High-valent transition metal arene complexes: Investigation of the mesitylene complex of TiCl3+

The solution and solid-state structure of [(mesitylene)TiCl3][AlCl4], a rare example of a high-valent transition metal arene complex, was investigated experimentally and through theoretical calculations. One important aspect is the fluxional behavior of the arene complex. It is suggested that a ring slippage occurs from the symmetrical coordination of all 6 carbon atoms of the arene.