Synthesis and Characterization of Mononuclear Titanium Complexes Containing a Bis(phenoxy) Ligand Derived from 2,2′‐Methylene‐bis(6‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenol)

A series of new titanium complexes of the general type Ti(mbmp)X2 (X = Br, I; OMe, OiPr, OtBu), containing a bidentate bis(phenoxy) ligand derived from 2,2′‐methylenebis(6‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenol) (mbmpH2), was prepared. The 1H‐chemical shifts for the protons of the methylene link were found to vary considerably as a function of the ligand X. Reaction of Ti(OiPr)4 with two equivalents of mbmpH2 gave the C2‐symmetric spiro‐titanate complex Ti(mbmp)2. The crystalline labile solvent adducts of the dichloro complex Ti(mbmp)Cl2 with THF and DME were isolated and characterized. A single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis revealed the THF adduct to be a mono(THF) adduct with a trigonal‐bipyramidal configuration, the bidentate mbmp ligand spanning an apical and equatorial site and the THF ligand occupying the remaining apical position.