Reactions of tris(triphenylphosphine)platinum(o) and tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(o) with oxygen and carbon dioxide

The oxygen compounds (Ph3P)2MO2(M = Pd or Pt) have been prepared by the action of oxygen on (Ph3P)4Pd and (Ph3P)3Pt respectively. In presence of carbon dioxide the corresponding carbonato-complexes, (Ph3P)2MCO3, which may be isolated also as solvates, are obtained. The latter are characterised by spectroscopic and chemical techniques and some of their reactions described.