Synthesis of titanium(iv) 3,6-di-tert-butylcatecholate complexes

Two synthetic approaches were used for the synthesis of 3,6-di-tert-butylcatecholate derivatives of titanium(iv). These approaches are based on the exchange reaction between sodium catecholate and titanium(iv) chloride and the reaction of 3,6-di-tert-butylpyrocatechol with titanium tetrabutoxide. Depending on the reaction conditions, the former method allows the synthesis of the titanium monocatecholate complex 3,6-CatTiCl2(THF)2 (3,6-Cat is doubly deprotonated 3,6-di-tert-butylpyrocatechol) or bimetallic sodium titanium catecholate derivatives. Using the latter method, it is possible to synthesize six-coordinate titanium(iv) bis-cate-cholate complexes in high yields after the introduction of neutral bidentate donor ligands (TMEDA, DME, 2,2′-bipyridyl) to the reaction mixture.