Structurally characterised 17-vertex [(PMe2Ph)2PtB16H17Me] 3 is obtained, albeit in low yield, by platination of 16-vertex B16H20 1 using [PtMe2(PMe2Ph)2] under mild conditions. Platination has occurred on the {B10} subcluster of 1, interesting in that B16H20 itself deprotonates on the {B8} subcluster: the reference 16-vertex [B16H19]- anion 1a, prepared by deprotonation of 1 with 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene, is also structurally characterised. [PtMe2(PMe2Ph)2] with 14-vertex B14H18 2 similarly gives a low yield of 15-vertex [(PMe2Ph)2PtB14H16] 5, of formulation and structure substantiated by DFT calculations.