Optically active titanium complexes containing a tridentate linked amido-cyclopentadienyl ligand

Optically active titanium complexes Ti{eta(5):eta(1)-C5R4SiMe2NC6H10 (OCH2P h)-2}Cl-2 (R = H, Me), containing a cyclopentadienyl ligand linked to the c hiral trans-2-benzyloxycyclohexylamido group, were synthesized and characte rized in both enantiomerically pure forms. A single crystal X-ray structure analysis of (-)-(R,R)-Ti{eta(5):eta(1)-C5H4SiMe2NC6H10 (OCH2Ph)-2} Cl-2 sh ows a structure in which the benzyloxy group in the amido sidechain is not interacting with the titanium center. Upon activation with n-butyllithium, these complexes hydrogenate acetophenone N-benzylimine with low enantiosele ctivity. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.