C–H and H–H activation at a di-titanium centre

Abstract

The reaction of the bis(pentalene)dititanium complex Ti₂(μ:η⁵,η⁵-Pn^†)₂ (Pn^† = C₈H₄(1,4-SiⁱPr₃)₂) with the N-heterocyclic carbene 1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazol-2-ylidene results in intramolecular C–H activation of one of the ⁱPr methyl groups of a Pn^† ligand and formation of a “tucked-in” bridging hydride complex. The “tuck-in” process is reversed by the addition of hydrogen, which yields a dihydride featuring terminal and bridging hydrides.