An improved synthesis of Kagan’s menthyl substituted titanocene and zirconocene dichloride, comparison of their crystal structures, and preliminary catalyst evaluation

An improved synthesis of 1 and 2 is described that allows access to these complexes in multigram quantities necessary for catalytic applications. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 are compared and the conformational preferences of the ligands, that are important for catalytic applications, are discussed. Complex 2 was evaluated as a catalyst for carbomagnesation reactions.