Stable diplatinum complexes with functional thiolato bridges from dialkylation of [Pt2(mu-S)2(P-P)2] [P-P=2 x PPh3, Ph2P(CH2)3PPh2].

The normally robust monoalkylated complexes Pt(2)(mu-S)(mu-SR)(PPh(3))(4) can be activated towards further alkylation. Dialkylated complexes Pt(2)(mu-SR)(2)(P-P)(2) (P-P=2 x PPh(3), Ph(2)P(CH(2))(3)PPh(2)) can be stabilized and isolated by the use of electron-rich and aromatic halogenated substituents R [e.g. 3-(2-bromoethyl)indole and 2-bromo-4'-phenylacetophenone] and 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane [Ph(2)P(CH(2))(3)PPh(2) or dppp] which enhances the nucleophilicity of the {Pt(2)(mu-S)(2)} core. This strategy led to the activation of Pt(2)(mu-S)(mu-SR)(PPh(3))(4) towards R-X as well as isolation and crystallographic elucidation of Pt(2)(mu-SC(10)H(10)N)(2)(PPh(3))(4)(2) (2a), Pt(2)(mu-SCH(2)C(O)C(6)H(4)C(6)H(5))(2)(PPh(3))(4)(2) (2b), and a range of functionalized-thiolato bridged complexes such as Pt(2)(mu-SR)(2)(dppp)(2)(2) [R= -CH(2)C(6)H(5) (8a), -CH(2)CHCH(2) (8b) and -CH(2)CN (8c)]. The stepwise alkylation process is conveniently monitored by Electrospray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry, allowing for a direct qualitative comparison of the nucleophilicity of [Pt(2)(mu-S)(2)(P-P)(2)], thereby guiding the bench-top synthesis of some products observed spectroscopically.