Bimetallic Pt/Ru complexes as catalysts for the electrooxidation of methanol

Electrochemical oxidations of RuCp(PPh3)(mu-Cl)(mu-dppm)PtCl2 (I) and [RuCp (PPh3)(mu-dppm)PtCl2]PF6 (2) in the presence of MeOH lead to considerable e nhancements of the oxidative currents, consistent with the catalytic oxidat ion of methanol. in the presence of dry methanol, the organic product from the bulk electrolysis of 1 is CH2(OCH3)(2). The presence of water is found to further enhance the currents, consistent with formation of an Ru oxo int ermediate. Oxidations of 1 in solutions containing wet methanol produce the more highly oxidized methyl formate.