Rollover‐assisted C(sp2)-C(sp3) bond formation

Rollover cyclometalation involves bidentate heterocyclic donors, unusually acting as cyclometalated ligands. The resulting products, possessing a free donor atom, react differently from the classical cyclometalated complexes. Taking advantage of a “rollover”/“retro‐rollover” reaction sequence, a succession of oxidative addition and reductive elimination in a series of platinum(II) complexes [Pt(N,C)(Me)(PR3)] resulted in a rare C(sp2)C(sp3) bond formation to give the bidentate nitrogen ligands 3‐methyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine, 3,6‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine, and 3‐methyl‐2‐(2′‐pyridyl)‐quinoline, which were isolated and characterized. The nature of the phosphane PR3 is essential to the outcome of the reaction. This route constitutes a new method for the activation and functionalization of CH bond in the C(3) position of bidentate heterocyclic compounds, a position usually difficult to functionalize