Which is the Stronger Nucleophile, Platinum or Nitrogen in Rollover Cycloplatinated(II) Complexes?

The rollover cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes [PtMe(2,X'-bpy-H)(PPh3)], (X = 2, 1a; X = 3, 1b; and X = 4, 1c) containing two potential nucleophilic centers have been investigated to elucidate which center is the stronger nucleophile toward methyl iodide. On the basis of DFT calculations, complexes 1b and 1c are predicted reacting with MeI through the free nitrogen donor to form N-methylated platinum(II) complexes, while complex 1a reacts through oxidative addition on platinum to give a platinum(IV) complex, which is in agreement with experimental findings. The reasons for this difference in selectivity for complexes 1a-1c are discussed based on the energy barrier needed for N-methylation versus oxidative addition reactions.