Abstract
Alkylation of Ti(CH3)(2)Cl(2)1 by MeLi gives the homoleptic Ti(CH3)(4)2 for the first time in the absence of any coordinating solvent. The reaction of 2 with silica pretreated at 700 degrees C (SiO2-700) gives two inequivalent silica-supported Ti-methyl species 3. Complex 3 was characterized by IR, microanalysis (ICP-OES, CHNS, and gas quantification), and advanced solid-state NMR spectroscopy (H-1, C-13, DQ, TQ, and HETCOR). The catalytic activity of the pre-catalyst 3 is investigated in low-temperature hydrogenolysis of propane and n-butane with TONs of 419 and 578, respectively.