From Coordination to Noncoordination: Syntheses and Substitution Lability Studies of Titanium Triflato Complexes

A new concept for obtaining cationic complexes with triflate counteranions from coordinating triflato ligands was developed. Various routes are leading to titanium(IV) and titanium(III) triflato complexes efficiently. The reactions of pentafulvene titanium complexes with either triflic acid or silver triflate give the corresponding titanium(IV) triflato complexes in excellent yields. Hydrolysis of the titanium(IV) bistriflato complexes leads to cationic aqua complexes via displacement of the triflato ligand, which consequently acts as a noncoordinating anion. A functionalized titanium(IV) monotriflato complex was synthesized by insertion of a nitrile into the Ti-C bond and the triflato ligand was displaced by an NHC. While the titanium(IV) complexes are mostly inert toward substrates, the donor-free titanium(III) triflato complex is a strong Lewis acid and forms various adducts with monodentate Lewis bases. The titanium(III) complex was oxidized by reaction with TEMPO, resulting in a diamagnetic titanium(IV) complex. The reaction with bidentate ligands results in cationic titanium(III) complexes due to displacement of the triflato ligand by the bidentate ligands. Treatment with acetone leads to an aldol reaction of two acetone molecules and the formation of a cationic diacetone alcohol complex.