Benzene C−H Activation by Two Isomeric Platinum(II) Complexes of Bis(N-7-azaindolyl)methane

Two isomeric Pt(II) complexes, Pt(L1)(CH 3 ) 2 ( 1a ) and Pt(L2)(CH 3 ) 2 ( 2a ), based on two isomeric and fluorescent ligands of bis( N- 7-azaindolyl)methane, L1 (symmetric) and L2 (asymmetric), have been synthesized and fully characterized by NMR and X-ray diffraction analyses. In the presence of [H(Et 2 O) 2 ][BAr‘ 4 ] (Ar‘ = 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl), both 1a and 2a are capable of activating a benzene C−H bond readily at ambient temperature. The products from benzene activation by 1a and 2a have been isolated as [Pt(L1)Ph(SMe 2 )][BAr‘ 4 ] ( 1b ) and [Pt(L2)Ph(SMe 2 )][BAr‘ 4 ] ( 2b ). The structures of 1b and 2b have been determined by X-ray diffraction analyses. The phenyl ligand in 2b is bound exclusively trans to the pyrrole nitrogen atom of L2 .