Introduction <P>Tebbe’s reagent (
1 ) is an organometallic compound and has found diverse applications in organic synthesis
such as methylenation of carbonyl compounds,
[
1 ]
synthesis of
C -glycosides,
[
2 ]
1,6-disaccharides
[
3 ]
and in the synthesis of intermediates, for example vinyl silanes
[
4 ]
and allenylketenes.
[
5 ]
It is readily prepared by reacting titanocene dichloride and trimethylaluminum in
toluene at r.t. (Scheme 1).
[
1 ]
When Tebbe’s reagent is treated with a Lewis base, for example pyridine or THF, a
highly reactive titanocene methylidene is generated. It methylenates a range of carboxylic
and carbonic acid derivatives, presumably via oxatitanacyclobutane to furnish alkenes
in a short period of time at room temperature and below.
[
6 ]
</P>
Scheme 1
