STRUCTURE OF NIII, PDII AND PTII COMPLEXES WITH THE BIDENTATE LIGAND 2,11-BIS(DIETHYLPHOSPHINOMETHYL)BENZO[C]PHENANTHRENE

{2,11-Bis(diethylphosphinomethyl)benzo-[c]phenanthrene-P,P'}dichloronickel(II), [Ni(C28H34-P2)Cl2], M(r) = 562.14, orthorhombic, Pbcn, a = 16.197 (6), b = 16.886 (4), c = 9.693 (2) angstrom, V = 2651 (1) angstrom3, Z = 4, D(x) = 1.408 g cm-3, lambda(Mo K-alpha) = 0.71069 angstrom, mu = 10.7 cm-1, F(000) = 1176, T = 295 K, final R = 0.057 for 969 observed unique reflections. {2,11-Bis(diethylphosphinomethyl)benzo-[c]phenanthrene-P,P'}dichloropalladium(II), [Pd-C28H34P2)Cl2], M(r) = 609.83, orthorhombic, Pbcn, a = 16.256 (5), b = 16.847 (3), c = 9.844 (2) angstrom, V = 2696 (1) angstrom 3, Z = 4 D(x) = 1.504 g cm-3, lambda(Mo K-alpha) = 0. 71069 angstrom, mu = 10.1 cm-1, F(000) = 1248, T = 295 K, final R = 0.055 for 1044 observed unique reflections. {2,11-Bis(diethylphosphinomethyl)benzo[c]phenanthrene-P,P'}dichloroplatinum(II), [Pt(C28H34P2)Cl], M(r) = 696.52, orthorhombic, Pbcn, a = 16.283 (4), b = 16.863 (4), c = 9.823 (2) angstrom, V = 2697 (1) angstrom3, Z = 4, D(x) = 1.715 g cm-3, lambda(Mo K-alpha) = 0.71069 angstrom, mu = 55.9 cm-1, F(000)=1376, T = 295 K, final R = 0.054 for 1338 observed unique reflections. The three isomorphous complexes have square-planar coordinated metal atoms, with the P atoms in trans positions. The ligand assumes a conformation generally found in complexes with this type of ligand, based on the benzo[c]phenanthrene backbone, when the P-M-P angle is smaller than 160-degrees.