Molecular And Supported Ti(iii)-alkyls: Efficient Ethylene Polymerization Driven By The π-character Of Metal–carbon Bonds And Back Donation From A Singly Occupied Molecular Orbital

Ti(iii) alkyl species polymerize ethylene via an original mechanism, which involves back donation to the π*(C₂H₄) and a delocalization of the unpaired electron in the transition state of C₂H₄ insertion into the partially alkylidenic Ti(iii)–C bond.