A synthetic breakthrough into an unanticipated stability regime: readily isolable complexes in which C16-C28 polyynediyl chains span two platinum atoms.

The oxidative cross-coupling of trans-(p-tol)(p-tol3P)2Pt(CC)2H (PtC4H) and excess H(CC)2SiEt3 (O2, cat. CuCl, TMEDA, acetone; Hay conditions) gives PtC8Si (29%), PtC12Si (30%), and PtC16Si (1%; Si = SiEt3). The less stable PtC6H is generated in situ from PtC6Si and n-Bu4N+F-; following the addition of ClSiMe3 (F- scavenger) and excess H(CC)2SiEt3, the Hay conditions afford PtC10Si (59%) and PtC14Si (7%). Analogous sequences can be conducted with PtC8Si and PtC10Si. When PtC6Si, PtC8Si, and PtC10Si are similarly reacted in the absence of H(CC)2SiEt3, homocouplings to PtC12Pt (88%), PtC16Pt (70%), and PtC20Pt (72%) occur. However, analogous reactions of PtC12Si and PtC14Si fail, presumably due to the rapid decomposition of PtC12H and PtC14H. Brønsted acidity trends suggest that (CC)n moieties should become better leaving groups with increasing chain length. Thus, when PtC12Si and PtC14Si are subjected to the Hay conditions alone, PtC24Pt (36%) and PtC28Pt (51%) are isolated, with substantial recovery of starting material from the former reaction. Presumably adventitious water and/or other nucleophiles effect desilylation (as also seen in the cross-couplings), after which homocoupling is rapid due to the simultaneous availability of an oxidizing agent. PtC24Pt and PtC28Pt are thermally stable to >/=140 degrees C, whereas all other known dodecaynes and tetradecaynes rapidly decompose at room temperature. There is every reason to believe that this series can be further extended. UV-visible spectra show progressively red-shifted and more intense bands with epsilon > 400 000 M-1 cm-1.