The synthesis of phosphine-based ligands and their application in Pd-catalysed processes in the production of polymethylmethacrylate

Abstract

The research describes the synthesis, characterisation and use of metallocenebased ligands. Examples of these include those bearing a C4-bridged diphosphine moiety.
In researching this topic, routes towards bis-1,2-disubstituted ferrocenes and ruthenocenes were developed. The catalyst ligands as their palladium complexes were tested in the palladium catalysed reaction of carbon monoxide, methanol and ethene to obtain methyl propanoate, a key intermediate in the industrial preparation of methyl methacrylate. The catalytic results were highly favourable in terms of initial rate and turnover when compared to the performance of the existing ligand of choice for this function.

Date of Award	Feb 2008
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Bangor University
Sponsors	Lucite International
Supervisor	Ian Butler (Supervisor)