Activation of Molecular Hydrogen by Bis(5,1-pentafulvene)-titanium Complexes - Efficient Formation of Titanium(III)hydrides

The synthesis and crystal structures of two dinuclear titanocene hydride complexes are reported. Both complexes, namely bis((5)-(di-para-tolylmethyl)cyclopentadienyl)titanium hydride dimer, [((5)-C20H19)(2)Ti(-H)](2) (2a), and bis((5)-2-adamantylcyclopentadienyl)-titanium hydride dimer, [((5)-C15H19)(2)Ti(-H)](2) (2b), are formed via activation of molecular hydrogen by the corresponding bis((5),(1)-pentafulvene)titanium complexes 1a and 1b at ambient temperatures and pressures in high yields. The hydride complexes 2a and 2b exhibit planar [Ti2H2] cores and, as a result of the heterolytic cleavage of molecular hydrogen, substituted Cp Ligands were formed during the reaction.