Selective C–C coupling at a Pt(iv) centre: 100% preference for sp2–sp3 over sp3–sp3

Abstract

The oxidative addition of three different organic halides RX to the non-symmetric platinum(II) mer coordinated dicyclometallated C^N^C complex 1 yielded short-lived six-coordinate platinum(IV) complexes 2(R) (R = Me, allyl, Bn), with the incoming groups trans across the platinum centre. A spontaneous reductive coupling reaction then occurred with, in each case, a completely chemoselective sp²–sp³ coupling, and exclusively gave R-3, with the newly introduced R group bonded to the previously cyclometallated aryl ring. Following a recyclometallation reaction, the oxidative addition/reductive elimination cycle was repeated and gave the same selectivity. A one-pot route to doubly alkylating the aryl ring was developed. The observed selectivity might have been predicted on the normal basis of a steric barrier associated with non-flat sp³ hybridised groups, but we suggest that it arises from the stereochemistry at the metal, and the orientation of the ligands.