Synthesis and characterisation of [Pt₂(μ-S)(μ-I)(PPh₃)₄]⁺ – A cationic iodo analogue of the metalloligand [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄]

Abstract

Reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with a number of transition metal–iodo complexes leads to the formation of the cationic iodo analogue [Pt₂(μ-S)(μ-I)(PPh₃)₄]⁺, identified using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI MS). Synthetic routes to this complex were developed, using the reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with either [PtI₂(PPh₃)₂] or elemental iodine. The complex was characterised by NMR spectroscopy, ESI MS and an X-ray structure determination, which reveals the presence of a planar, disordered {Pt₂SI}⁺ core. Monitoring the iodine reaction by ESI MS allows the identification of various iodine species, including the short-lived intermediate [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄I]⁺, which allows a mechanism for the reaction to be proposed.