Modeling the dynamic equilibrium between oligomers of (AlOCH3)n in methylaluminoxane (MAO). A theoretical study based on a combined quantum mechanical and statistical mechanical approach.

Density functional theory (DFT) has been used to calculate the energies of 36 different methylaluminoxane (MAO) cage structures with the general formula (MeAlO)n, where n ranges from 4 to 16. A least-squares fit has been used to devise a formula which predicts the total energies of the MAO with different n's giving an rms deviation of 4.70 kcal/mol. These energies in conjunction with frequency calculations based on molecular mechanics have been used to estimate the finite temperature enthalpies, entropies, and free energies for these MAO structures. Furthermore, formulas have been devised which predict finite temperature enthalpies and entropies for MAO structures of any n for a temperature range of 198.15-598.15 K. Using these formulas, the free energies at different temperatures have been predicted for MAO structures where n ranges from 17 to 30. The free energy values were then used to predict the percentage of each n found at a given temperature. Our calculations give an average n value of 18.41, 17.23, 16.89, and 15.72 at 198.15, 298.15, 398.15, and 598.15 K, respectively. Topological arguments have also been used to show that the MAO cage structure contains a limited amount of square faces as compared to octagonal and hexagonal ones. It is also suggested that the limited number of square faces with their strained Al-O bonds explain the high molar Al:catalyst ratio required for activation. Moreover, in this study we outline a general methodology which may be used to calculate the percent abundance of an equilibrium mixture of oligomers with the general formula (X)n.