Synthesis and reactivity of an 2-azabutadiene-based π-conjugated dithioether: Formation of a N,S-ligated molybdenum chelate complex and C,N,S-pincer complexes of palladium and platinum

Nucleophilic attack of NaSiPr on [Cl2CC(H)-NCPh2}] (1) affords the 2-azabutadiene derivative [(i-PrS)2CC(H)-NCPh2] 2. In the case of cis-[(OC)4 Mo{(i-PrS)2CC(H)-NCPh2}] (3), coordination on Mo occurs through the imine nitrogen and a thioether group. Polydentate dithioether 2 acts as N,C,S-pincer ligand after orthometallation reaction with Pd(II) or Pt(II).