Displacement of 2,2′-bipyridyl as an intermediate step in the reaction of 2,2′-bipyridyl(diethyl)platinum(II) with methyl acrylate

Abstract

2 2′-Bipyridyl(diethyl)platinum(II) reacts with methyl acrylate to give ethylene and [Pt{CH(Me)(CO₂Me)}₂(bipy)]. A study of the kinetics of the reaction has shown that it is first order in the concentrations of both the platinum complex and methyl acrylate and is strongly retarded in the presence of free bipy. The mechanism is thought to involve an initial displacement of bipy from platinum by methyl acrylate followed by β elimination of ethylene from the ethylplatinum groups, insertion of methyl acrylate into the resulting Pt–H bonds, and reco-ordination of bipy.