Dinuclear platinum complexes with designer thiolate ligands from the monoalkylation of [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4]

Alkylation reactions of the nucleophilic platinum(II) sulfide complex [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4] with functionalised alkylating agents have been investigated as a versatile synthetic route to dinuclear, cationic sulfide–thiolate complexes of the type [Pt2(μ-S)(μ-SR)(PPh3)4]+, extending the range of thiolate complexes that can be prepared using this methodology. A wide range of functional groups can be incorporated, using appropriate alkylating agents, and include ketone, ester, amide, hydrazone, semicarbazone, thiosemicarbazone, oxime, guanidine, urea and thiourea groups.