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

Novel, thermally stable, dark-red to orange Pt-0(sigma(2)-N,N'-diazadiene)( eta(2) -alkene) compounds have been synthesized in good yields from Pt-0(COD)(2) or Pt-0(NBE)(3), by stepwise substitution of the respective dienes or alkencs by an electron-poor alkene (dimethyl fumarate, maleic anhydride or fumaronitrile), followed by the appropriate diazadiene ligand in dry diethyl ether at 20 degreesC (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 pt(0)(sigma(2)-N,N'-diazadiene) (eta(2)-alkene) compounds. These zerovalent Pt(diazadiene)(eta(2) -alkene) compounds constitute a useful category of starting materials for synthetic organoplatinum chemistry and catalysis. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.