Selective cleavage of metal–carbon and metal–olefin bonds in the novel dicyclopentadiene complex [Pt(C10H12OMe)(PPh3)(Ph)]

Abstract

The preparation of novel platinum(II) complexes having two σ-metal–carbon bonds and one π-metal–olefin bond, of formula [Pt(C₁₀H₁₂·OMe)(L)(Ph)](L = pyridine or triphenylphosphine and C₁₀H₁₂= dicyclopentadienyl) is reported. These complexes have been made to react with both electrophilic (hydrogen chloride and HgCl₂) and nucleophilic agents (methoxide ion and CN^–) with the aim of effecting a selective cleavage of σ-platinum–carbon and π-platinum–olefin bonds. The reactions involving electrophilic attack are discussed in terms of oxidative addition of the electrophile to the central metal atom.