Displacement of neutral nitrogen donors by chloride in [Pt(SNS)(R-py)](ClO4)2 (SNS = 2,6-bis(methylthiomethyl)pyridine; R-py = pyridines): A reactivity comparison between meta- and para-substituted pyridines

The kinetics of displacement by chloride of meta- and para-substituted pyridines (R-py) from [Pt(SNS)(R-py)]2+ complexes {SNS = 2,6-bis(methylsulfanylmethyl)pyridine} are reported. The reactivity of the two groups of N-donors is different, the meta-substituted pyridines resulting less reactive than the para-substituted on growing their basicity. These results have been explained on the basis of a different π-acidity between the two groups of ligands which influences the reaction ground state.