Japan—Osaka Metropolitan University scientists elucidated the molecular structure of anionic Pt(0) complexes for the first time in collaboration with co-researchers at Paul Sabatier University – Toulouse III.
The key to success is the stabilization of anionic Pt(0) complexes (which are usually unstable owing to their electron-donating nature) by the electron-accepting properties of boron compounds. The research is expected to lead to the development of innovative catalytic reactions mediated by these chemical species.
Anionic M0 complexes (M = group 10 metals) have attracted attention as active species for catalytic reactions; however, their molecular structures have very rarely been determined owing to their extremely high reactivity.
Particularly, the structures of Pt0 complexes, which are expected to exhibit a high degree of reactivity, have not been determined, and their syntheses have been almost nonexistent.
Associate Professor Hajime Kameo and Professor Hiroyuki Matsuzaka from the Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Science and CNRS Senior Researcher Didier Bourissou (Paul Sabatier University – Toulouse III) elucidated the molecular structures of anionic Pt0 complexes for the first time.
“Although platinum complexes that exhibit a variety of catalytic activities have been actively studied, anionic Pt0 complexes have remained a mystery,” stated Professor Kameo.
“The results of this research not only enable us to elucidate the properties and functions of highly active chemical species but also provide new guidelines for their creation. It is expected to lead to the development of innovative catalytic reactions mediated by these chemical species.”
Their findings were published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition.
