The reductive opening of oxetanes by CP2TiCl was investigated by a combined synthetic and computational study. The activation and reaction energies predict a more difficult reaction than the related epoxide opening. Synthetically, the gamma-titanoxy radicals obtained behave like typical free radicals. Their reactions are not controlled by the metal and its ligands. This is highlighted by the dimerization of phenyl substituted oxetane derived radicals. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The reductive opening of oxetanes by CP2TiCl was investigated by a combined synthetic and computational study. The activation and reaction energies predict a more difficult reaction than the related epoxide opening. Synthetically, the gamma-titanoxy radicals obtained behave like typical free radicals. Their reactions are not controlled by the metal and its ligands. This is highlighted by the dimerization of phenyl substituted oxetane derived radicals. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.