Probing the Lewis basicity of the metalloligand [Pt2(μ-Se)2(PPh3)4] on tin substrates by electrospray mass spectrometry

Abstract

Electrospray Mass Spectrometry (ESMS) has been used as a tool to probe the reactivity of [Pt2(μ-Se)2(PPh3)4] with tin(IV) substrates, which leads to the formation of charged coordination complexes via loss of halides. The metal substrates used in the displacement reactions are SnRxCL4-x (x = 1, R = Me, Bu or Ph; x = 2, R = Me, Bu, Et or Ph; x = 3, R = Me, Ph) and Sn (CH2Ph)2Br2. Most of these reactions gave both mono- and di-cations through displacement of one and two halides respectively by [Pt2(μ-Se)2(PPh3)4]. ESMS was also used to monitor the progress of reactions. The products, upon isolation, were also characterized by NMR and X-ray single crystal crystallographic analysis. The crystal structures of the aggregates [Pt2(μ3-Se)2(PPh3) 4(SnBuCl2)][PF6], [Pt2(μ3-Se)2(PPh3) 4(SnBu2Cl)][PF6] and [Pt2(μ3-Se)2(PPh3) 4(SnMe2Cl)][PF6] are reported and discussed. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2001.