A study of the generality of the reaction of diazomethane with halogenoplatinum(II) complexes in the preparation of (halogenomethyl)platinum(II) complexes

Abstract

Treatment of a range of platinum(II) halide (mainly chloride) complexes with diazomethane has been examined. Formation of both mono- and bis-halogenomethyl products has been observed. With one exception, methylene insertion appears to occur only when the metal–halogen bond is trans to a group of high trans influence (olefin, phosphine, isocyanide, alkyl, or hydride). With the trans-chlorohydrido derivatives investigated, the initially formed trans-(chloromethyl)hydrido products rearranged into the trans-(chloro)methyl species. Mechanisms of the methylene insertion and rearrangement processes are discussed.