Reactivity of cationic decamethylmetallocene complexes towards ketones

Reaction of decamethylmetallocene cations [Cp∗2M]+ (M = Sc, Ti, V) with acetone and benzophenone resulted in the formation of the corresponding acetone adducts [Cp∗2M(OCMe2)n]+ (M = Sc, n = 2; M = Ti, n = 1; M = V, n = 1) and benzophenone adducts [Cp∗2M(OCPh)]+. The stoichiometry of these adducts is determined by both the electronic configuration of the metal center as well as steric pressure imparted by the large Cp∗-ligands. In addition, the M–O–C angle is controlled by the number of free valence orbitals of the Cp∗2M unit.