Several Pd(0) complexes catalyze the dimerization of
Mes*PCNPh [2, Mes* = 2,4,6-(t-Bu)3C6H2] to the unsymmetrical
heterocycle Mes*P(μ-CNPh)NPh(μ-CPMes*)
(5). The
symmetrical dimer [Mes*P(μ-CNPh)]2 (7),
which forms slowly by uncatalyzed dimerization
of 2, does not interconvert with 5; both
5 and 7 were structurally characterized by
X-ray
crystallography. The Pt complexes
PtL2[η2-(P,C)-Mes*PCNPh]
[8, L = 1/2 dppe
(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2); 9, L =
PPh3; 10, L = PCy3 (Cy =
c-C6H11)], models for intermediates in
the
catalysis, were prepared. Isomerization of Mes*PCCPh2
(3) to the phosphaindan [2,4-(t-Bu)2C6H2(6-CMe2CH2PCHCPh2)]
(6), which we previously observed with Rh(I)
catalysts,
is catalyzed by Pt(PCy3)2 or the known
Pt(PPh3)2[η2-(P,C)-Mes*PCCPh2]
(12). Comparison
of the metal-mediated reactions of 2 and 3
suggests that the initial steps in the catalyses,
coordination of the phosphacumulene to M(0), followed by loss of a
ligand, are similar.