The chemical behaviour of di(2-pyridyl)sulphide, dps. Crystal and molecular structure of mu-di(2-pyridyl)sulphidebis(trans-dichlorotriethylphosphine platinum(II)), [{Pt(PEt3)Cl-2}(2)mu-dps] and its reactivity towards stannylated species

The coordinating ability of the ligand di(2-pyridyl)sulphide, dps, was stud ied in several situations. Dps behaved as a bidentate chelating agent with SnX4 (X=Cl or Br) and also with Pd and Pt (PdCl2 and K2PtCl4), whereas with [Pt-2(PR3)(2)Cl-4], (R = Et or Ph), it formed bridging complexes: [{Pt(PR3 )Cl-2}(2)mu-dps]. The crystal and molecular structure of [{Pt(PEt3)Cl-2}(2) mu-dps] was determined. This complex, as well as [M(dps)Cl-2], (M = Pd or P t), underwent reactions with SnCl2, which inserts into the M-Cl bonds produ cing heterobimetallic products, which are important in catalysis.