Abstract:The air-stable hydride-platinum(II) complex [PtH{(PMe2O)2H}(PMe2OH)], reported by Parkins and co-workers in 1995, is the most versatile catalyst currently available for the hydration of C≡N bonds. It features remarkable activity under relatively mild conditions and exceptionally high functional group compatibility, facts that have allowed the implementation of this complex in the synthesis of a large number of structurally complex, biologically active molecules and natural products. In this contribution, synthetic applications of the Parkins catalyst are reviewed.