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, tBu, 2,6-Me2C6H3, 2,6-tBu2-4-Me-C6H2, or L = Cp*, R = Me, tBu, Ph was synthesized and subjected to reaction with [CpM(CO)3]2 (M = Mo, W), [CpRu(CO)2]2, and Co2(CO)8. 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.