Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)platinum(0)

Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)platinum(0) is the chemical compound with the formula Pt(P(C6H5)3)4, often abbreviated Pt(PPh3)4. The bright yellow compound is used as a precursor to other platinum complexes. Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)platinum(0) is the chemical compound with the formula Pt(P(C6H5)3)4, often abbreviated Pt(PPh3)4. The bright yellow compound is used as a precursor to other platinum complexes. The molecule is tetrahedral, with point group symmetry of Td, as expected for a four-coordinate metal complex of a metal with the d10 configuration. Even though this complex follows the 18 electron rule, it dissociates triphenylphosphine in solution to give the 16e− derivative containing only three PPh3 ligands: The complex is typically prepared in one-pot reaction from potassium tetrachloroplatinate(II). Reduction of this platinum(II) species with alkaline ethanol in the presence of excess triphenylphosphine affords the product as a precipitate. The reaction occurs in two distinct steps. In the first step, PtCl2(PPh3)2 is generated. In the second step, this platinum(II) complex is reduced. The overall synthesis can be summarized as: Pt(PPh3)4 reacts with oxidants to give platinum(II) derivatives: Mineral acids give the corresponding hydride complexes: The reaction with oxygen affords a dioxygen complex: This complex is a precursor to the ethylene complex