Molecular Models of Titania-Silica Systems and a Late Transition Metal Complex Grafted Thereon

Rhodium supported on titania-silica is modeled by 1, which was obtained from [{Cp*TiMe(μ-O2 SiPh2 )}2 ] (2) and [{Rh(OH)(cod)}2 ]. Complex 2 and its triply bridged derivative [Cp*Ti(μ-O2 SiPh2 )3 TiCp*] (3) can be envisaged as molecular models of titania-silica systems. Compounds 1-3 could potentially provide insights into the nature of the catalytically active sites in these systems; cod=1,5-cycloctadiene, Cp*=η5 -C5 Me5 .