The effect of titanium alkoxides in the synthesis of heterobimetallic complexes by titanocene(III) alkoxide-induced metal–metal bond cleavage of metal carbonyl dimers

A series of titanocene(III) alkoxides L2Ti(III)OR where L = Cp, R = Et(1b), tBu(1a), 2,6-Me2C6H3(1c), 2,6-tBu2-4-Me–C6H2(1d), or L = Cp*, R = Me(2e), tBu(2a), Ph(2f) was synthesized and subjected to reaction with [CpM(CO)3]2 [M = Mo, W], [CpRu(CO)2]2, and Co2(CO)8. The Ti(III) precursors 1a, 1c, 2a, 2e, and 2f reacted with [CpM(CO)3]2 [M = Mo, W] to form heterobimetallic complexes L2Ti(OR)(μ-OC)(CO)2MCp [M = Mo, W], of which Ti and M are linked by an isocarbonyl bridge. Reactions of these Ti(III) complexes with Co2(CO)8 resulted in formation of Ti–Co1 heterobimetallic complexes, View the MathML sourceCp2∗Ti(OtBu)(μ-OC)Co(CO)3 from 2a, 2e, or 2f, or Ti–Co3 tetrametallic complexes, Cp2Ti(OtBu)(μ-OC)Co3(CO)9 from 1a, 1b, or 1c. The products were characterized by NMR, IR, and X-ray crystallography. Reaction mechanisms were proposed from these results, in particular, from steric/electronic effects of titanium alkoxides.