A novel Pt(iv) mono azido mono triazolato complex evolves azidyl radicals following irradiation with visible light

The platinum(iv) azido complex trans,trans,trans-[PtIV(N3)2(OH)2(py)2] (1) undergoes cycloaddition with 1,4-diphenyl-2-butyne-1,4-dione (2) under mild, catalyst-free conditions, affording a number of mono and bis click products. The major mono click product (3) exists in MeCN as an equilibrium mixture between two species; 3a and 3b rapidly interconvert through nucleophilic attack of the axial Pt-OH group at the adjacent Ph-CO group. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for this interconversion have been measured by selective saturation-transfer NMR spectroscopic experiments and are consistent with cyclisation at the Pt centre. Complex 3b was also characterised by X-ray crystallography. Visible light irradiation (440-480 nm) of 3 in d3-MeCN produces azidyl radicals (N3˙), as demonstrated by EPR spin-trapping with DMPO; no generation of hydroxyl radicals was observed. 1H-195Pt HMBC NMR confirmed that the photoproducts were PtIV rather than PtII species, and HPLC was consistent with these being [3-N3]+ species; no facile photoejection of the triazolato ligand was observed, consistent with MS/MS fragmentation of 3. When 3 was irradiated in the presence of 5'-GMP, no 5'-GMP photoproducts were observed, suggesting that complex 3 is likely to exhibit significantly simplified biological activity (release of azidyl radicals but not DNA binding) compared with complex 1.