Can. J. Chem. 69, 357 (1991). Reaction of simple amides with Tic], affords mixed amido-chloride species Ti(NR2),-,Cl,. The trisamide-chloride species Ti(NR&CI can be prepared directly employing three equivalents of amide or by reaction Ti(NR2), with TiCI4. The compound Ti(NMe&Cl, 1, crystallizes in the trigonal space groupR%, with a = 11.525(5), c = 14.939(3) A, Z = 6, and V = 1718(1) A3. The compound Ti(NEt2)3C1, 2, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2'/c, with a = 8.385(2) A, b = 15.958(2) A, c = 14.230(4) A, P = 107.79(1)",Z = 4, and V = 1813(1) A3. The geometryof theTicoordinationsphereinthese complexes is best described as pseudo-tetrahedral. The structural data are consistent with Ti-N multiplc bonding. Preliminary results of EHMO calculations are consistent with d,-p,Ti-N bonding. Attempts to replace the halides with phosphides (LiPR2, R = Me, El, Ph) led not to the Ti(IV) phosphido species, but rather to redox chemistry yielding Ti(II1) amides and P2R4. The barrier to rotation about the Ti-N bonds has been considered. Variable temperature 'H NMR studies reveal that the barrier is small. Extended Huckel total energy minimization calculations have been performed. In addition, MMX calculations of the barrier to Ti-N rotation are reported. The results of these calculations imply that the rotational barrier is dominated by steric effects.Key words: titanium amides, structures, Ti-N bonding. Lorsqu'on a voulu remplacer les halogCnures par des phosphures (LiPR2, R = Me, Et, Ph) on n'a pas obtenu les espkces Ti(IV)phosphido, mais plut6t une chimie rCdox fournissant des amides du Ti(II1) et du P2R4. On a considCrC la barrikre a la rotation autour des liaisons Ti-N. Des Ctudes de rmn du 'H a tempirature variable rCvClent que la barrikre est faible. On a effectuC des calculs de minimisation de I'Cnergie totale par le mCthode du Huckel Ctendu. De plus, on a r6alisC des calculs MMX de la baniere de rotation Ti-N. Les rCsultats de ces calculs impliquent que la barrikre a la rotation est dominCe par des effets stCriques.Mots elks : amides du Ti, structure, liaison Ti-N.[Traduit par la rCdaction] Introduction method at least three times prior to use. 'H and I3c {'H) NMR experiOur interest in Lewis acidic, early metal species stems from ments were performed using a Bruker AC-300 MHz spectrometer our studies of early/late heterobimetallic (ELHB) complexes employing trace amounts of protio solvent as the internal reference.(1-15). Investigation of such compounds are motivated by the Chemical shifts are reported relative to Si(CH3),. 3 '~ {IH)NMR experiments were performed using a Bruker AC-200 MHz spectrometer. The potential for Lewis acid activation of small molecule substrates spectral data were referenced to external 85% H3P04 In D20, Combuslike CO or C02. In initiating efforts to synthesize more reactive tion analyses were performed by Galbraith Laboratories Inc., Knox-ELHB complexes, we are exploring the incorporation of early ville, TN. Crystalline samples were shipped in ampoules sealed under metal fragmen...