ABSTRACT
Reaction of the geminal PAl ligand [Mes2PC(âCHPh)AltBu2] (1) with [Pt(PPh3)2(ethylene)] affords the T-shape Pt complex [(1)Pt(PPh3)] (2). X-ray diffraction analysis and DFT calculations reveal the presence of a significant PtâAl interaction in 2, despite the strain associated with the four-membered cyclic structure. The Pt···Al distance is short [2.561(1) Å], the Al center is in a pyramidal environment [Σ(C-Al-C) = 346.6°], and the PCAl framework is strongly bent (98.3°). Release of the ring strain and formation of XâAl interactions (X = O, S, H) impart rich reactivity. Complex 2 reacts with CO2 to give the T-shape adduct 3 stabilized by an OâAl interaction, which is a rare example of a CO2 adduct of a group 10 metal and actually the first with η(1)-CO2 coordination. Reaction of 2 with CS2 affords the crystalline complex 4, in which the PPtP framework is bent, the CS2 molecule is η(2)-coordinated to Pt, and one S atom interacts with Al. The Pt complex 2 also smoothly reacts with H2 and benzamide PhCONH2 via oxidative addition of H-H and H-N bonds, respectively. The ensuing complexes 5 and 7 are stabilized by Pt-HâAl and Pt-NH-C(Ph) = OâAl bridging interactions, resulting in 5- and 7-membered metallacycles, respectively. DFT calculations have been performed in parallel with the experimental work. In particular, the mechanism of reaction of 2 with H2 has been thoroughly analyzed, and the role of the Lewis acid moiety has been delineated. These results generalize the concept of constrained geometry TMâLA interactions and demonstrate the ability of Al-based ambiphilic ligands to participate in TM/LA cooperative reactivity. They extend the scope of small molecule substrates prone to such cooperative activation and contribute to improve our knowledge of the underlying factors.