Insertion of platinum into an ortho-carboranyl boron–hydrogen bond. The crystal and molecular structure of the diphenyl(ortho-carboranyl)-phosphine complex [PtCl(Ph2PC2B10H10)(Ph2PC2B10H11)]

Abstract

The molecular structure of the title complex has been determined by X-ray methods. The crystals are monoclinic, space group I2/a, with eight molecules in a unit cell of dimensions a= 26.122(3), b= 11.006(2), c= 29.775(3)Å, and β= 106.34(1)°. The structure has been refined by least-squares methods to R= 0.042 for 4 855 diffractometric intensities. The complex contains a [graphic ommitted] metallocycle, obtained by insertion of platinum into a B–H bond of a diphenyl(ortho-carboranyl)phosphine. A distorted square plane around platinum is completed by the phosphorus atom of a second Ph₂PC₂B₁₀H₁₁ ligand and by a chlorine atom. Both ortho-carboranyl cages have approximately icosahedral geometries. Selected bond lengths are: Pt–Cl 2.415(3), Pt–B 2.073(9), Pt–P(chelate) 2.279(3), and Pt–P(non-chelate) 2.305(2)Å.