The
complex [PtMe(Obpy)(OAc)2(H2O)], 2a, Obpy = 2,2′-bipyridine N-oxide,
is prepared through the reaction of [PtMe(Obpy)(SMe2)], 1a, by 1 equiv of PhI(OAc)2 via an oxidative addition
(OA) reaction. Pt(IV) complex 2a attends the process
of C–O bond reductive elimination (RE) reaction to form methyl
acetate and corresponding Pt(II) complex [Pt(Obpy)(OAc)(H2O)], 3a. The kinetic of OA and RE reactions are investigated
by means of different spectroscopies. The obtained results show that
the reaction rates of OA step of 1a are faster than its
analogous complex [PtMe(ppy)(SMe2)], 1b, ppy
= 2-phenylpyridine. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations
signify that the OA reaction initiated by a nucleophilic attack of
the platinum(II) central atom of 1b on the iodine(III)
atom while it had commenced by a nucleophilic substitution reaction
of coordinated SMe2 in 1a with a carbonyl
oxygen atom of PhI(OAc)2. Our calculation revealed that
the key step for 1a is an acetate transfer from the I(III)
to Pt(II) through a formation of square pyramidal iodonium complex.
This can be attributed to the more electron-withdrawing character
of Obpy ligand than to ppy which reduces the nucleophilicity of Pt
atom in 1a. Furthermore, 2a with electron-withdrawing
Obpy ligand prone to C–O bond formation faster than complex
[PtMe(ppy)(OAc)2(H2O)], 2b, with
an electron-rich ppy ligand which conforms to the anticipation that
REs occur faster on electron-poor metal centers.