Preparation of titanium pentamethylcyclopentadienyl trialkyls and crystal structure of tribenzylpentamethylcyclopentadienyltitanium, showing some evidence of a CH2? Ti interaction

Titanium pentamethylcyclopentadienyl trialkyls (η5-C5Me5)TiR3(R = Me, CH2SiMe3, C6F5, and CH2Ph) are easily obtained by conventional alkylation of the trichloro analogue; the structure of the tribenzyl derivative, determined by X-ray methods, shows some evidence of a CH2⋯ Ti interaction.