Synthesis of new (σ2-N,N′-diazadiene)(η2-alkene)platinum(0) compounds

Novel, thermally stable, dark-red to orange Pt0(σ2-N,N′-diazadiene)(η2-alkene) compounds have been synthesized in good yields from Pt0(COD)2 or Pt0(NBE)3, by stepwise substitution of the respective dienes or alkenes by an electron-poor alkene (dimethyl fumarate, maleic anhydride or fumaronitrile), followed by the appropriate diazadiene ligand in dry diethyl ether at 20 °C (diazadiene=various N,N′-disubstitued-1,4-diaza-1,3-dienes). The complex Pt(DBA)2 is less suited as a precursor for the synthesis of Pt0(σ2-N,N′-diazadiene)(η2-alkene) compounds. These zerovalent Pt(diazadiene)(η2-alkene) compounds constitute a useful category of starting materials for synthetic organoplatinum chemistry and catalysis.