REACTIONS OF [MCL2(PPQME2)2] (M=PD, PT) WITH I- AND WITH CF3SO3H/I- INCLUDING THE SYNTHESIS AND X-RAY CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF THE PALLADIUM PHOSPHIDOXO COMPLEX [PD2(MU-I)2((PPH2O)2H)2]

The compounds [MI2(ppqMe2)2] (5: M = Pd; 6: M = Pt) have been synthesised and their thermolyses and reactions with strong acids investigated. Thermolysis of 5 in the presence of excess iodide ion caused complete decomposition of the complex whereas the corresponding reaction of 6 gave the P approximately O chelated complex [Pt(ppqMe)2] (7) in good yield. Treatment of 5 with CF3SO3H/I- facilitated the loss of the 2,5-dimethoxyphenyl substituent from each phosphine ligand and gave the iodo-bridged palladium(II) phosphidoxo complex [Pd2(mu-I)2{(PPh2O)2H}2] (8). An X-ray single crystal structural analysis of 8 is reported.