Isolation and characterization of the acyl complexestrans-[Pt(PPh3)2(COR)Cl] (R =nBu orsBu) and their relevance to the hydroformylation of linear butenes catalyzed by platinum/tin/triphenylphosphine catalytic systems. Molecular structure ofcis- [Pt(PPh3)2Cl(SnCl3)]

The acyl complex trans -[Pt(PPh 3 ) 2 (CO n Bu)Cl] ( A ) has been synthesized by reaction of [Pt(PPh 3 ) 2 Cl 2 ] with 1-butene under 100 atm of CO at 80–100°C, in ethanol. With 2-butene rather than 1-butene under the same conditions, a mixture of the above acyl complex and of trans - [Pt(PPh 3 ) 2 (CO s Bu)Cl] ( B ) was formed. Complexes A and B do not interconvert. The new acyl complexes A and B have been characterized by IR and 1 H NMR and 13 C NMR spectroscopy. The ratio A / B increases with PPh 3 /Pt ratio and with temperature. The formation of two isomers when 2-butene is used involves an isomerization process which is likely to be limited to the alkyl precursor complexes. The reactivity of complexes A and B has been tested in reactions with SnCl 2 , H 2 , HCl and trans -[Pt(PPh 3 ) 2 HCl]. From the reaction solutions crystals of cis -[Pt(PPh 3 ) 2 Cl(SnCl 3 )] have been obtained. Its molecular structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The Pt atom has cis square planar coordination, with angular distortions due to steric factors. The strong trans influence of the SnCl 3 group is confirmed by the lengthening of the trans Pt-P distance. The SnCl 3 group has the pyramidal geometry found in all related compounds.