Ketones as an oxolation source for the synthesis of titanium-oxo-organo clusters

Two titanium-ore clusters, [Ti3O(OPri)(7)(O3C9H15)] 1 and [Ti11O13(OPri)(18 )] 2, have been obtained through the reactions of Ti(OPri)(4) with ketones such as acetone, acetylacetone and diacetone alcohol. Complex 1 is composed of a trinuclear unit that is capped by a tridentate enolate ligand synthes ized in situ. Complex 2 is a more condensed titanium cluster with a spheric al oxo core. The titanium-oxo-organo cores of these clusters are preserved in solution as characterized by O-17, C-13, and H-1 NMR spectroscopy. The p ossible different reactions involved in the formation of these clusters are discussed.