Oxidative Addition of a Hypervalent Iodine Compound to Cycloplatinated(II) Complexes for the C-O Bond Construction: Effect of Cyclometalated Ligands

The complex [PtMe(Obpy)(OAc)₂(H₂O)], 2a, Obpy = 2,2'-bipyridine N-oxide, is prepared through the reaction of [PtMe(Obpy)(SMe₂)], 1a, by 1 equiv of PhI(OAc)₂ via an oxidative addition (OA) reaction. Pt(IV) complex 2a attends the process of C-O bond reductive elimination (RE) reaction to form methyl acetate and corresponding Pt(II) complex [Pt(Obpy)(OAc)(H₂O)], 3a. The kinetic of OA and RE reactions are investigated by means of different spectroscopies. The obtained results show that the reaction rates of OA step of 1a are faster than its analogous complex [PtMe(ppy)(SMe₂)], 1b, ppy = 2-phenylpyridine. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations signify that the OA reaction initiated by a nucleophilic attack of the platinum(II) central atom of 1b on the iodine(III) atom while it had commenced by a nucleophilic substitution reaction of coordinated SMe₂ in 1a with a carbonyl oxygen atom of PhI(OAc)₂. Our calculation revealed that the key step for 1a is an acetate transfer from the I(III) to Pt(II) through a formation of square pyramidal iodonium complex. This can be attributed to the more electron-withdrawing character of Obpy ligand than to ppy which reduces the nucleophilicity of Pt atom in 1a. Furthermore, 2a with electron-withdrawing Obpy ligand prone to C-O bond formation faster than complex [PtMe(ppy)(OAc)₂(H₂O)], 2b, with an electron-rich ppy ligand which conforms to the anticipation that REs occur faster on electron-poor metal centers.

Photophysical Properties and Kinetic Studies of 2-Vinylpyridine-Based Cycloplatinated(II) Complexes Containing Various Phosphine Ligands

A series of cycloplatinated(II) complexes with general formula of [PtMe(Vpy)(PR₃)], Vpy = 2-vinylpyridine and PR₃ = PPh₃ (1a); PPh₂Me (1b); PPhMe₂ (1c), were synthesized and characterized by means of spectroscopic methods. These cycloplatinated(II) complexes were luminescent at room temperature in the yellow–orange region’s structured bands. The PPhMe₂ derivative was the strongest emissive among the complexes, and the complex with PPh₃ was the weakest one. Similar to many luminescent cycloplatinated(II) complexes, the emission was mainly localized on the Vpy cyclometalated ligand as the main chromophoric moiety. The present cycloplatinated(II) complexes were oxidatively reacted with MeI to yield the corresponding cycloplatinated(IV) complexes. The kinetic studies of the reaction point out to an S_N2 mechanism. The complex with PPhMe₂ ligand exhibited the fastest oxidative addition reaction due to the most electron-rich Pt(II) center in its structure, whereas the PPh₃ derivative showed the slowest one. Interestingly, for the PPhMe₂ analog, the trans isomer was stable and could be isolated as both kinetic and thermodynamic product, while the other two underwent trans to cis isomerization.

Rollover Cyclometalation as a Valuable Tool for Regioselective C-H Bond Activation and Functionalization

Rollover cyclometalation constitutes a particular case of cyclometallation reaction. This reaction occurs when a chelated heterocyclic ligand loses its bidentate coordination mode and undergoes an internal rotation, after which a remote C-H bond is regioselectively activated, affording an uncommon cyclometalated complex, called "rollover cyclometalated complex". The key of the process is the internal rotation of the ligand, which occurs before the C-H bond activation and releases from coordination a donor atom. The new "rollover" ligand has peculiar properties, being a ligand with multiple personalities, no more a spectator in the reactivity of the complex. The main reason of this peculiarity is the presence of an uncoordinated donor atom (the one initially involved in the chelation), able to promote a series of reactions not available for classic cyclometalated complexes. The rollover reaction is highly regioselective, because the activated C-H bond is usually in a symmetric position with respect to the donor atom which detaches from the metal stating the rollover process. Due to this novel behavior, a series of potential applications have appeared in the literature, in fields such as catalysis, organic synthesis, and advanced materials.