An unprecedented process involving normal and redox transmetallation reactions between Hg and Pt affording the unexpected K[Pt2{CH2C(O)Me}6 ((mu)-Cl)3] complex: the key role of X-ray powder diffraction in unravelling its nature and structure

[Hg{CH2C(O)Me}2] reacts with K[PtCl3(CH2=CH2)](2 1 molar ratio) to give K[Pt2{CH2C(O)Me}6((mu)-Cl)3](1); the intermediate [Pt{CH2C(O)Me}Cl2 (CH2=CH2)]– has been detected in solution and isolated as a Me4N+ salt; the process occurs through successive normal and redox transmetallation reactions and an ab initio X-ray powder diffraction study of 1 has proven to be essential to establish its nature.