The oxidation state would go down right? When the ethene molecule coordinates with the alkylated TiCl3 does it occupy an empty d orbital on the titanium atom? I suppose that would create an unstable intermediate and open the door for the olefin insertion step to create another vacant site on the...
Starting out with TiCl4 and triethylaluminum, I understand how the triethylaluminum alkylates the TiCl4 and creates a polymeric TiCl3, but then an ethene molecule coordinates with a vacant site on the alkylated TiCl3? I thought titanium's highest oxidation state was +4?