Redox Chemistry of Pt(II) Complex with Non-Innocent NHC Bis(Phenolate) Pincer Ligand: Electrochemical, Spectroscopic, and Computational Aspects

Abstract

A Pt(II) complex bearing chelating tridentate bis-aryloxide tetrahydropyrimidinium-based N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) was synthesized and characterized by using different techniques. Both cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry were used to study the electrochemical properties of the complex, revealing two reversible one-electron oxidation processes. The chemical generation and isolation of one-electron-oxidized species were performed oxidizing the initial complex by means of AgBF4. A combination of spectroscopic (UV-Vis/NIR- and EPR-) and theoretical (density functional theory (DFT)) studies suggests the formation of a Pt(II)-phenoxyl radical complex. The latter open-shell derivative was structurally characterized by means of X-ray diffraction analysis. Finally, the neutral platinum complex was tested as a mediator in the process of electrocatalytic oxidation of 2-(methylamino)ethanol (MEA).

Keywords

• cyclic voltammetry
• electron paramagnetic resonance
• DFT calculations
• UV-VIS/NIR
• phenoxyl radical
• pincer complex