Organoplatinum compounds : III. [Me3PtCl04]4, preparative and structural aspects of a new organoplatinum cluster compound

Several methods for the preparation of Me₃PtClO₄ have been investigated: anhydrous, pure Me₃PtCl0₄ was obtained by treating AgClO₄ with Me₃PtI in dry benzene. The compound issensitive to moisture and explodes on heat or shock treatment. Molecular weight determination indicates a tetrameric structure [Me₃PtClO₄]₄, and spectroscopic data are consistent with this. Preliminary X-ray investigation of a single crystal indicates a crystal symmetry I_4I/amd (Schoenflies: D¹⁹_4h) with four [Me₃PtClO₄]₄ units in a tetragonal cell (a = b = 11.267(5); c = 25.09(1)) and local symmetry D_2d of the [Me₃PtCl0₄]₄ structure.