Facile Styrene Formation from Ethylene and a Phenylplatinum(II) Complex Leading to an Observable Platinum(II) Hydride

A new 2-(di-tert-butylphosphanyl)­benzenesulfonate-supported phenylplatinum­(II) complex instantaneously but reversibly binds ethylene at room temperature. Direct and rapid styrene formation at room temperature via insertion of the PtII-bound ethylene into the PtII–Ph fragment followed by β-hydride elimination results in the formation of a solution-stable PtII–H complex. The PtII–H fragment is resistant toward protonolysis by acetic acid. Oxidation of the PtII–H fragment by excess CuII(OTf)2 leads to an inorganic PtII complex incapable of C–H activation.