Anionic complexes of group 10 metals, specifically M0 complexes, have been identified as potentially active species for catalytic reactions. However, their highly reactive nature has made it extremely challenging to determine their molecular structures. Among these complexes, Pt0 complexes are expected to exhibit a particularly high level of reactivity, yet their synthesis has been very rare and their structures remain unknown.
Recently, Associate Professor Hajime Kameo and Professor Hiroyuki Matsuzaka from Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Science, along with CNRS Senior Researcher Didier Bourissou from Paul Sabatier University—Toulouse III, successfully elucidated the molecular structures of anionic Pt0 complexes. Their research breakthrough was published in the prestigious journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition.
The breakthrough in determining the molecular structures of anionic Pt0 complexes was made possible by stabilizing these highly unstable complexes through boron compounds’ electron-accepting properties. This was crucial since anionic Pt0 complexes are known to be unstable due to their electron-donating nature.
Professor Kameo remarked that although various platinum complexes with catalytic activities have been extensively researched, the anionic Pt0 complexes have remained elusive until now. He believes that their findings will not only allow for a better understanding of these highly active chemical species’ properties and functions but also pave the way for the creation of new guidelines for their synthesis. This could lead to the development of novel catalytic reactions mediated by these chemical species in the future.
Source: Osaka Metropolitan University