CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF [V(ETA-6-1,3,5-ME3C6H3)2]ALCL4, THE PRIMARY PRODUCT OF THE REDUCTION OF VCL3 BY AL/ALCL3/1,3,5-ME3C6H3, AND ITS FURTHER REDUCTION TO V(ETA-6-1,3,5-ME3C6H3)2

The VCl3/Al/AlCl3/mes (mes = 1,3,5-Me3C6H3) system gives, after treatment with THF, the bismesitylenevanadium(I) tetrachloroaluminate, [V(eta-6-1,3,5-Me3C6H3)2]AlCl4, [Vmes2]AlCl4, the structure of which has been determined by an X-ray diffraction study. The crystal consists of the discrete AlCl4- and [Vmes2]+ ions, the former tetrahedral and the latter having eclipsed arene ligands. The iodide [Vmes2]I is reduced by biscyclopentadienylcobalt(II), CoCp2, in THF in excellent yields.