The α-ketocarboxylate complex 14 undergoes a photocatalytic transformation to form ketene complex 15 and cumulene derivative 16 through a condensation with formaldehyde. The reaction involves dehydration via H₂O elimination, followed by hydrogenation to yield complex 17. While not detected by MALDI-TOF, it seems that a third condensation step occurs, likely contributing to the partially hydrogenated product. Complex 17, with four carbon atoms on the pendant chain, leads to the PI oxygenated analog (complex 21, Figure ), which is crucial in the third and final catalytic cycle. Titanium in complex 14 is highly electrophilic due to the electron-withdrawing chloride ligands and the carbonyl moieties of the titanaoxetane ring. This allows formaldehyde, with its nucleophilic oxygen, to react readily with the titanium center, forming complex 18 (Figure ). The second catalytic cycle begins with complex 14, which initiates a novel formaldehyde condensation process, driving the formation of long-chain organic molecules through a series of orchestrated steps outlined below: of such intermediate is supported by the detection of hydrogenated complex 17, characterized by a side chain of four carbon atoms, terminating in a reactive aldehyde group.