Synthesis of functionalized titanium-carboxylate molecular clusters and their catalytic activity

Various organic functionalities were successfully introduced into titanium-carboxylate molecular clusters, and functional group tolerances of cluster, along with their catalytic activities have been investigated. Amino groups were installed in the para-position relative to the carboxylate, and the secondary functionality was placed at the ortho-position. The molecular structure of the obtained titanium clusters was confirmed by single X-ray crystallography. Overall, functionalized titanium clusters have shown good activities for catalyzing both carbon dioxide cycloadditions and photocatalytic degradation. This study is a good and practical method for the preparation of functionalized titanium materials which can act as catalysts.