The application of 13C and 1H NMR spectroscopy to the investigation of the dinitrogen fixation process in the system (η-C5H5)2TiCl2-Mg

The N₂ reduction reaction in the system (η-C₅H₅)₂TiCl₂-Mg in tetrahydrofuran was examined. The ¹³C and ¹H NMR results as well as the chemical properties of the products formed revealed that the reaction yielded a mixture of compounds in which the titanium atom was bonded both to the μ-(η⁵: η⁵-fulvalene) ligand and to the cyclopentadienyl ligands. In this system dinitrogen undergoes reduction to N^3?, which then forms M₃N bridges (M = Ti, Mg). The nitride nitrogen may readily be oxidized to imide nitride N^?1, which may react further, e.g. with carbon monoxide to produce isocyanates, or, with excess oxidizing agent N₂. THF in this system undergoes polymerisation. In addition, a ?OC₄H₉ alkoxy group is formed which makes the substitution of the cyclopentadienyl group bonded to the titanium atoms possible.