A new template condensation reaction has been discovered in a mixture of Pt(II), thiobenzamide, and base. Four complexes of the general form [Pt(ctaPhR)2], R = CH3 (1a), H (1b), F (1c), Cl (1d), cta = condensed thioamide, have been prepared under similar conditions and thoroughly characterized by 1H NMR and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy, (spectro)electrochemistry, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The ligand is redox active and can be reduced from the initial monoanion to a dianionic and then trianionic state. Chemical reduction of 1a with [Cp2Co] yielded [Cp2Co]2[Pt(ctaPhCH3)2], [Cp2Co]2[1a], which has been similarly characterized with the addition of EPR spectroscopy and SQUID magnetization. The singly reduced form containing [1a]1-, (nBu4N)[Pt(ctaPhCH3)2], has been generated in situ and characterized by UV-vis and EPR spectroscopies. DFT studies of 1b, [1b]1-, and [1b]2- confirm the location of additional electrons in exclusively ligand-based orbitals. A detailed analysis of this redox-active ligand, with emphasis on the characteristics that favor noninnocent behavior in six-membered chelate rings, is included.
