Biscyclopentadienyl Allyl Complexes of Titanium and Vanadium

Abstract

No allyl complexes of titanium or vanadium have yet been reported. We have prepared allyl-bis(cyclopentadienyl)-titanium [I] by various methods, of which the following is the most convenient one, Red bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride [II] in tetrahydrofuran solution was reduced to the green monochloride by means of zinc powder (1). When the reduction was completed, one equivalent of allylmagnesium chloride was added to the solution, the color of which changed to violet. The reaction mixture was evaporated in vacuo, and the residue extracted with pentane. When the violet pentane solution was concentrated to saturation and cooled to -80°, purple crystals of [I] precipitated. After two recrystallizations from pentane pure [I] was obtained in 35% yield. Analysis: found 21,8% Ti; 70,89% C; 7,01% H; calc, for (C₅H₅)₂Ti(C₃H₅): 21,86% Ti; 71,24% C; 6,89% H. Melting point; 118°C (decomp.). Reaction of [I] with octanol gave propene in 80% of the theoretical yield.