An Extensive Family of Heterometallic Titanium(IV)–Metal(III) Rings with Structure Control through Templates

A family of heterometallic [Cat][TixMO(x+1)(O2CtBu)2x+2] rings is reported where Cat = a secondary or tertiary alkyl ammonium ion, x = 7, 8 or 9 and, M = FeIII, GaIII, CrIII, InIII and AlIII. The structures are regular polygons with eight-, nine- or ten vertices with each edge bridged by an oxide and two pivalates. The size of the ring formed is controlled by the alkylammonium cation present. In each case a homometallic by-product is found [Cat][TixO(x+1)(O2CtBu)2x-1].