Benzene C-H activation by two isomeric platinum(II) complexes of bis(N-7-azaindolyl)methane

Two isomeric Pt(II) complexes, Pt(L1)(CH3)(2) (1a) and Pt(L2)(CH3)(2) (2a), based on two isomeric and fluorescent ligands of bis(N-7-azaindolyl)methane, L1 (symmetric) and L2 (asymmetric), have been synthesized and fully characterized by NMR and X-ray diffraction analyses. In the presence of [H(Et2O)(2)][BAr'(4)] (Ar' = 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)pheny), both la and 2a are capable of activating a benzene C-H bond readily at ambient temperature. The products from benzene activation by 1a and 2a have been isolated as [Pt(L1)Ph(SMe2)][BAr'(4)] (1b) and [Pt(L2)Ph(SMe2)][BAr'(4)] (2b). The structures of 1b and 2b have been determined by X-ray diffraction analyses. The phenyl ligand in 2b is bound exclusively trans to the pyrrole nitrogen atom of L2.