Phosphine and N-heterocyclic carbene ligands on Pt(II) shift selectivity from ethylene hydrophenylation toward benzene vinylation

Previously, Pt(II) complexes with chelating dipyridyl ligands have been shown to be active catalysts for ethylene hydrophenylation to form ethylbenzene. Herein, Pt(II) complexes with chelating bisphosphine and N-heterocyclic carbene ligands are shown to be selective catalysts for the conversion of benzene and ethylene to styrene formation with low turnover numbers.127