ALKYL-SILYL COMPLEXES FREE OF ANIONIC PI-LIGAND - SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF (ME(3)ECH(2))(3)MSI(SIME(3))(3)

We report here the synthesis and characterization of early-transition- metal complexes (Me(3)ECH(2))(3)MSi(SiMe(3))(3) (E = C, Si; M = Zr, Ti ). These alkyl-silyl complexes, which are free of anionic pi ligands s uch as cyclopentadienyl, were synthesized by the metathetic reactions of chlorotrialkyl complexes (Me(3)ECH(2))(3)MCl with silyllithium reag ent LiSi(SiMe(3))(3)(THF)(3). The structures of (Me(3)ECH(2))(3)TiSi(S iMe(3))(3) CE = C (1), Si (2)] determined by X-ray diffraction show th at the three alkyl groups on the metal centers are staggered with resp ect to the trimethylsilyl groups on the central silicon atoms.