An unprecedented high nuclearity catecholato-based Ti(IV)-architecture bearing labile pyridine ligands

We describe the synthesis and characterisation of a robust S4-symmetry titanium-based architecture bearing catecholato and pyridine ligands. This neutral complex formulated as [Ti10O12(cat)8(py)8] displays a tetrahedral inorganic core decorated by catecholato ligands with unusual coordination modes. In solution, the pyridine ligands are labile as shown in DOSY studies at variable temperature. The light absorption property in the visible domain (λmax = 411 nm, ε = 10 800) was also characterised for the complex.