alpha , beta -SUBSTITUTED BIS(CYCLOPENTADIENYL)TITANACYCLOBUTANES AND THEIR ROLE IN PRODUCTIVE METATHESIS.

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0304-5102(85)87013-9

The synthesis and reactions of the alpha , beta -disubstituted titanacyclobutanes, are reported. The cis isomer is the less stable and at room temperature isomerizes to the trans isomer and unidentified products. The cis- alpha , beta -dimethylmetallacycle produces a variety of C//1 to C//5 hydrocarbons upon thermal decomposition. Evidence for competitive cleavage of the cis- alpha , beta -dimethylmetallacycle to give a titanocene ethylidene or a titanocene methylene is presented. The mechanism of these olefin metathesis reactions is discussed in terms of the chemistry of the model intermediates, the cis- and trans- alpha , beta -dimethyltitanacycles.