The crystal and molecular structure of the platinum(0) complex, [CH₃C(CH₂PPh₂)₃]₂Pt

Abstract

An X-ray analysis of single crystals of bis[1,1,1- tris(diphenylphosphinomethyl)ethane]platinum(O) is described. The crystals are triclinic, space group Aī, a 15.018(5), b 25.937(9), c 22.722(8) Ǻ; α 104.16(2)°, β 115.80(2)°, γ 88.65(2)°, Z4.     The diffraction data (Mo Kα; automatic diffractometry) have provided all atomic positions (with the exception of hydrogen atoms) and the scattering model has been refined by least-squares methods to R 0.084 (4774 independent reflections). The platinum has a distorted tetrahedral stereochemistry (with mean Pt-P 2.287 Ǻ), only four of the six phosphorus ligand atoms being coordinated. This stereochemistry is preserved in solution. A discussion of the metal-phosphorus bond in low-valent metal complexes is provided, it being concluded that π- bonding effects on bond lengths have been overemphasized in the past.