Alkyl−Silyl Complexes Free of Anionic π Ligands. Synthesis and Characterization of (Me₃ECH₂)₃MSi(SiMe₃)₃

Abstract

We report here the synthesis and characterization of early-transition-metal complexes (Me3ECH2)3MSi(SiMe3)3 (E = C, Si; M = Zr, Ti). These alkyl−silyl complexes, which are free of anionic π ligands such as cyclopentadienyl, were synthesized by the metathetic reactions of chlorotrialkyl complexes (Me3ECH2)3MCl with silyllithium reagent LiSi(SiMe3)3(THF)3. The structures of (Me3ECH2)3TiSi(SiMe3)3 [E = C (1), Si (2)] determined by X-ray diffraction show that the three alkyl groups on the metal centers are staggered with respect to the trimethylsilyl groups on the central silicon atoms.