a b s t r a c tAlkylation reactions of the nucleophilic platinum(II) sulfide complex [Pt 2 (l-S) 2 (PPh 3 ) 4 ] with functionalised alkylating agents have been investigated as a versatile synthetic route to dinuclear, cationic sulfidethiolate complexes of the type [Pt 2 (l-S)(l-SR)(PPh 3 ) 4 ] + , extending the range of thiolate complexes that can be prepared using this methodology. A wide range of functional groups can be incorporated, using appropriate alkylating agents, and include ketone, ester, amide, hydrazone, semicarbazone, thiosemicarbazone, oxime, guanidine, urea and thiourea groups.