Scientists Structurally Analyze Highly Reactive Anionic Pt(0) Complexes for the First Time

Stabilization by the electron-accepting boron compounds.

Anionic M⁰ complexes (M = group 10 metals) have attracted curiosity on account of their potential as lively catalysts for chemical reactions. Despite this, the willpower of their molecular constructions has been a rarity, primarily on account of their extraordinarily excessive reactivity. This holds significantly true for Pt⁰ complexes, that are anticipated to be extremely reactive. To date, their constructions stay undetermined and the synthesis of those complexes has been practically non-existent.

Associate Professor Hajime Kameo, and Professor Hiroyuki Matsuzaka from the Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Science and CNRS Senior Researcher Didier Bourissou (Paul Sabatier University – Toulouse III) elucidated the molecular constructions of anionic Pt⁰ complexes for the primary time. The key to success is the stabilization of anionic Pt⁰ complexes (that are normally unstable owing to their electron-donating nature) by the electron-accepting properties of boron compounds.

“Although platinum complexes that exhibit a variety of catalytic activities have been actively studied, anionic Pt⁰ complexes have remained a mystery,” said Professor Kameo. “The outcomes of this analysis not solely allow us to elucidate the properties and features of extremely lively chemical species but also provide new guidelines for their creation. It is expected to lead to the development of innovative catalytic reactions mediated by these chemical species.”

Reference: “Square-Planar Anionic Pt⁰ Complexes” by Dr. Hajime Kameo, Yudai Tanaka, Dr. Yoshihiro Shimoyama, Daisuke Izumi, Prof. Hiroyuki Matsuzaka, Dr. Yumiko Nakajima, Pierre Lavedan, Arnaud Le Gac and Dr. Didier Bourissou, 22 February 2023, Angewandte Chemie International Edition.
DOI: 10.1002/anie.202301509

The study was funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.