Reactions of coordinated nitriles. I. Mechanism of formation of amidino complexes of attack of Primary anilines of Pt(II) ortho-cyanobenzyl complexes

The reaction of the dimeric o-cyanabenzly complex cis-[Pt(o-CH2C6H4CN)(PPh3)2]2(BF4)2 with primary anilines to form monomeric amidino complexes cis-[View the MathML sourceH)(p-YC6H4NH)(PPH3)2]BF4 in DCE is a biphasic process. The first, rapid stage involves displacement of the nitrile group by the entering amine leading to al labile mononuclear amino complex bearing a dangling -CN group. This intermediate reacts with the amine in the second slower stage via attack of the amine nitrogen on the nitrile carbon to yield the final Pt(II)-amidino species.