IMIDO NITRENE LIGANDS IN THE COMPLEXES OF PLATINUM METALS/

A synthetic search for palladium and platinum complexes with nitrene l igands via reaction of tetranuclear cluster Pd-4(mu(2)-CO)(4)(mu(2)- O Ac)(4) with nitrosobenzene and reactions of mononuclear complexes [MX4 ](2-) (M = Pt, Pd; X = Cl, NO2) with o-phenylenediamine and its N-phen yl derivative have been carried out. The complexes obtained, [Pd(OAc)o -(PhN)(NO)C6H4](2), Pd[o-(NPh)(N)C6H4](2), Pt[o-(NPh)(N)C6H4](2), Pt-2 [o-(NPh)(N)C6H4](4)[O3SCF3](2), and Pt-2[o-(NPh)(N)C6H4](4)Br-2. have been structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction st udies. The oxidation of complex Pt[o-(NPh)(N)C6H4](2) by excess AgO3SC F3 afforded a heterotricyclic quinoxaline derivative, whose structure has been determined by X-ray analysis. The data obtained suggest that labile nitrene species coordinated to Pd and Pt complexes are possible intermediates in the reactions under study. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.