<p>7-methylguanosine, the so-called mRNA cap 0 bears a very labile C8-H
bond, due to the formation of an ylide/N-heterocyclic carbene, upon proton
loss. The reaction of 7-methylguanosine
with Pt(PPh3)4, via C-H
oxidative addition, yields a hydrido–PtII carbene complex and this reactivity
can be extrapolated to 7,9-dimethylguanine. </p>