2,2'-Bis(2-indenyl) biphenyl

2,2'-Bis(2-indenyl) biphenyl is a ligand used to make complexes of titanium, zirconium and hafnium. Zirconium and hafnium complexes made from this ligand were found to be active catalysts for the polymerization of ethylene and propylene. This work has been patented by DSM Research Ref|1, and their work was further described in a paper in the Journal of Organic Chemistry Ref|2. The ligand was originally prepared by the Bosnich group at The University of Chicago Ref|3. One of the original authors was Bill Odenkirk, who later became known for his work on television shows such as Mr. Show, Futurama and The Simpsons.

References

* H. J. Arts, M. Kranenburg, R. H. A. M. Meijers, E. G. Ijpeij, G. J. M. Gruter and F. H. Beijer. "Indenyl Compounds for the Polymerization of Olefins" US Patent 6,342,622; Jan. 29, 2002.
* E. G. Ijpeij, F. H. Beijer, H. J. Arts, C. Newton, J. G. de Vries and G. J. M. Gruter. "A Suzuki Coupling Based Route to 2,2'-Bis(2-indenyl)biphenyl Derivatives," "J. Org. Chem." 2002, "67", 169-176.
* W. W. Ellis, T. K. Hollis, W. Odenkirk, J. Whelan, R. Ostrander, A. L. Rheingold and B. Bosnich. "Synthesis, structure, and properties of chiral titanium and zirconium complexes bearing biaryl strapped substituted cyclopentadienyl ligands," "Organometallics", 1993, "12", 4391-4401.