Concurrent B‑to-Pt Methyl Migration and B‑Center Retention in Aerobic Oxidation of Methylborato Platinum(II) Complexes

A new anionic methoxy methylbis­(2-pyridyl)­borate ligand enables facile oxidation of the derived dimethylplatinum­(II) complex, 10, with O2 in methanol to produce a mixture of two platinum­(IV) complexes in combined quantitative yield, one supported by a modified ligand, dimethoxybis­(2-pyridyl)­borate, and the second supported by the original methoxy methylbis­(2-pyridyl)­borate. The former product results from the aerobic PtII-to-PtIV oxidation and B-to-PtIV methyl migration with subsequent bridging of the boron and PtIV centers by a methoxy group derived from the solvent. A similar reactivity was also demonstrated for 11, the methyl methoxo platinum­(II) analogue of 10. Factors responsible for the product distribution are discussed.