Activation of C−H Bonds of Arenes:  Selectivity and Reactivity in Bis(pyridyl) Platinum(II) Complexes

The reaction of [PtMe₂(NN)] and B(C₆F₅)₃/H₂O in CF₃CH₂OH with arenes Ar−H gives [PtAr{HOB(C₆F₅)₃}(LL)] if the bis(pyridyl) ligand NN forms a six-membered, but not five-membered, chelate ring; methyl-substituted arenes give selectivity for metalation of meta > para ≫ ortho, but methoxy-substituted arenes give ortho ≫ meta, para.