Synthesis and structure of titanium and zirconium disilane-1,2-diolates

The synthesis and structure of (E)-[Me(Me3Si)3SiSiO]2M (2), where M is titanium and zirconium, are reported. Both compounds react with TiCl4 and ZrCl4, respectively, to yield the complexes (E)-[Me(Me3Si)3SiSiO]2MCl2 (3). Upon treatment with 3 equiv. of TiCl4, the titanium compound 2 readily undergoes a ring opening reaction to produce the dinuclear complex a (E)-[Me(Me3Si)3SiSiO]2Ti2Cl6 (4).