Synthesis and transition metal coordination of 2-(azidomethyl) phenyl isocyanide

The reaction of 2-(chloromethyl)phenyl formamide, 2-(CH2Cl)C6H4NHCHO, with NaN3 in DMSO at room temperature affords 2-(azidomethyl)phenyl formamide, 2-(CH2N3)C6H4NHCHO (1), which is then dehydrated to 2-(azidomethyl)phenyl isocyanide, 2-(CH2N3)C6H4NC, (2) upon reaction with SOCl2 in DMF at low temperature. The coordination ability of the isocyanide 2 has been tested towards some Pt(II), Pd(II) and W(0) metal complexes to yield derivatives of the type [PtCl2(CNC6H4-2-CH2N3)2], [PdCl2(CNC6H4-2-CH2N3)(PPh3)] and [W(CO)5(CNC6H4-2-CH2N3)], respectively.