The series of Pt II complexes [( x bpy)Pt(Ph)(THF)][BAr′ 4 ] ( x bpy =4,4′-X-2,2′-bipyridyl, X = OMe, t Bu, H, Br, CO 2 Et, NO 2 ; Ar′ = 3,5bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) are catalyst precursors for ethylene hydrophenylation.The bipyridyl substituent provides a tunable switch for catalyst selectivity that also has significant influence on catalyst activity and longevity. Less electron donating 4,4′-substituents increase the propensity toward styrene formation over ethylbenzene.

Dedicated in memory of Prof. A. E. Shilov and his many seminal contributions to the fields of organometallic chemistry and catalysis