[PtOTf(triphos)]OTf and [PtMe2(triphos-P,P′)] as versatile synthons of platinum(II)-triphos species

The new complex [PtOTf(triphos)]OTf (triphos=bis(2-diphenylphosphinoethyl)phenyl-phosphine, OTf=CF3SO3) (1) can be most efficiently prepared by adding triflic acid to the known complex [PtMe2(triphos-P,P′)] (5) where triphos acts as a bidentate ligand. The fluxional behaviours of 1 and 5 in solution and their reactivity have been investigated by NMR: [PtOTf(triphos)]OTf is a very electrophilic complex and its reactivity is dominated by the tendency of the labile ligand OTf to be replaced by a variety of nucleophiles, while the chemistry of [PtMe2(triphos-P,P′)] is controlled by the proclivity of the third phosphorus to coordinate to platinum, as soon as a vacancy is created via Pt–Me protonolysis.