PdCl[PPh 2CH 2CH 2CHCH 2CH 2PPh 2] as a precursor to homo-and hetero-metallic species directed by ESMS (electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry)

Abstract

The cyclometallated Pd compound PdCl[PPh 2CH 2CH 2CHCH 2CH 2PPh 2] 1, obtained from PdCl 2Ph 2P(CH 2) 5PPh 2) in refluxing DMF (N,N-dimethylformamide), was characterized by NMR and X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis. The cyclometallation of MCl 2(Ph 2P(CH 2) 5PPh 2) (M = Pd, Pt) to give 1 and its Pt(II) analogue was probed using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESMS). The reactivity of 1 towards neutral ligands such as phosphines and pyridines as well as basic metal complexes such as pyridine-thiolate compounds of Au(I), Hg(II) and Pt(II) in solution was also investigated. The results showed that the chloride trans to the Pd-C bond is susceptible to ligand replacement. A number of entry metalloligands was examined in an attempt to establish a route to cyclometallated aggregates and clusters.