Transition-Metal Complexes with Bidentate Ligands Spanning trans-Positions. IX. Preparation and 1H-NMR. Studies of complexes [MX2(1)] and [M′Cl(CO)(1)] (M = Pd,Pt; M′ = Rh,Ir; X = Cl,Br, I; 1 = 2, 11-Bis-(diphenylarsinomethyl)benzo[c]phenanthrene) and crystal and molecular structure of [PtCl2(1)]

The preparation of the bidentate ligand 2, 11-bis(diphenylarsinomethyl)benzo-[c]-phenanthrene ( 1 ) is described. This ligand reacts with appropriate substrates to give mononuclear square planar complexes of type [MX₂( 1 )] (M = Pd, Pt; X = Cl, Br, I) and [M′Cl(CO)( 1 )] (M′ = Rh, Ir) in which ligand 1 spans trans-positions. This is confirmed by the crystal structure of [PtCl₂( 1 )]. ¹H-NMR. spectra of the complexes are discussed and compared with those of model compounds trans-[MCl₂( 12 )₂] (M = Pd, Pt) and [M'Cl(CO)( 12 )₂] (M′ = Rh, Ir; 12 = AsBzPh₂).