Bis(aminomethyl)dimethylsilane]platinum(II) dichloride (1) was synthesized by a three-step procedure. The antitumor activity of 1 was evaluated in the i.p. implanted mouse L1210 leukemia model. A 10 mg kg-' dose administered every fourth day for a total of three injections extended the median life span of the dying mice by at least 100% and resulted in 40-50% survivors (day 30) in two experiments corresponding to an approximate 6 log,,, reduction in tumor burden at the end of treatment. Compound 1 appeared at least as active as cisplatin under the testing protocols utilized. The closely related bis[aminomethyltrimethylsilane]platinum(II) dichloride complex was inactive in this mouse model.