On the reactivity of mRNA Cap0: C-H oxidative addition of 7-methylguanosine to Pt0 and base pairing studies.

7-Methylguanosine, whose lability to form an ylide/NHC has been known for decades, reacts with [Pt(PPh3)4] via C–H oxidative addition to yield a hydrido–PtII carbene complex. 1H NMR studies on Watson–Crick base-pairs showed no significant effect of metallation.