Structural characterization of the 'lantern-shaped' platinum(III) complex [Pt2Cl2{N(H)C(Bu-t)O}(4)]

The synthesis of a new platinum(III) 'lantern-shaped' complex with amidate bridging ligands, [Pt2Cl2{N(H)C(Bu-t)O}(4)] (1), is described. Complex I has been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction and compared with the related compound [Pt2I2{N(H)C(Me)O}(4)] (2). The two complexes exhibit very short N...O bite distances which are similar in the two cases but the Pt(III)-Pt(III) distance is significantly shorter in 1 than in 2. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved