phosphite (n = 0.5; 1; 2.5) and 1 mol% of BisIMcsCV ,, after 3 hours of reaction. The conversion was measured at t = 3 h (ie before the addition) and then at t = 4 h (ie 1 hour after the addition).

As shown in Table 3, a higher amount of phosphite P (OEt) 3 or P (OiPr) 3 makes it possible to further slow down the metathesis reaction. The addition of 5 mol% of CuCl to the reaction mixture makes it possible to initiate the reaction and achieve complete conversion after 1 hour. Example 4: Influence of the nature of the activator

The cyclizing metathesis reaction of 1,7-octadiene catalyzed by BisIMcsCV and delayed by P (OEt) 3 was studied in the presence of various types of activators, chosen from Lewis acids and peroxides.

Table 4 shows that the nature of the activator influences the time necessary to reach a complete conversion: this can be obtained after only 1 or 2 hours using 2 mol% of a Lewis acid such as CuCl or SiCL, while several hours will be necessary with the peroxides (Figures 1 and 2). This study demonstrates the great flexibility of the system for an adapted control of the reaction speed. Example 5: Influence of the amount of activator

The cyclizing metathesis reaction of 1,7-octadiene catalyzed by BisIMcsCV and delayed by P (OEt) 3 was studied in the presence of different amounts of PhSiCL and SiCL. T

The use of 0.1 mol% to 10 mol% of PhSiCL achieves a conversion of 100% in times between 1 and 3 hours (Table 5). A complete or almost complete conversion is achieved in 5-6 hours with 0.1 mol% to 1 mol% of SiC ^' L and in 1-2 hours with 2 mol% to 10 mol% (Table 5 and Figure 3).

Example 6 Influence of the Nature of the Catalyst

In this study, 5 mol% of the activator SiCL were added to a mixture containing 1,7-octadiene, 1 mol% of P (OEt) 3 and 1 mol% of catalyst, after 3 hours of reaction. The conversion was measured at t = 3 h (either before addition) and then at t = 4 or 5 h (either 1 or 2 hours respectively after addition).

Table 6.

A low conversion (32%) of the reaction catalyzed by BisIMesCi2 is obtained after 3 hours, demonstrating the retarding effectiveness of phosphite P (OEt) 3 with this catalyst. A complete conversion is obtained 2 hours after the addition of 5 mol% of SiCU. Example 7: Study of the stability of the system in the absence of activator a) Depending on the amount of phosphite

b) In metathesis polymerization with cycle opening

Procedure: A stock solution of BisIMesCe (5.0 mg in 1 mL THF) was freshly prepared. Into a microwave tube were introduced sublimed Norbomene (47.1 mg; 0.5 mmol; 1 equiv.), P (OEt) 3 (4.3 pL; 0.025 mmol; 0.05 equiv.) And THF (2 mL). A portion of the BisIMesCe catalyst solution (0.9 mL; 0.005 mmol; 0.01 equiv.) Was added. 1 H NMR spectrum was recorded at tO. Then the mixture was stirred at room temperature. At a time t, a sample was taken and the 1 H NMR spectra, in the CDCb, were then recorded to calculate the conversion.

The mixture of 1 mol% of BisIMcsCV catalyst and of norbornene leads to the polymerization product in 1 hour. On the other hand, this mixture can be stabilized with 5 mol% of P (OEt) 3 for at least 24 hours, since no conversion is observed during this time (Table 8). c) Stability in DCPD at 40 ° C

The viscosity measurements show that a solution of DCPD comprising P (OEt) 3 and BisIMcsCV, according to a molar ratio [P (OEt) ₃ / BisIMesC ₆ ] greater than or equal to 4/1 is stable at 40 ° C over a period at least 3 weeks. Example 8: Comparative study

The phosphite retarding effect (in the absence of an activator) has been studied with various catalysts of the BisIMesC _x type (x = 5, 6, 7, 8 and 12) used in the present invention, as well as the catalysts described in state of the art.

The results set out in Table 9 demonstrate that 5 mol% of phosphite P (OEt) 3 delay the polymerization of 1,7-octadiene in the presence of 1 mol% of catalyst of the BisIMesC _x type, with x = 5, 6, 7, 8 or 12, since no conversion is observed after 6 hours. On the other hand, a total conversion is obtained with the state of the art catalysts Mi, M2, EL and HGi after only 1 hour, which confirms that the phosphites are not retarding agents suitable for conventional ruthenium catalysts.

Claims

1. Process for metathesis of olefins, comprising contacting:

at least one olefin,

- a retarding agent consisting of at least one phosphite,

and an activator chosen from Lewis acids, peroxides and their mixtures.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the metathesis of olefins is chosen from cross metathesis of olefins, cyclizing metathesis of olefins, polymerization by metathesis with ring opening, homometathesis of terminal olefins and the polymerization of acyclic olefins.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that said metathesis process is a metathesis polymerization process with ring opening and in that said olefin consists of at least one cycloolefin chosen from: cyclopentadiene, oligomers of cyclopentadiene, norbomene, norbomadiene, ethylidene norbomene, vinylnorbomene, 5-alkyl-2 -norbomene, 5, 6-dialkyl-2 -norbomene, 5 -alkenyl-2 -norbomene, 5-alkoxycarbonyl- 2 -norbomene, 5 -phenyl-2 -norbomene, norbomene dicarboxylic anhydride, cyclohexene, cycloheptene, cyclooctene, cyclododecene and cyclooctadiene, said cycloolefins possibly being functionalized, as well as their mixtures.

4. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that said metathesis process is a cyclizing metathesis process and in that said olefin is a terminal unsaturation olefin such as 1,7-octadiene and exaltolide.

5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said Lewis acid is chosen from halides of copper, silver, manganese, iron, methylene, magnesium or aluminum or the compounds of formula Zn (R ') 2, Sn (R') 2, Sn (R ') 4 and Si (R') ₄ where the groups R 'denote, independently of one another, a halogen atom or an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, phenyl or benzyl group, and their mixtures, preferably Lewis acid is chosen from: CuCl, SiCL and PhSiCh where Ph denotes a phenyl group.

6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the molar ratio of the activator to the catalyst is between 1: 10 and 10: 1, preferably between 1: 1 and 5: 1.

7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said ruthenium complex is chosen from the compounds of formula (1)

in which :

X denotes a hydrogen or halogen atom or an alkyl or aryl group,

Y denotes a halogen atom, such as chlorine, fluorine, bromine or iodine,

B denotes a cycloalkyl group,

Al represents a hydrogen atom,

A2 represents an alkyl or alkenyl group, an aryl group or a heteroaryl group, or else A1 and A2 together form a carbocycle optionally substituted by at least one group chosen from alkyl, heteroalkyl and aryl groups.

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that said ruthenium complex is chosen from the compounds of formula (1-1):

in which B is a cycloalkyl group; Ar is an aryl group unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group chosen from halogen atoms and trifluoromethyl, nitro, alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkylammonium and aryl groups, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl groups; the groups X are independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an aryl group and an alkyl group; a, b, c, d, e and f are chosen independently of each other from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a heteroalkyl group and a phenyl group or a and b can together form a hydrocarbon ring optionally substituted by at least one group chosen from alkyl, halo and alkoxy groups.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that a, c, d, e and f represent a hydrogen atom and b is a phenyl group.

10. The method of claim 8 or 9, characterized in that Ar is chosen from the group consisting of 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, 2,6-diisopropylphenyl, 2,4,6-tris (trifluoromethyl) phenyl, 2,4,6-trichlorophenyl and hexafluorophenyl, preferably Ar is 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl.

11. Method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that B is chosen from the group consisting of cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, cyclodecyl, cyclododecyl and cyclopentadecyl, preferably B is cyclohexyl.

12. Method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the groups X each represent a hydrogen atom.

13. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the retarding agent is a phosphite of formula P (OR) ₃ where the groups R are identical or different and independently denote H, an alkyl, a cycloalkyl , a heteroaryl, and an aryl optionally substituted by one or more groups, chosen in particular from halogens and alkyl groups, or else two groups R can join to form a ring optionally substituted by a group - (R'0) ₂ POR 'where the groups R' are the same or different and independently denote H, an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, a heteroaryl, and an aryl optionally substituted by one or more groups, chosen in particular from halogens and alkyl groups.

14. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the molar ratio of the retarding agent to the catalyst is between 1: 10 and 10: 1, preferably between 1: 1 and 5: 1.

15. Kit for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it comprises:

16. Method for delaying the metathesis of olefins in the presence of a catalyst consisting of at least one ruthenium alkylidene complex comprising two identical or different N-heterocyclic diaminocarbene ligands, including at least one l-aryl-3-cycloalkyl- ligand imidazoline-2-ylidene, comprising contacting said catalyst with a retarding agent consisting of at least one phosphite, followed by activation of the catalyst using an activator chosen from Lewis acids, peroxides and their mixtures.