A serendipitous self-assembly synthesis of CNN-Pt pincer complexes

In this work, we describe a serendipitous self-assembly synthesis of non-symmetrical CNN-platinacycle pincer complexes, with an early formation and detection of hydride species. The synthesis involves a formal C-H bond activation, with an earlier C-N bond formation via C-Br bond excision, instead of the expected rollover cyclometalated complex. According to our experimental results, the nature of the Pt(II)-starting material, having cyclooctene (COE), tetrahydrothiophene (THT) or Cl as co-ligands, does not affect the reaction pathway, and the best yields are achieved using stochiometric amounts of K2PtCl4, and the appropriate Schiff base ligand and aniline, at 70 degrees C for three days. Structures of platinacycle complexes have been supported by UV/Vis, IR, NMR and ESI-MS experiments, although specific ions formed in the ionization source were affected by the solvent used for compound solubilization/dilution.

Automated summary

This work describes a serendipitous self-assembly synthesis of non-symmetrical CNN-platinacycle pincer complexes, with an early formation and detection of hydride species. The synthesis involves a formal C-H bond activation and an earlier C-N bond formation, achieved via C-Br bond excision. Experimental results show that the nature of the Pt(II)-starting material does not significantly affect the reaction pathway, and the best yields are achieved using stoichiometric amounts of K2PtCl4, appropriate Schiff base ligand and aniline at 70 degrees C for three days.