Activation of Dioxygen by Organoplatinum(II) Complexes: Examples of Proton Coupled Electron Transfer

The activation of dioxygen by organoplatinum(II) complexes in the presence of protic reagents is shown to occur by a mechanism that is a form of proton coupled electron transfer. The establishment of the mechanism, after false starts, and the current state of knowledge are described. The research is relevant to the catalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons by platinum metal or platinum complex catalysts and to the oxygen reduction reaction in biology and fuel cell technology.