Alkylative reduction of titanium(IV) isopropoxide with EtMgBr: Convenient method for the generation of subvalent titanium alkoxide reagents and their reactivity in pinacol coupling reactions

摘要

The composition of the gaseous products from the reaction of Ti(IV) isopropoxide with ethylmagnesium bromide in diethyl ether evidences the formation of subvalent titanium isopropoxide species in various oxidation states depending on relative amounts of the reactants. Reaction of titanium(IV) isopropoxide with one equivalent of the Grignard reagent gives presumably titanium(III) isopropoxide. The latter is generated as a result of isoproportionation of starting Ti(IV) species and titanium(II) isopropoxide-ethene complex which is formed as a result of ethane extrusion from diethyltitanium(IV) isopropoxide. Titanium(III) isopropoxide prepared by this way transforms the aldehydes and the aromatic ketones into the corresponding pinacols in good yields. [References: 17]