Double CO2 activation by 14-electron η8-permethylpentalene titanium dialkyl complexes

Abstract

The novel 14 electron species η⁸-Pn*TiR₂ (Pn* = C₈Me₆; R = Me, CH₂Ph) have been synthesised and spectroscopically and structurally characterised. Subsequent reaction with CO₂ leads to the activation and double insertion of CO₂ into both Ti–alkyl bonds to form the electronically saturated η⁸-Pn*Ti(κ²-O₂CR)₂ (R = Me, CH₂Ph) complexes.