Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of α-keto ylide-containing Group 4 metal complexes. The X-ray molecular structure of [Cp*ZrCl3(2-TCMP)], Cp*=η5-C5Me5, 2-TCMP=[{2-thiazolylcarbonyl}methylene]triphenylphosphorane

The species TiCl4(thf)2 and ZrCl4 reacted with a heterocycle-containing α-keto stabilized phosphorus ylide, 2-TCMP=[{2-thiazolylcarbonyl}methylene]triphenylphosphorane, to give the complexes [MCl4(2-TCMP)], M=Ti (1), M=Zr (2). Reactions of 1 and 2 with AgCF3SO3 afforded the heterometallic complexes [MCl4(2-TCMP)Ag]CF3SO3, M=Ti (3), M=Zr (4), and 2 also reacted with LiCp*, Cp*=C5Me5, to give the cyclopentadienyl-containing complex [Cp*ZrCl3(2-TCMP)] (5). Complex 5 was also isolated, in greater yield, by an alternative method involving the reaction of [Cp*ZrCl3]n with the 2-TCMP ligand. The X-ray molecular structure of 5 was established and an X-ray study of the ligand was also carried out in order to compare the ligand and complex. Finally, the reactions of 5 with PhCH2MgCl and AgCF3SO3 gave rise to the corresponding complexes [Cp*ZrCl2(CH2Ph)(2-TCMP)] (6) and [Cp*ZrCl3(2-TCMP)Ag]CF3SO3 (7).