A convenient preparation of [(Ph3P)3Pt2(μ-H)(μ-PPh2)Ph]BF4 by rearrangement of trans-aquahydridobis(triphenylphosphine) platinum(II) tetrafluoroborate

The cation [(PPh3)2Pt(H)OH2]+ previously suggested as an intermediate in the synthesis of [(Ph3P)3Pt2(μ-H)(μ-PPh2)Ph]+ has been isolated as the tetrafluoroborate salt and characterised by X-ray crystallography. The structure shows a large unit cell with three independent cations and extensive hydrogen bonding between the water molecules and the tetrafluoroborate anions. The rearrangement of [(PPh3)2Pt(H)OH2]+ in aqueous THF provides a convenient high yield route to [(Ph3P)3Pt2(μ-H)(μ-PPh2)Ph]+.