Synthesis and structure of an unexpected platinum pi complex formed from substituted 1,4-diamino ligands through an elimination process.

An unusual reactivity of cis-1,2-bis[(N,N-dimethylamino)methyl] cyclohexane with PtCl(2) was observed, resulting in the formation of a platinum(II) pi-olefin complex instead of the conventional square-planar cis Pt(II) coordination complex with the diamino ligand. This behavior was interpreted on the basis of the steric hindrance of the dimethylamino groups whose electron lone pairs are barely accessible to a platinum atom, which can make it difficult for both dimethylamino groups to bind platinum at the same time. This complex has been physically and spectroscopically characterized and its structure has been confirmed by using X-ray diffraction analyses on single crystals.