Isolation and characterization of a monomeric cationic titanium hydride.

Abstract

Methyl cations 1-Cp and 1-Cp*, stabilized by the tri-tert-butylphophinimine ligand and either C5H5 or C5Me5, were generated from the neutral dimethyl precursors and [Ph3C]+[B(C6F5)4]-. Reaction of these compounds with H2 resulted in contrasting reactions. For 1-Cp, hydrogenolysis of the Ti-CH3 group led to rapid reduction to Ti(III) and production of a cationic Ti(III) dimer, 2, presumably formed upon loss of H2 from a transiently generated Ti(IV) hydride. Compound 2 was characterized crystallographically and via its cleavage with donor solvents such as THF to form the monomeric [Cp(L)Ti(THF)2]+[B(C6F5)4]-, 3. In contrast, 1-Cp* reacted rapidly with H2 to form a cationic Ti(IV) hydride species, 4, which was resistant to reduction. While only moderately stable in solution under H2, a stable, isolable THF adduct preciptitated upon addition of THF, giving 4.THF, which was fully characterized, including via X-ray crystallography. Naked hydride 4 was very reactive toward haloarene solvents such as bromobenzene, giving the cationic bromide [Cp*(L)TiBr]+[B(C6F5)4]-, 5, which was fully characterized as its THF adduct 5.THF. The contrasting behavior of 1-Cp and 1-Cp* is a result of the greater steric protection and electron donation provided by the Cp* ligand relative to the Cp donor.