Facile Styrene Formation from Ethylene and a Phenylplatinum(II) Complex Leading to an Observable Platinum(II) Hydride

A new
2-(di-tert-butylphosphanyl)­benzenesulfonate-supported
phenylplatinum­(II) complex instantaneously but reversibly binds ethylene
at room temperature. Direct and rapid styrene formation at room temperature
via insertion of the PtII-bound ethylene into the PtII–Ph fragment followed by β-hydride elimination
results in the formation of a solution-stable PtII–H
complex. The PtII–H fragment is resistant toward
protonolysis by acetic acid. Oxidation of the PtII–H
fragment by excess CuII(OTf)2 leads to an inorganic
PtII complex incapable of C–H activation.