Synthetic studies of organodi-π-cyclopentadienyl- titanium (III) derivatives

Two synthetic routes to compounds of the type π-Cp₂Ti^IIIR (R=CH₃, CH₂Si(CH₃)₃, C₆F₅) have been investigated: (a) chemical reduction of π-Cp₂Ti^IV(R)Cl by zinc or aluminum metal in tetrahydrofuran, and (b) conventional organometallic syntheses using organo-lithium or -magnesium reagents and π-Cp₂Ti^IIICl]₂. The preferred route is via an organolithium reagent, since chemical reduction gives a mixture of products. Green, monomeric complexes (R = CH₂Si(CH₃)₃, C₆F₅) were isolated and characterised. From the reaction of π-Cp₂Ti^IVCl₂ and trimethylsilylmethyllithium in a 1/1 ratio, π-CpTi^IV CH₂Si(CH₃)₃]₃ was obtained. Unlike π-Cp₂Ti^IIIC₆F₅, π-Cp₂Ti^IIICH₂Si(CH₃)₃ does not form a blue complex with molecular nitrogen.