Bis(eta-heteroarene)titanium complexes derived from 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylpyridine and 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphosphorin: Conformational preference in solution and redox activity

The complexes (Ti(NC(5)H(2)(t)Bu(3)-2,4,6)(2)] 1, and [Ti(PC(5)H(2)(t)Bu(3)-2,4,6)(2)] 2, have been synthesised in moderate yields via the co-condensation reaction between titanium vapour and [NC(5)H(2)(t)Bu(3)-2,4,6] 3, or [PC(5)H(2)(t)Bu(3)-2,4,6] 4 respectively. The conformation adopted by the molecules in solution has been investigated by NMR and is discussed in comparison with other first row transition metal bis(heteroarene) complexes. Both 1 and 2 are found to exist entirely in the synclinal conformation. The reaction of 1 and 2 with potassium results in formation of the potassium salts K+[{Ti(NC(5)H(2)(t)Bu(3))(2)}(-)] 5, and K+[{Ti(PC(5)H(2)(t)Bu(3))(2)}(-)] 6 respectively.