Preparation of hydroxo- and cyano-complexes of platinum(II) by the use of (crown ether)potassium hydroxide and cyanide

Abstract

Phase-transfer catalysis using crown ethers has been used to obtain [Pt₂Cl₂(OH)₂L₂](L = PEt₃, PMe₂Ph, and PEt₂Ph), [Pt₂(OH)₂(C₆H₄Me-4)₂(PEt₂Ph)₂], and [Pt(OH)Ph(dppe)] from chloro-complexes and aqueous KOH. Crown ethers catalyse the reaction between solid KCN and platinum(II) complexes and salts containing the anions [PtR₂(CN)₂]^2–(R = benzofuran-2-yl, 2-thienyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, and Me), [PtMe₂(CN)(PEt₃)]^–, and [PtMe(CN)₂(PEt₃)]^– have been obtained.