Double CO2 activation by 14-electron η(8)-permethylpentalene titanium dialkyl complexes.

The novel 14 electron species η(8)-Pn*TiR2 (Pn* = C8Me6; R = Me, CH2Ph) have been synthesised and spectroscopically and structurally characterised. Subsequent reaction with CO2 leads to the activation and double insertion of CO2 into both Ti-alkyl bonds to form the electronically saturated η(8)-Pn*Ti(κ(2)-O2CR)2 (R = Me, CH2Ph) complexes.