Synthesis of a Platinum(II) Bis(trimethylsilyl)amido Complex: A Better Starting Material for the Cyclometalation of Pincer Ligands

Treatment of [(COD)PtCl2] with LiN(SiMe3)2 gives [COD]PtClN(SiMe3)2 in high yield. This product was fully characterized, including an X-ray structure. From a number of examples it is shown to be a very convenient starting material for the preparation of PXP platinum pincer complexes, giving excellent yields of the cyclometalated product under mild conditions.