Stepwise Conversion of a Platinum Dimethyl Complex to a Perfluorometallacyclobutane Derivative

In
this report, we have demonstrated proof-in-principle that simple
dimethyl metal complexes could be used to generate perfluorometallacyclobutane
derivatives. With the new methodology, we have more than doubled the
number of known perfluorometallacyclobutanes in the literature. We
have also structurally characterized three platinum perfluorometallacyclobutanes
and have described a unique transformation whereby one [Pt­(C3F6)] functionality is converted to [Pt­(C3F4O2)]. The new methodology to prepare perfluorometallacyclobutanes
also avoids the use of tetrafluoroethylene, which is becoming increasingly
difficult to purchase due to the explosion hazards associated with
its use.