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Updated: Sep 3, 2025

Amide Coupling Reaction for the Synthesis of Bispyridine-based Ligands and Their Complexation to Platinum as Dinuclear Anticancer Agents
Published on: May 28, 2014
Metal-Ligand-Anion Cooperation in C-H Bond Formation at Platinum(II)
Hannah E Zeitler1, Alexander S Phearman1, Michael R Gau1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.
Abstract:
Thermolysis of [H(BPI)Pt(CH3)][OTf] (BPI = 1,3-bis(2-(4-tert-butyl)pyridylimino)isoindole) to release methane and form (BPI)Pt(OTf) is reported. Kinetic, mechanistic, and computational studies point to an unusual anion-assisted pathway that obviates the need for a higher oxidation state intermediate to couple the metal-bound methyl group with the ligand-bound hydrogen. Leveraging this insight, a triflimide derivative of the (BPI)Pt complex was shown to activate benzene, highlighting the role of the counteranion in controlling the activity of these complexes.
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