Photoreactivity of Titanocene Pentasulfide

The electronic spectrum o f Cp2TiSs shows a long-wavelength absorption at Amax = 492 nm which is assigned to the lowest-energy S52~ ^ T i IV ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LM CT) transition. The photolysis o f the complex in CH2CI2 leads to the formation o f Cp2TiCl2 and elemental sulfur. It is suggested that LM CT excitation initiates a reductive elimination with the extrusion o f S5 while the reduced titanocene is reoxidized by the solvent.