Relative Influence of Pd(II) and Pt(II) Metal Centers on the Strength of Interactions Between Planar Species

Palladium(II) or platinum(II) are often incorporated into metallo‐supramolecular architectures as their square‐planar geometry and relative accessibility make them attractive targets. The square‐planar cationic panels where palladium(II) or platinum(II) are bound within these species frequently participate in interactions which enable host–guest chemistry or controlled conformation. We here investigate whether there could be a difference between the strength of interactions established by Pd(II) or Pt(II)‐containing species. Analogous Pd(II) and Pt(II) model complexes were synthesized, and their behavior compared against aromatic and platinate guests. Predominantly through 1 H NMR techniques, we have established that Pt(II) can allow for π interactions with an aromatic guest roughly twice the strength of their Pd(II) counterparts, where binding is strong. Similarly, the interactions between the Pt(II) model complex with a platinate guest, were stronger than those of the Pd(II) model complex, although notably weak in both cases.