Reactivity of Ti(bipy)3 and preparation of the Li(THF)4[Al(bipy)2] complex with the dinegative bipy ligand

The reaction of Ti(bipy)(3) with BF3 resulted in the formation of [Ti(bipy)(3)]BF4 (1), whereas the interaction of Ti(bipy)(3) with the LiAlH4 yielded the unforeseen aluminum complex Li(THF)(4)[Al(bipy)(2)] (2). The complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by NMR, mass spectra and elemental analysis. Complex 2 was investigated by X-ray structural analysis and consists of cationic [Li(THF)(4)](+) and anionic [Al(bipy)(2)](-) units containing the coordinated dinegatively charged [bipy] ligand. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.