IChO 2012 · Theory problem 2

Platinum(II) compounds, isomers and the trans effect

A. Platinum(II) Compounds, Isomers, and the Trans Effect.

Platinum and other Group 10 metals form square planar complexes and the mechanisms of their reactions have been studied extensively. For example, it is known that substitution reactions of these complexes proceed with retention of stereochemistry.

Figure 1

It is also known that the rate of substitution of ligand X by Y depends on the nature of the ligand trans to X, that is, on ligand T. This is known as the trans effect. When T is one of the molecules or ions in the following list, the rate of substitution at the trans position decreases from left to right.

\[ \ce{CN^-}>\ce{H^-}>\ce{NO2^-},\ \ce{I^-}> \ce{Br^-},\ \ce{Cl^-}> \text{pyridine},\ \ce{NH3},\ \ce{OH^-},\ \ce{H2O} \]

The preparations of cis- and trans-\(\ce{Pt(NH3)2Cl2}\) depend on the trans affect. The preparation of the cis isomer, a cancer chemotherapy agent commonly called cisplatin, involves the reaction of \(\ce{K2PtCl4}\) with ammonia.

Figure 2

2.1 Draw all possible stereoisomers for square planar platinum(II) compounds with the formula \(\ce{Pt(py)(NH3)BrCl}\) (where py = pyridine, \(\ce{C5H5N}\)).

2.2 Write reaction schemes including intermediate(s), if any, to show the preparation in aqueous solution for each of the stereoisomers of \(\ce{[Pt(NH3)(NO2)Cl2]^-}\) using, as reagents, \(\ce{PtCl4^2-}\), \(\ce{NH3}\), and \(\ce{NO2^-}\). The reactions are controlled kinetically by the trans effect.

B. Kinetic Studies of Substitution Reactions of Square Planar Complexes

Substitutions of the ligand X by Y in square planar complexes

Figure 3

can occur in either or both of two ways:

i) Direct substitution: The incoming ligand Y attaches to the central metal, forming a five-coordinate complex, which then rapidly eliminates a ligand, X, to give the product, \(\ce{ML3Y}\).

Figure 4

\(\ast\ast\) = rate determining step, rate constant = \(k_{\mathrm Y}\)

ii) Solvent-assisted substitution: A solvent molecule S attaches to the central metal to give \(\ce{ML3XS}\), which eliminates the X to give \(\ce{ML3S}\). Y rapidly displaces S to give \(\ce{ML3Y}\).

Figure 5

\(\ast\ast\) = rate determining step, \(k_{\mathrm S}\) = rate constant

The overall rate law for such substitutions is

\[ \mathrm{Rate} =k_s[\ce{ML3X}]+k_{\mathrm Y}[\ce{Y}][\ce{ML3X}] \]

When \([\ce{Y}]\gg[\ce{ML3X}]\), then \(\mathrm{Rate}=k_{\mathrm{obs}}[\ce{ML3X}]\).

The values of \(k_s\) and \(k_{\mathrm Y}\) depend on the reactants and solvent involved. One example is the displacement of the \(\ce{Cl^-}\) ligand in a square planar platinum(II) complex, \(\ce{ML2X2}\), by pyridine (\(\ce{C5H5N}\)). (The \(\ce{ML3X}\) scheme above applies to \(\ce{ML2X2}\).)

Figure 6

Data for reaction at \(25\,^\circ\mathrm C\) in methanol where \([\text{pyridine}]\gg\) the concentration of the platinum complex, are given in the table below.

Concentration of pyridine (\(\mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\)) \(k_{\mathrm{obs}}\) (\(\mathrm{s^{-1}}\))
0.122 \(7.20\cdot10^{-4}\)
0.061 \(3.45\cdot10^{-4}\)
0.030 \(1.75\cdot10^{-4}\)

2.3 Calculate the values of \(k_s\) and \(k_{\mathrm Y}\). Give the proper unit for each constant.

(A grid is given if you wish to use it.)

2.4 When [pyridine] = \(0.10\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\), which of the following is true? (Tick the box next to the correct answer.)

☐ Most pyridine product is formed by the solvent-assisted (\(k_s\)) substitution pathway.

☐ Most pyridine product is formed by the direct substitution (\(k_{\mathrm Y}\)) pathway

☐ Comparable amounts of product are formed by the two pathways.

☐ No conclusions may be drawn regarding the relative amounts of product produced by the two pathways.

C. A chemotherapy agent

In an effort to better target cisplatin to cancer cells, Professor Lippard’s group at MIT attached a platinum(IV) complex to oligonucleotides bound to gold nanoparticles.

Figure 7

2.5 Experiments showed that the diameter of a gold nanoparticle was 13 nm. Attached to this nanoparticle are 90 oligonucleotide groups, with 98 % of them being bound to a Pt(IV) complex. Suppose that the reaction vessel used for treating cells with the Pt(IV) nanoparticle reagent had a volume of \(1.0\ \mathrm{cm^3}\) and the concentration of the solution was \(1.0\cdot10^{-6}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\) in \(\ce{Pt}\). Calculate the mass of platinum and that of gold used in this experiment.

(The density of gold = \(19.3\ \mathrm{g\,cm^{-3}}\), the volume of a sphere = \((4/3)\pi r^3=4.18879\,r^3\).)

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

The coordination SMILES below use dative bonds and @SP descriptors for square-planar stereochemistry. The ligand positions are also specified in words in the solution.

  • 2.1: There are three stereoisomers of amminebromidochlorido(pyridine)platinum(II):

I — pyridine trans to ammonia: [NH3]->[Pt@SP3+2](<-[Cl-])(<-[Br-])<-n1ccccc1

II — pyridine trans to bromido: [NH3]->[Pt@SP2+2](<-[Cl-])(<-[Br-])<-n1ccccc1

III — pyridine trans to chlorido: [NH3]->[Pt@SP1+2](<-[Cl-])(<-[Br-])<-n1ccccc1

  • 2.2: There are two stereoisomers:

cis-Amminedichlorido(nitro)platinate(II), obtained by adding ammonia first, then nitrite: [NH3]->[Pt@SP1+2](<-[Cl-])(<-[Cl-])<-N(=O)[O-]

trans-Amminedichlorido(nitro)platinate(II), obtained by adding nitrite first, then ammonia: [NH3]->[Pt@SP3+2](<-[Cl-])(<-[Cl-])<-N(=O)[O-]

  • 2.3: \(\boxed{k_s\approx0\ \mathrm{s^{-1}}}\), \(\boxed{k_{\mathrm Y}\approx5.9\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}\,s^{-1}}}\).

  • 2.4: Tick the second box: most product is formed by the direct substitution pathway.

  • 2.5: To two significant figures, \[ \boxed{m(\ce{Pt})=2.0\times10^{-7}\ \mathrm g=0.20\ \mathrm{\mu g}} \] \[ \boxed{m(\ce{Au})=1.5\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm g=0.15\ \mathrm{mg}}. \]

Solution

The simple molecular and ionic species used below are:

Name Formula SMILES
Ammonia \(\ce{NH3}\) [NH3]
Pyridine \(\ce{C5H5N}\) n1ccccc1
Bromide ion \(\ce{Br^-}\) [Br-]
Chloride ion \(\ce{Cl^-}\) [Cl-]
Nitrite ion \(\ce{NO2^-}\) O=N[O-]

For the complexes containing nitrite, the structural SMILES represent N-bound nitro coordination. All platinum(II) complexes considered here have square-planar coordination. The SMILES encode connectivity and the indicated stereochemistry; they do not depict the electron flow during substitution.

2.1 — All square-planar stereoisomers

Fix pyridine at one position. The ligand opposite it can be ammonia, bromido, or chlorido, giving three possibilities. Once this opposite ligand is chosen, exchanging the remaining two positions gives a superposable arrangement after rotation in three-dimensional space.

Thus there are exactly three geometrical isomers, with these pairs of opposite ligands:

Isomer First trans pair Second trans pair
I Pyridine–ammonia Bromido–chlorido
II Pyridine–bromido Ammonia–chlorido
III Pyridine–chlorido Ammonia–bromido

To draw them precisely, put platinum at the centre of a cross and pyridine above it. Place the other ligands as follows:

Isomer Below platinum Left of platinum Right of platinum
I \(\ce{NH3}\) \(\ce{Br}\) \(\ce{Cl}\)
II \(\ce{Br}\) \(\ce{NH3}\) \(\ce{Cl}\)
III \(\ce{Cl}\) \(\ce{NH3}\) \(\ce{Br}\)

The corresponding names and stereochemical SMILES are given in Answers 2.1. These ideal square-planar arrangements do not generate additional enantiomeric pairs.

2.2 — Preparation of both stereoisomers

The relevant trans-effect order is

\[ \ce{NO2^-}>\ce{Cl^-}>\ce{NH3}. \]

The starting ion and the two monosubstituted intermediates are:

Name Formula SMILES
Tetrachloridoplatinate(II) ion \(\ce{[PtCl4]^2-}\) [Cl-]->[Pt+2](<-[Cl-])(<-[Cl-])<-[Cl-]
Amminetrichloridoplatinate(II) ion \(\ce{[PtCl3(NH3)]^-}\) [NH3]->[Pt+2](<-[Cl-])(<-[Cl-])<-[Cl-]
Trichlorido(nitro)platinate(II) ion \(\ce{[PtCl3(NO2)]^2-}\) O=N([O-])->[Pt+2](<-[Cl-])(<-[Cl-])<-[Cl-]

Each has square-planar geometry; three identical chlorido ligands mean that no distinct geometrical isomers need to be specified for these intermediates.

Preparation of the cis isomer: ammonia first

First replace one chlorido ligand with ammonia:

\[ \ce{[PtCl4]^2- + NH3 -> [PtCl3(NH3)]^- + Cl^-}. \]

Then introduce nitrite:

\[ \ce{[PtCl3(NH3)]^- + NO2^- -> [Pt(NH3)(NO2)Cl2]^- + Cl^-} \qquad(\textit{cis}\text{ product}). \]

In the intermediate, one chlorido ligand is trans to ammonia, while the other two are trans to each other. Because chloride has a stronger trans effect than ammonia, nitrite preferentially replaces a chlorido ligand trans to another chlorido ligand.

Consequently, the incoming nitro ligand is cis to ammonia, and the two remaining chlorido ligands are also cis.

A precise drawing of the product has ammonia above platinum, nitro to the right, and chlorido ligands below and to the left. Its trans pairs are ammonia–chlorido and nitro–chlorido.

Preparation of the trans isomer: nitrite first

First introduce nitrite:

\[ \ce{[PtCl4]^2- + NO2^- -> [PtCl3(NO2)]^2- + Cl^-}. \]

Then introduce ammonia:

\[ \ce{[PtCl3(NO2)]^2- + NH3 -> [Pt(NH3)(NO2)Cl2]^- + Cl^-} \qquad(\textit{trans}\text{ product}). \]

The nitro ligand has a stronger trans effect than chloride. Ammonia therefore preferentially replaces the chlorido ligand trans to nitro.

The resulting ammonia and nitro ligands are opposite each other, as are the two remaining chlorido ligands. Draw ammonia above platinum, nitro below it, and the chlorido ligands to the left and right.

All four substitution equations conserve both atoms and charge.

2.3 — Determination of the rate constants

From the supplied rate law,

\[ \mathrm{Rate} =\left(k_s+k_{\mathrm Y}[\text{pyridine}]\right) [\text{platinum complex}], \]

so

\[ \boxed{k_{\mathrm{obs}} =k_s+k_{\mathrm Y}[\text{pyridine}]}. \]

Therefore, a plot of \(k_{\mathrm{obs}}\) against pyridine concentration has:

  • intercept \(k_s\), with units \(\mathrm{s^{-1}}\);
  • slope \(k_{\mathrm Y}\), with units \(\mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}\,s^{-1}}\).

The three values of \(k_{\mathrm{obs}}/[\text{pyridine}]\) are

\[ 5.902\times10^{-3},\quad 5.656\times10^{-3},\quad 5.833\times10^{-3} \quad\mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}\,s^{-1}}. \]

They are approximately constant, so the plotted line passes approximately through the origin.

The data are not exactly collinear: an unconstrained least-squares fit gives an intercept of \(-9.47\times10^{-6}\ \mathrm{s^{-1}}\), which cannot be a physical rate constant. Constraining both rate constants to be nonnegative gives the best fit at \(k_s=0\). The corresponding slope is

\[ k_{\mathrm Y} =\frac{\sum_i[\text{pyridine}]_i k_{\mathrm{obs},i}} {\sum_i[\text{pyridine}]_i^2} =5.8516\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}\,s^{-1}}. \]

Thus the appropriate approximate results are

\[ \boxed{k_s\approx0\ \mathrm{s^{-1}}}, \qquad \boxed{k_{\mathrm Y}\approx5.9\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}\,s^{-1}}}. \]

Here \(k_s\) is the effective first-order constant in the given rate law, which already incorporates the constant solvent concentration.

2.4 — Dominant substitution pathway

At \([\text{pyridine}]=0.10\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\), the direct pathway contributes

\[ k_{\mathrm Y}[\text{pyridine}] \approx \left(5.9\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}\,s^{-1}}\right) \left(0.10\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\right) =5.9\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm{s^{-1}}. \]

This greatly exceeds the approximately zero solvent-assisted contribution.

Equivalently, the fraction formed through direct substitution is

\[ f_{\mathrm{direct}} =\frac{k_{\mathrm Y}[\text{pyridine}]} {k_s+k_{\mathrm Y}[\text{pyridine}]} \approx1. \]

Therefore, most pyridine product is formed by direct substitution: the second box is correct.

2.5 — Masses of platinum and gold

Use the standard constants

\[ M(\ce{Pt})=195.08\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}, \qquad N_{\mathrm A}=6.022\times10^{23}\ \mathrm{mol^{-1}}, \]

which are not printed in the problem.

The solution volume is

\[ 1.0\ \mathrm{cm^3}=1.0\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{dm^3}. \]

Thus the amount of platinum is

\[ n(\ce{Pt}) =\left(1.0\times10^{-6}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\right) \left(1.0\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{dm^3}\right) =1.0\times10^{-9}\ \mathrm{mol}. \]

Its mass is

\[ m(\ce{Pt}) =n(\ce{Pt})M(\ce{Pt}) =1.9508\times10^{-7}\ \mathrm g, \]

or, to two significant figures,

\[ \boxed{m(\ce{Pt})=2.0\times10^{-7}\ \mathrm g =0.20\ \mathrm{\mu g}}. \]

Each nanoparticle carries, on average,

\[ 90(0.98)=88.2 \]

platinum complexes, each containing one platinum atom. Therefore, the number of gold nanoparticles is

\[ N_{\mathrm{particles}} =\frac{n(\ce{Pt})N_{\mathrm A}}{88.2} =\frac{(1.0\times10^{-9})(6.022\times10^{23})}{88.2} =6.83\times10^{12}. \]

The radius of one particle is

\[ r=\frac{13}{2}\ \mathrm{nm} =6.5\times10^{-7}\ \mathrm{cm}. \]

Using the given sphere-volume expression,

\[ V_{\mathrm{particle}} =4.18879r^3 =4.18879(6.5\times10^{-7}\ \mathrm{cm})^3 =1.15035\times10^{-18}\ \mathrm{cm^3}. \]

The gold mass per particle is

\[ m_{\mathrm{particle}} =\rho V_{\mathrm{particle}} =(19.3\ \mathrm{g\,cm^{-3}}) (1.15035\times10^{-18}\ \mathrm{cm^3}) =2.22017\times10^{-17}\ \mathrm g. \]

Consequently,

\[ m(\ce{Au}) =N_{\mathrm{particles}}m_{\mathrm{particle}} =1.5159\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm g, \]

giving

\[ \boxed{m(\ce{Au})=1.5\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm g =0.15\ \mathrm{mg}}. \]

The solution was checked against the official solution.