Unusual ligand design: A platinum(II) mediated [2+2] photocycloaddition followed by a nickel(II) induced methoxyactivation

A Pt(II) mediated [2+2] photocycloaddition yields a new flexidentate tetraphosphane ligand. The subsequent thermal methoxyactivation of the corresponding complex with NiCl2 gives two new phosphanophenolate ligands, representing a new simple synthetic route in the important field of phosphanophenolate syntheses. An application of these ligands is planned for the SHOP process.