Influence of the terminal ligands on the redox properties of the {Pt2(mu-S)2} core in [Pt2(Ph2X(CH2)2XPh2)2(mu-S)2] (X = P or As) complexes and on their reactivity towards metal centres, protic acids and organic electrophiles.

In order to explore possible ways for modulating the unusually rich chemistry shown by complexes of formula [L2Pt(mu-S)2PtL2] we have studied the influence of the nature of the terminal ligand L on the chemical properties of the {Pt2(mu-S)2} core. The systematic study we now report allows comparison of the behaviour of [Pt2(dpae)2(mu-S)2](dpae = Ph2As(CH2)2AsPh2) (1) with the already reported analogue [Pt2(dppe)2(mu-S)2](dppe = Ph2P(CH2)2PPh2). Complex 1 as well as the corresponding multimetallic derivatives [Pt(dpae){Pt2(dpae)2(mu-S)2}](BPh4)2 2, [M{Pt2(dpae)2(mu-S)2}2]X2 (M = Cu(II), X = BF4 3; M = Zn(II), X = BPh4 4; M = Cd(II), X = ClO4 5; M = Hg(II), X = Cl 6 or X2 = Cl(1.5)[HCl2](0.5) 6') have been characterized in the solid phase and in solution. Comparison of structural parameters of 1 and 3-6' with those of the corresponding phosphine analogues, together with the results of the electrochemical study for 1, allow us to conclude that replacement of dppe by dpae causes a decrease in basicity of the {Pt2(mu-S)2} core. The study of the reactivity of 1 towards CH2Cl2 and protic acids has led to the structural characterization of [Pt(dpae)(S2CH2)] 9 and [PtCl2(dpae)] 10. Moreover, comparison with the reactivity of [Pt2(dppe)2(mu-S)2] indicates that the stability of the intermediate species as well as the nature of the final products in both multistep reactions are sensitive to the nature of the terminal ligand.