An anionic η2-naphthalene complex of titanium supported by a tripodal [O3C] ligand and its reactions with dinitrogen, anthracene and THF.

We report the synthesis and characterization of a dianionic titanium naphthalene complex supported by a tripodal triaryloxidemethyl ligand, which is a rare example of an η2-coordinated arene complex of low-valent early transition metals. The η2-naphthalene ligand is readily displaced by N2 and anthracene along with the release of free naphthalene, resulting in the formation of the end-on N2 bridging dititanium complex and the anthracene complex, respectively. The naphthalene complex undergoes C-O bond cleavage of THF to produce a 1-oxa-2-titanacyclohexane.