Oxidation of Magnesium with Cyclopentadiene in Tetrahydrofuran Solution,Catalyzed by Chlorides of Group IV-VI Transition Metals

Chlorides of Ti(IV), V(III), Nb(V), and Mo(VI), in contrast to Cr(III) and Zr(IV) chlorides, catalyze oxidation of magnesium with cyclopentadiene to magnesium cyclopentadienide. The kinetic features of the process were revealed, and the composition and yield of reaction products were determined. Certain details of the reaction mechanism were discussed.