Regiochemical control of a Pt-promoted alkylation of the phenyl ring

Abstract

The reactivity of cationic Pt^II–phenyl complexes of the type [PtPh(CH₂CHR)(phen)]⁺ (R = H or Me) has been investigated. In all cases, insertion of the alkene into the Pt–Ph bond has been observed. The fate of the resulting Pt–CH₂CHRPh (R = H or Me) derivative depends on the experimental conditions. In the presence of donor ligands (e.g. excess olefin, pyridine or triphenylphosphine) the product is stable, while in the absence of them a rapid rearrangement to form Pt–C₆H₄(CHRMe)-2 occurs.