Platinum(II) mediated Csp3-H activation of tetramethylthiourea

The C-H activation of the methyl group of tetramethylthiourea by cis-[PtL2(NO3)2] (L = phosphine or N-heterocyclic carbene) has been investigated as a function of the ligand L. The presence of an electron-withdrawing group on the tertiary phosphine was found to promote the process. moreover, with an excess of nitrate ion present in the reaction mixture, the rate of C-H bond activation is retarded, suggesting the key role of an unsaturated tri-coordinate Pt(II) species as intermediate.