Pendulum-like hemilability in a Ti-based frustrated Lewis Trio.

We describe the first experimental example of a theoretically predicted Frustrated Lewis Trio (FLT). A tetradentate PNNP ligand is used to stabilise a highly electrophilic [TiCl] fragment in a way that results in two equally long and frustrated Ti-P bonds. A combined experimental and computational approach revealed a distinct role of each Lewis basic phosphine in the heterolytic activation of chemical bonds.