Dicationic Pt (II) complexes containing triphosphine pincer ligands are excellent catalysts for the cycloisomerization of 1, 6-and 1, 7-dienes into bicyclopropane carbocycles. In analogy to the biosynthetic route to these monoterpene-like compounds, carbocation intermediates are proposed and supported by trapping experiments. Reactivation of the trapped intermediates indicates that cation generation by CC bond formation is both rapid and reversible.
