Synthesis and Characterization of an Unusual Platinum(II) Alkene Complex with an η2-Arene Interaction

Dichloro(9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethenoanthracene)platinum(II) has been synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The crystal structure shows that the alkene fragment serves as an anchor to place one of the aromatic rings in close enough proximity for an η2-arene−platinum interaction. Thus, the ethenoanthracene functions as a bidentate ligand.