Cyclotrimerization of acetylene by the tris(acetylacetonato)titanium(III)–diethylaluminum chloride system

Reaction of acetylene with tris(acetylacetonato)titanium(III) and diethylaluminum chloride system leads to formation of benzene, a trace of ethylbenzene, and a small amount of polyacetylene. The isotopic composition of products obtained from cyclotrimerization of acetylene-d₂ and an equimolar mixture of acetylene and acetylene-d₂ is investigated to elucidate the mechanism of the cyclotrimerization. The results suggest a mechanism in which an acetylene inserts into the metal—ethyl bond formed by reaction of Ti(acac)₃ and Al(C₂H₅)₂Cl, followed by insertion of two acetylene molecules and elimination of a hydrogen atom from the first inserted acetylene to yield an ethylbenzene and a metal hydride intermediate. The metal hydride intermediate catalyzes acetylene cyclotrimerization to give benzene. During the reaction, the hydrogen atom in the metal hydride intermediate does not exchange with the hydrogen atom in the inserted acetylene molecules.