The silyl ethers 3-But-2-(OSiMe3)C6H3CHNR (2a–e) have been prepared by deprotonation of the known iminophenols (1a–e) and treatment with SiClMe3
(a, R = C6H5; b, R = 2,6-Pri2C6H3; c, R = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2; d, R = 2-C6H5C6H4; e, R = C6F5). 2a–c react with TiCl4 in hydrocarbon solvents to give the binuclear complexes [Ti{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CHN(R)}Cl(µ-Cl3)TiCl3]
(3a–c). The pentafluorophenyl species 2e reacts with TiCl4 to give the known complex Ti{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CHN(R)}2Cl2. The mononuclear five-coordinate complex, Ti{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CHN(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)}Cl3
(4c), was isolated after repeated recrystallisation of 3c. Performing the dehalosilylation reaction in the presence of tetrahydrofuran yields the octahedral, mononuclear complexes Ti{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CHN(R)}Cl3(THF)
(5a–e). The reaction with ZrCl4(THF)2 proceeds similarly to give complexes Zr{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CHN(R)}Cl3(THF)
(6b–e). The crystal structures of 3b, 4c, 5a, 5c, 5e, 6b, 6d, 6e and the salicylaldehyde titanium complex Ti{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CHO}Cl3(THF)
(7) have been determined. Activation of complexes 5a–e and 6b–e with MAO in an ethene saturated toluene solution gives polyethylene with at best high activity depending on the imine substituent.