Congrats Laura! Really cool work!

Intramolecular Csp3-H Activation at a Platinum(IV) Center Resulting from O2 Activation: The Role of a Proton-Responsive Ligand and Trans Influence Aerobic oxidation of a dimethylplatinum(II) complex featuring 1,1-di(2-pyridyl)ethanol as a supporting ligand leads to the formation of two unexpected PtIV complexes (in ∼1:1 ratio), neither of which results from direct oxidation typical for PtII centers supported by popular κ2-(N,N) ligands. While one product features an isomerized PtIV center stabilized by the κ3-(N,N,O) ligand coordination mode, surprisingly, the other product results from intramolecular activation of the ligand methyl fragment. Mechanistic studies, reactivity of model complexes, and DFT calculations reveal that the critical proton-responsive nature of the ligand allows formation of intermediates that result in a concerted metalation deprotonation (CMD)-like C–H activation at PtIV. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first mechanistic delineation of Csp3-H activation at PtIV, despite being known for other high-valent platinum group metal centers.

Interested in Platinum, Metal-Ligand cooperation, trans effect, O2 and Csp3-H activation? This collaboration @J_A_C_S @Lovegroupchem with Prof. Shrin Pal incorporates it all! Huge shouts to Shrin and Jennifer for being amazing mentors, and to Shrin for leading this work. pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....

Easy Removal of Triphenylphosphine Oxide from Reaction Mixtures by Precipitation with CaBr2 A reliable and scalable purification procedure for the easy removal of triphenylphosphine oxide by complexation with CaBr2 in ethereal solvents or toluene was developed. The resulting insoluble precip...

Calcium bromide precipitation of triphenylphosphine oxide is such a handy method of removal. Just used it to clean up a phosphorus ylide, and it worked like a charm!

pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...