Binuclear hydride platinum(II) complexes: syntheses of [{Pt(P-P)}(2)(mu-CHCH2R)(mu-H)][BF4] (R = C6H5, H) and easy cleavage of a P-C bond in a chelating 1,4-bis (diphenyl)phosphinobutane (P-P)

Reactions of the binuclear platinum(II) trihydrido complex. [Pt-2{(Ph2P)(2)(CH2)(4)}(2)(H)(3)][BF4], with styrene or ethylene, at room temperature and low pressure, give mu-alkylidene, mu-hydrido cationic species [Pt-2{(Ph2P)(2)(CH2)(4)}(2)(mu-CHCH2R)(mu-H)][BF4] (R = C6H5, 1; H, 2) together with an unexpected phosphido-bridged binuclear platinum(II) compound (3), originating from cleavage of a P-C bond in the coordinated diphosphine. Complexes 1-3 are discussed on the basis of FAB MS, IR and multinuclear NMR spectra in solution. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.