Synthesis, spectroscopy, structure and photophysical properties of dinaphthylmethylarsine complexes of palladium(II) and platinum(II)

Dinaphthylmethylarsine complexes of palladium(II) and platinum(II) with the formulae MX₂L₂] (M = Pd, Pt; L = di(1-naphthyl)methylarsine = Nap₂AsMe and X = Cl, Br, I), M₂Cl₂(μ-Cl)₂L₂], PdCl(S₂CNEt₂)L], Pd₂Cl₂(μ-OAc)₂L₂] and MCl₂(PR₃)L] (PR₃ = PEt₃, PPr₃, PBu₃, PMePh₂) have been prepared. These complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, Raman, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P) and UV-vis spectroscopy. The stereochemistry of the complexes has been deduced from the spectroscopic data. The crystal structures of trans-PdCl₂(PEt₃)(Nap₂AsMe)] and of Pd(S₂CNEt₂)₂], a follow-up product, were determined. The UV-vis spectra of MX₂L₂] complexes show a red shift on going from X = Cl to X = I. The complexes PdX₂L₂] and PtX₂L₂] are strongly luminescent in fluid solution and in the solid at ambient temperature.