The complexes [M(triphos)Cl]Cl [triphos = PhP(CH 2 CH 2 PPh 2 ) 2 ; M = Pd (1), M = Pt (2)] undergo ring-opening reactions with Au() to give [MAu(triphosIn these mixed metal complexes, triphos acts as a bidentate ligand for M and the third phosphorus atom is coordinated to Au() with a linear geometry. Complexes 1-4 were characterised by microanalysis, FAB mass spectrometry, IR, NMR ( 31 P and 195 Pt) spectroscopies and conductivity measurements. Complexes 2-4 were also characterised by X-ray crystallography. [Pt(triphos)Cl]Cl, 2, is monoclinic, space group P 2 1 /n, with square-planar geometry. The Pt-P central bond distance (2.207 Å) is shorter than the other two Pt-P distances (2.312 and 2.315 Å). [PdAu(triphos)Cl 3 ], 3, is also monoclinic (space group P 2 1 /n), with square-planar Pd() and linear Au() (P-Au-Cl 177.73Њ), and has a similar structure to complex 4, [PtAu(triphos)Cl 3 ] (monoclinic, space group I 2/a). The thiolate S of the tripeptide glutathione (GSH) and N-acetyl--cysteine binds to [Pt(triphos)] 2ϩ giving adducts with high aqueous solubility. In the presence of Au(), 5Ј-GMP displaced glutathione from [Pt(triphos)(GS)] ϩ to form two adducts. Both GSH and N-acetyl--cysteine readily extracted Au() from complex 4, [PtAu(triphos)Cl 3 ], to give complex 2, [Pt(triphos)Cl]Cl, and the Au() thiolate. Since chloride and thiolates would be strong competitors to DNA binding, proteins could be possible target sites for these complexes.