Activation of C–H bond by cis-[Pt(NO3)2(PPh3)2], cyclometallation of tetramethylthiourea

Reaction of cis-[Pt(NO3)2(PPh3)2] with tetramethylthiourea (tmtu) affords [Pt(PPh3)2(tmtu*)]NO3, in which tmtu* is tetramethylthiourea deprotonated at one methyl group. An X-ray investigation has shown that tmtu* is cyclometallated with Pt–S and Pt–CH2 bonds. The likely role of dissociation of the labile nitrato ligands, to give cationic intermediates, is outlined.