Addition of protic molecules to coordinated 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde in gold(III), palladium(II), and platinum(II) complexes

The reactions of Au^III, Pt^II and Pd^II complexes with 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde (2CHO-py) have been examined in protic (H₂O, MeOH, EtOH) and aprotic (DMF, CH₂Cl₂) solvents. Compounds in which the pyridine ligand is N-coordinated, either in the original aldehydic form or in a new form derived from addition of one or two protic molecules, have been isolated, namely: [Au(2CHO-py · H₂O)Cl₃], [Au(2CHO-py · MeOH)Cl₃], [Au(2CHO-py · 2EtOH)Cl₃], cis-[Pt(2CHO-py)₂Cl₂], trans-[Pd(2CHO-py)₂Cl₂], trans-[Pt(dmso)(2CHO-py)Cl₂], [Pt{C₅H₄N-(CH₂SMe)}Cl(2CHO-py)](ClO₄), [Pt(terpy)(2CHOpy)](ClO₄)₂, [Pt(terpy)(2CHO-py · H₂O)](ClO₄)₂ (terpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine). ¹H-n.m.r. experiments show that the addition of the protic molecule(s) to the Pt^II and Pd^II complexes is reversible. The effects of the nature of the metal ion and the ancillary ligands as well as of the total charge of the complexes on the relative stability of the addition products are discussed. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Phosphoester binding,DNA binding,DNA cleavage and in vitro cytotoxicity studies of simple heteroleptic copper(II) complexes with bidentate ligands

Abstract

Two mononuclear heteroleptic copper complexes, [Cu(±trans-dach)(bpy)](ClO₄)₂ 1a and [Cu(±trans-dach)(phen)](ClO₄)₂ 2a [dach?=?1,2-diaminocyclohexane, bpy?=?2,2′-bipyridine and phen?=?1,10-phenanthroline], were synthesized and analyzed by CHN analysis, electronic absorption, FT-IR spectroscopy, EPR, and SXRD. The molecular structures of 1a and 2a showed octahedral geometry around Cu(II). Both complexes interacted with phosphoesters and DNA. Their binding affinities with diphenylphosphate, di n-butylphosphate, trimethylphosphate, and triphenylphosphate were studied by UV–vis spectroscopy. For understanding the stereochemical role of dach ligand toward DNA interaction, enantiopure DACH complexes [Cu(R,R-trans-dach(bpy)](ClO₄)₂ 1b, [Cu(S,S-trans-dach)(bpy)](ClO₄)₂ 1c, [Cu(cis-dach)(bpy)](ClO₄)₂ 1d, [Cu(R,R-trans-dach)(phen)](ClO₄)₂ 2b, [Cu(S,S-trans-dach)(phen)](ClO₄)₂ 2c, and [Cu(cis-dach)(phen)](ClO₄)₂ 2d were synthesized and analyzed. All complexes interacted with calf thymus-DNA (CT-DNA) as studied by UV–vis spectroscopy. The nature of binding to CT-DNA was groove/electrostatic as supported by circular dichroism, cyclic voltammetry, and docking studies. Complexes were able to cleave plasmid DNA at 12.5 µM (1a–d) and 6 µM (2a–d), where 2d showed 64% Form II and 36% Form III. The in vitro cytotoxic studies of two different cancer cell lines showed inhibition with low IC₅₀ value in comparison to reference control (cisplatin). These complexes are efficient in inducing apoptosis in cancer cells, making them viable for potent anticancer activity.     

Synthesis, structure, and biological activity of mixed-ligand platinum(II) complexes with aminonitroxides

Mixed-ligand platinum complexescis-Pt^II(R⁶NH₂)(NH₃)X₂ andcis-Pt^II(R⁵NH₂)(NH₃)X₂ (R⁶ is 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl-1-oxyl and R⁵ is 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-pyrrolidinyl-1-oxyl) were synthesized by either the reaction of aminonitroxides RNH₂ with Na[Pt^II(NH₃)Cl₂I] generatedin situ (for X₂=ClI) or by replacement of the iodo-chloro ligands incis-Pt¹¹(RNH₂)(NH₃)ClI by dichloro and oxalato ligands. The complexes obtained were characterized by elemental analysis and by IR, UV, and ESR spectra. Forcis-Pt¹¹(R⁵NH₂)(NH₃)Cl₂, crystal and molecular structures were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Cisplatin accelerates autooxidation of methyl linoleate and the platinum nitroxide complexes synthesized exhibit antioxidant properties. The rate of isolated DNA binding with the new complexes is almost as high as that for cisplatin.cis-Pt¹¹(R⁶NH₂)(NH₃)Cl₂ exhibits the highest antitumor activity. The high antitumor activity of platinum nitroxide complexes shows that the possible “radical component” is not a crucial factor in the cytotoxic action of cisplatin. Published inIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1624–1630, September, 2000.     

Hemilability and structural considerations in complexes of platinum(II) comprising bis(diphenylphosphanyl)methane monoxide,monosulfide, and monoselenide

The structure of a platinum(II) complex containing (R)-(dimethylamino)ethylnapthyl and bis(diphenylphosphanyl)methane monosulfide ligands, namely, {(R)-1-[1-(dimethylamino)ethyl]napthyl-κ²N,C²}[(diphenylphosphanylmethyl)diphenylphosphine sulfide-κ²P,S]platinum(II) hexafluoridoantimonate dichloromethane monosolvate, [Pt(C₁₄H₁₆N)(C₂₅H₂₂P₂S)][SbF₆]·CH₂Cl₂, was determined. The structural features are compared with analogous platinum bis(diphenylphosphanyl)methane monoxide [dppm(O)] and bis(diphenylphosphanyl)methane monoselenide [dppm(Se)] complexes in relation to their potential hemilability and stereochemical nonrigidity.     

Platinum(II) Mixed Ligand Complexes with Thiourea Derivatives,Dimethyl Sulphoxide and Chloride: Syntheses,Molecular Structures,and ESCA Data

The platinum(II) mixed ligand complexes [PtCl(L^1‐6)(dmso)] with six differently substituted thiourea derivatives HL, R₂NC(S)NHC(O)R′ (R = Et, R′ = p‐O₂N‐Ph: HL¹; R = Ph, R′ = p‐O₂N‐Ph: HL²; R = R′ = Ph: HL³; R = Et, R′ = o‐Cl‐Ph: HL⁴; R₂N = EtOC(O)N(CH₂CH₂)₂N, R′ = Ph: HL⁵) and Et₂NC(S)N=CNH‐1‐Naph (HL⁶), as well as the bis(benzoylthioureato‐κO, κS)‐platinum(II) complexes [Pt(L^{1, 2})₂] have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, FAB(+)‐MS, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, as well as X‐ray structure analysis ([PtCl(L¹)(dmso)] and [PtCl(L^{3, 4})(dmso)]) and ESCA ([PtCl(L^{1, 2})(dmso)] and [Pt(L^{1, 2})₂]). The mixed ligand complexes [PtCl(L)(dmso)] have a nearly square‐planar coordination at the platinum atoms. After deprotonation, the thiourea derivatives coordinate bidentately via O and S, DMSO bonds monodentately to the Pt^II atom via S atom in a cis arrangement with respect to the thiocarbonyl sulphur atom. The Pt—S‐bonds to the DMSO are significant shorter than those to the thiocarbonyl‐S atom. In comparison with the unsubstituted case, electron withdrawing substituents at the phenyl group of the benzoyl moiety of the thioureate (p‐NO₂, o‐Cl) cause a significant elongation of the Pt—S(dmso)‐bond trans arranged to the benzoyl‐O—Pt‐bond. The ESCA data confirm the found coordination and bonding conditions. The Pt 4f_7/2 electron binding energies of the complexes [PtCl(L^{1, 2})(dmso)] are higher than those of the bis(benzoylthioureato)‐complexes [Pt(L^{1, 2})₂]. This may indicate a withdrawal of electron density from platinum(II) caused by the DMSO ligands.     

(Croconato‐κ2O,O′)bis­(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ2N,N′)cobalt(II), and the nickel(II) and copper(II) analogues

The title complexes, [M(C₅O₅)(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂], with M = Co^II, Ni^II and Cu^II, all lie across twofold rotation axes, around which two 1,10‐phenanthroline ligands are arranged in a chiral propeller manner. The Co^II and Ni^II complexes are isostructural, with octa­hedral coordination geometry, while the local geometry of the Cu^II complex is severely distorted from octa­hedral.     

Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of (1R,2R)-N1-(2-butyl)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine platinum(II) complexes with malonate derivatives

Three new platinum(II) complexes of (1R,2R)-N¹-(2-butyl)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine with malonate derivatives as leaving groups have been synthesized and spectrally characterized. They were tested in vitro against four human cancer cell lines. [(1R,2R)-N¹-(2-butyl)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine-N,N′](2-ethylmalonato-O,O′)platinum(II) turned out to be more active (IC₅₀ = 4.65 μM) than oxaliplatin (IC₅₀ = 6.55 μM) against the MCF-7 cell line and is superior to its parent complex, [(1R,2R)-N¹-(2-butyl)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine-N,N′](malonato-O,O′)platinum(II). In addition, agarose gel electrophoresis study revealed that the interaction of the complex with pET22b plasmid DNA had a different behavior from that of cisplatin or oxaliplatin.     

Reactions of diphosphineplatinum(II) oxalate complexes with phenylacetylene. Formation of phenylalkynylplatinum complexes

[Pt(C₂O₄)(dppe)] reacts thermally with PhCCH to produce [Pt(CCPh)₂(dppe)], which has been prepared by alternative routes. Similar treatment of [Pt(C₂O₄)(dppm)] initially produces [Pt(CCPh)₂(dppm)], which rearranges to give cis,cis-[Pt₂(CCPh)₄(μ-dppm)₂]. Reaction of [PtCl₂(dppm)] with PhCCH/KOH/18-crown-6, or with (PhCC)SnMe₃, gives [Pt(CCPh)₂(dppm)], which may be converted to the cis,cis-dimer by addition of oxalic acid. Ultraviolet irradiation or refluxing with a trace amount of dppm converts [Pt(CCPh)₂(dppm)] to trans,trans-[Pt₂(CCPh)₄(μ-dppm)₂], but the cis,cis-dimer is stable under these conditions. [Pt(C₂O₄)L₂] (L = PPh₃, PEt₃) complexes also react thermally with PhCCH to yield [Pt(CCPh)₂L₂] species.     

Heterobimetallic complexes of platinum(II) with diferrocenylphenylphosphine and their in vitro activity against P388 leukaemia

Four platinum(II) complexes of the general formula cis‐[Pt{(Ferr)₂PhP}(DMSO)X₂], where X₂ = Cl₂, C₂O₄, O₂(CO)₂(C₆H₁₁)₂ and O₂(CO)₂CCH₂CH₂CH₂, have been synthesized and­characterized physicochemically and spec‐­troscopically as the first heterobimetallic platinum(II) complexes with the ligand diferrocenylphenylphosphine (Ferr = ferrocenyl). These complexes were tested in vitro against leukaemia cell line P388 using the MTT assay. The results obtained were compared with those of cisplatin, carboplatin, oxaliplatin and 5‐fluorouracil. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Organoplatinum(II) complexes with phosphite ligands

The phosphite complexes cis-[PtMe₂L(SMe₂)] in which L = P(OⁱPr)₃, 1a, or L = P(OPh)₃, 1b, were synthesized by the reaction of cis,cis-[Me₂Pt(μ-SMe₂)₂PtMe₂] with 2 equiv. of L. If 4 equiv. of L was used the bis-phosphite complexes cis-[PtMe₂L₂] in which L = P(OⁱPr)₃, 2a, or L = P(OPh)₃, 2b, were obtained. The reaction of cis-[Pt(p-MeC₆H₄)₂(SMe₂)₂] with 2 equiv. of L gave the aryl bis-phosphite complexes cis-[Pt(p-MeC₆H₄)₂L₂] in which L = P(OⁱPr)₃, 2a′, or L = P(OPh)₃, 2b′. Use of 1 equiv. of L in the latter reaction gave the bis-phosphite complex along with the starting complex in a 1:1 ratio.The complexes failed to react with MeI. The reaction of cis,cis-[Me₂Pt(μ-SMe₂)₂PtMe₂] with 2 equiv. of the phosphine PPh₃ gave cis-[PtMe₂(PPh₃)₂] and cis-[PtMe₂(PPh₃)(SMe₂)] along with unreacted starting material. Reaction of cis-[PtMe₂L(SMe₂)], 1a and 1b with the bidentate phosphine ligand bis(diphenylphosphino)methane, dppm = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂, gave [PtMe₂(dppm)], 8, along with cis-[PtMe₂L₂], 2. The reaction of cis-[PtMe₂L(SMe₂)] with 1/2 equiv. of the bidentate N-donor ligand NN = 4,4′-bipyridine yielded the binuclear complexes [PtMe₂L(μ-NN)PtMe₂L] in which L = P(OⁱPr)₃, 3a, or L = P(OPh)₃, 3b.The complexes were fully characterized using multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P, and ¹⁹⁵Pt) spectroscopy.     

Platinum(II) Mono-N1-(2"-Tetrahydrofuranyl)-5-Fluorouracilate Complexes with Ammonia

The reaction between cis-[Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂], N¹-(2"-tetrahydrofuranyl)-5-fluorouracil (HL), and NaOH (taken in a molar ratio of 1 : 1 : 1) or between cis-[Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂], HL, and Ag₂O (taken in the molar ratio of 1 : 1 : 0.5) was used to synthesize complexes Ia (in the case of NaOH) or Ib (in the case of Ag₂O) with composition Pt(NH₃)₂LCl. The model complex [Pt(NH₃)₃L]NO₃ (II) was synthesized by the reaction between [Pt(NH₃)₃Cl]Cl, HL, AgNO₃, and Ag₂O (1 : 1 : 1 : 0.5). The obtained compounds were characterized by chemical analysis, chromatography, thermogravimetry, conductometry, potentiometry, IR, electronic, and NMR spectroscopies. Complexes Ia and Ib were found to have both similar and different properties. The structures of the compounds and the type of L^– coordination to platinum(II) were suggested. Cytotoxic properties of Iaand Ib were studied.     

Poly[diaquabis(μ3‐2,2‐dimethylpropanedioato)calcium(II)copper(II)]

The title complex, [CaCu(C₅H₆O₄)₂(H₂O)₂]_n, is the first heterobimetallic complex based on a substituted malonate dianion. The Cu^II cation and two independent 2,2‐dimethylmalonate (or 2,2‐dimethylpropanedioate) dianions build up a robust dianionic [Cu(C₅H₆O₄)₂]²⁻ complex, which acts as a building block to coordinate to four Ca²⁺ cations. Each Cu^II centre is in a four‐coordinate square plane of dimethylmalonate O atoms, while each Ca^II atom is in an eight‐coordinate distorted bicapped trigonal–prismatic environment of six O atoms from four different dimethylmalonate groups and two water molecules. This arrangement creates a two‐dimensional layer connectivity of the structure. The dianionic [Cu(C₅H₆O₄)₂]²⁻ units are involved in different intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions with water molecules via the formation of hydrogen‐bonded rings of graph sets R₁²(8) and R(6) within this layer. The crystal was nonmerohedrally twinned by rotation about [011] with a major twin volume fraction of 0.513 (3).     

Metal complexes of ligands containing intercalating units. Synthesis of nickel(II), copper(II), rhodium(II), and platinum(II) complexes with diamine-substituted acridines and quinolines,and with mitonafide [N-(2,2-dimethylaminoethyl)-3-nitro-1, 8-naphthalimide] and related ligands

Summary The preparations and characterisation are reported of a range of complexes of Ni^II, Cu^II, Rh^II, and Pt^II with 6-chloro-2-methoxyacridine substituted in the 9-position with –NH(CH₂)_nNR₂ groups (where n=2 or 3, R=H or Me), and of complexes with 7-chloroquinoline analogously substituted in the 4-position. The preparations are also reported of complexes of the types [Rh(CH₃CO₂)₂L]₂, Cu(CH₃CO₂)₂L₂, PtL₂Cl₂, and (LH)₂[PtCl₄], where L=N-(2,2-dimethylaminoethyl)-3-nitro-1, 8-naphthalimide (mitonafide) and/or its 2,2-aminoethyl-, 2,2-aminopropyl-, or 2,2-dimethylaminopropyl analogues. Initial cytotoxicity studies are reported for some of the Pt compounds.     

Isomerism of copper(II) coordination compounds with hydroxamic acids

The structure of Cu^II complexes with hydroxamic acids Cu[R¹N(O)−(O)CR²]₂, where R¹=Ph, R²=Me; R¹=Me, R²=Ph, was studied by ESR spectroscopy. In toluene solutions and low-temperature glasses, the complexes exist as two forms, which were identified ascis-andtrans-isomers. The proportions of the isomers were determined. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 726–729, April, 1999.     

The Synthesis by Decarboxylation Reactions and Crystal Structures of 1, n–Bis(diphenylphosphino)alkane(pentafluorophenyl)‐platinum(II) Complexes

Decarboxylation reactions between the complexes cis–[PtCl₂L] (L = 1, n–bis(diphenylphosphino)–ethane (n = 2, dppe), –propane (n = 3, dppp) or –butane (n = 4, dppb)) and thallium(I) pentafluorobenzoate in pyridine give cis–[PtCl(C₆F₅)L] and cis–[Pt(C₆F₅)₂L] complexes in high yields with short reaction times. X–ray crystal structures of cis–[PtCl(C₆F₅)(dppe)] · 0.5 C₅H₅N, cis–[PtCl(C₆F₅)(dppp)], cis–[PtCl(C₆F₅)(dppb)] · C₃H₆O, cis–[Pt(C₆F₅)₂L] (L = dppe, dppp and dppb) and the reactants cis–[PtCl₂(dppp)] (as a CH₂Cl₂ solvate) and cis–[PtCl₂(dppb)] show monomeric structures with chelating diphosphine ligands in all cases rather than dimers with bridging diphosphines. ³¹P NMR data are consistent with these structures in solution.     

The Synthesis of Mono- and Bi-Metallic Platinum(II) and/or (IV) Complexes Containing the Ligand Bis(diphenylphosphino) Methylamine

Complexes of the type [Pt R₂ (dppma-PP′)] (R─Me, Et, Ph, CH₂Ph, C₆H₄ Me-p, C₆H₄OMe-2, CH₂CMe₃, 1-naphthyl, C₆H₄Me-o, dppma = Ph₂PNMe PPh₂) have been prepared from [PtCl₂, (dppma-PP′)] and the corresponding alkyl-lithium or Grignard reagents. Equilibrium constants, k, for the conversion of [PtR₂ (dppma-PP′)] into cis-[PtR₂(dppma-P)₂] with dppma were studied using ³¹P NMR spectroscopy at room temperature. Equilibrium is rapidly established for R─C₆H₄-Me-o, at 20°C. Complex of the type cis-[PtR₂ (dppma-P)₂] was isolated R─C₆H₄ Me-o. The complexes [PtMe₂(dppma-P)₂] and [Pt(o-methoxyphenyl)₂(dppma-P)₂] were prepared, but unfortunately decomposed once isolated, the only evidence for its formation being from ³¹P-{¹H} NMZR spectroscopy. The o-tolyl or 1-naphthyl complexes exist as syn-anti mixtures in solution, due to restricted rotation around the platinum aryl bonds. Treatment of several complexes of the type [PtR₂(dppma-PP′)] with MeI gives [PtR₂Me(I)(dppma-PP′)] with trans addition of MeI. Treatment of [PtR₂(dppma-PP′)] with HCl gives [Pt Cl (R) (dppma-PP′)] for R─C₆H₂Me₃-2,4,6, C₆H₄-CH₃-2, C₆H₄-Me-4, Me, 1-naphthyl. The ¹H, ³¹P NMR parameters for these complexes are discussed. Attempted preparation of complexes of the type [PtR₂ (dppma-P)₂M] (R─C₆H₄-Me-2, Me CN-C₆H₄-Me-4); M─Pd, Pt, Au,) are reported.     

Dimeric copper(II) trimethylsilyl­acetate adducts with pyridine, 2‐­methylpyridine, 3‐methylpyridine and quinoline,and a polymeric copper(II) trimethylsilylacetate

In the crystals of bis(pyridine‐N)tetrakis(μ‐trimethylsilylacetato‐O:O′)dicopper(II), [Cu₂(C₅H₁₁O₂Si)₄(C₅H₅N)₂], (I), the dinuclear Cu^II complexes have cage structures with Cu?Cu distances of 2.632 (1) and 2.635 (1) Å. In the crystals of bis(2‐­methylpyridine‐N)tetrakis(μ‐trimethylsilylacetato‐O:O′)dicopper(II), [Cu₂(C₅H₁₁O₂Si)₄(C₆H₇N)₂], (II), bis­(3‐methylpyridine‐N)tetrakis(μ‐trimethylsilylacetato‐O:O′)dicopper(II), [Cu₂(C₅H₁₁O₂Si)₄(C₆H₇N)₂], (III), and bis(quinoline‐N)­tetrakis(μ‐­trimethylsilylacetato‐O:O′)dicopper(II), [Cu₂(C₅H₁₁O₂Si)₄(C₉H₇N)₂], (IV), the centrosymmetric dinuclear Cu^II complexes have a cage structure with Cu?Cu distances of 2.664 (1), 2.638 (3) and 2.665 (1) Å, respectively. In the crystals of catena‐poly­[tetrakis(μ‐trimethylsilylacetato‐O:O′)dicopper(II)], [Cu₂(C₅H₁₁O₂Si)₄]_n, (V), the dinuclear Cu^II units of a cage structure are linked by the cyclic Cu—O bonds at the apical positions to form a linear chain by use of a glide translation.     

Interaction of manganese(II), iron(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) with acetylhydrazine, formed in situ; first crystal structure of tris(acetylhydrazine) nickel(II) perchlorate

A series of transition metal complexes of the type [M(ah)₃](ClO₄)₂ (1–6) [M = Mn^II, Fe^II, Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II and Zn^II, ah = acetylhydrazine] have been prepared by the reaction of M(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O with acetylhydrazine formed in situ by the reaction of hydrazine hydrate and acetylsalicylic acid methyl ester. The chelating behaviour of acetylhydrazine and overall geometry of these complexes have been spectroscopically investigated by means of FT-IR, ¹H-n.m.r. and electronic spectral techniques, as well as by elemental analysis data, molar conductance values and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Single X-ray structure determination of complex (4) revealed three acetylhydrazine ligands coordinated to nickel ion in a bidentate manner maintaining an octahedral environment. In all other complexes too, an octahedral geometry has been proposed on the basis of results obtained by various physico-chemical studies.     

A new [(1R,2R)‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane]platinum(II) complex: formation by nitrate–acetonitrile ligand exchange

The title compound, cis‐diacetonitrile[(1R,2R)‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane‐κ²N,N′]platinum(II) dinitrate monohydrate, [Pt(C₂H₃N)₂(C₆H₁₄N₂)](NO₃)₂·H₂O, is a molecular salt of the diaminocyclohexane–Pt complex cation. There are two formula units in the asymmetric unit. Apart from the two charge‐balancing nitrate anions, one neutral molecule of water is present. The components interact via N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds, resulting in supramolecular chains. The title compound crystallizes only from acetonitrile with residual water, with the acetonitrile coordinating to the molecule of cis‐[Pt(NO₃)₂(DACH)] (DACH is 1,2‐diaminocyclohexane) and the water forming a monohydrate.     

Untersuchungen zur Alkylierung von Bis-Stilbendithiolato-Komplexen des Ni(II), Pd(II) und Pt(II)

Investigation on the Alkylation of Bis-Stilbendithiolato Complexes of Ni^II, Pd^II, and Pt^II Alkylation reactions of co-ordinated ligands of the type of ethylene-bisthiol R₂S₂C₂²-proceed different depending on the substituents R. The neutral complexes isolated by a alkylation of the nickel bis-chelates (R = phenyl) according to Schrauzer and Rabinowitz and formulated by these authors as mixed ligand chelates of dithiolate and diether, were identified by us as complexes of the monoethers of the ligand. These nickel (II) complexes of the mono-ethers can not be alkylated further by alkyliodides. Oxidative coupling of two ligands yields disulfides which have been identified by mass spectroscopy thus indicating the original position of attack of the alkylating reagent. The formation of bis-monether complexes is reflected by the different charges on the S atoms of the model complex [Ni(CH₃S₂C₂H₂)(S₂C₂H₂)]- obtained from EHT and CNDO calculations. Both possible stereo-isomers have been isolated of the bis-methylmonether complex of Pt(II). Trans-[M((CH₃)(S₂C₂Ph₂))₂] (M = Ni(II), Pd(II)) form CH₂Cl₂ adducts. By treating the Ni-bis complexes of the monoalkylthioethers with iodine polyiodides are prepared. Binuclear Pd(II) complexes of composition [Pd₂((R)(S₂C₂Ph₂))₂Cl₂] could be prepared by metal exchange.