Pt and Pd 1,4-shifts at the edge of dibenz[a,c]anthracene.

1,4-Shifts of the carbon-bonded metal are observed on heating solutions of trans-bromo(dibenz[a,c]anthracen-9-yl)bis(triethylphosphine)platinum or trans-bromo(dibenz[a,c]anthracen-9-yl)bis(triethylphosphine)palladium. The shift does not occur from the cis isomer and is more rapid for the Pt complex. Solvent effects suggest polar species, while the absence of deuterium incorporation in the presence of D2O indicates nonacidic intermediates.