Electrochemistry and complexation of Josiphos ligands

The oxidative electrochemistry of 11 chiral bis-phosphinoferrocene ligands, all within the Josiphos class of ligands, was examined in methylene chloride. The oxidation of these ligands displays multiple waves of varying chemical reversibility. Palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes with the general formula [MCl2(P–P)] (M = Pd or Pt; P–P = Josiphos) were prepared, characterized by NMR and cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemistry simplifies greatly upon coordination of the Josiphos ligands. The X-ray structures of a palladium(II) and platinum(II) complex of the same Josiphos ligand are reported.