Reaction of platinum-gold cluster compounds with dihydrogen

The platinum-gold cluster compound [Pt(Au-PPh[sub 3])[sub 8]](NO[sub 3])[sub 2] has been found to reversibly and rapidly react with dihydrogen to give the new dihydride cluster [Pt(H)[sub 2](AuPPh[sub 3])[sub 8]](NO[sub 3])[sub 2]. The reaction takes place in solution and solid phases. In solution the reaction has been followed by NMR spectroscopy as a function of temperature and H[sub 2] pressure and by electrochemistry. The new cluster has been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and is thought to be a key intermediate in the rapid H[sub 2]-D[sub 2] equilibration reaction catalyzed by [Pt(Au-PPh[sub 3])[sub 8]](NO[sub 3])[sub 2].