[upper bond 1 start]PdCl[PPh(2)CH(2)CH(2)C[upper bond 1 end]HCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2)] as a precursor to homo- and hetero-metallic species directed by ESMS (electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry).

The cyclometallated Pd compound [upper bond 1 start]PdCl[PPh(2)CH(2)CH(2)C[upper bond 1 end]HCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2)], obtained from PdCl(2)(Ph(2)P(CH(2))(5)PPh(2)) in refluxing DMF (N,N-dimethylformamide), was characterized by NMR and X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis. The cyclometallation of MCl(2)(Ph(2)P(CH(2))(5)PPh(2))(M = Pd, Pt) to give and its Pt(ii) analogue was probed using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESMS). The reactivity of towards neutral ligands such as phosphines and pyridines as well as basic metal complexes such as pyridine-thiolate compounds of Au(i), Hg(ii) and Pt(ii) in solution was also investigated. The results showed that the chloride trans to the Pd-C bond is susceptible to ligand replacement. A number of entry metalloligands was examined in an attempt to establish a route to cyclometallated aggregates and clusters.