Abstract:Complexes of the type [Pt(R-CN)Cl,]-were synthesized and studied by 'H, ' ", and Ig5pt NMR spectroscopies. The " J ( '~~P~- '~C ) coupling constants are about 240 Hz. The signals due to the cyano carbon atoms of the coordinated ligands were observed at higher fields than those of the free ligands. The shielding on the cyano carbon increases as the alkyl chain lengthens and also when the branching increases. The lg5pt signals of all the complexes were observed around -2000 ppm. The crystal structures of (NMe,)[Pt(C,H,-CN)Cl,] (1) and (NMe4)[Pt(p-HO-C6H,-CN)C13] (2) were determined. Con~pound 1 is monoclinic, P2,/c, a = 8.384(5), b = 15.336(19), c = 11.759(9) 8,, P = 99.52(6)", Z = 4, R = 0.054, and IVR = 0.051. Crystal 2 is tetragonal with a = 16.222(6), c = 12.052(5) 8,, Z = 8, R = 0.059, and wR = 0.044. The Pt-CI bond trans to the nitrile ligand is shorter than normal (2.276(3) 8, for 1 and 2.264(7) A for 2) while the two other bonds are normal (2.293(4), 2.287(3) 8, for 1 and 2.320(7), 2.275(8) 8, for 2). The Pt-N bonds are 1.97(1) 8, (1) and 1.92(2) 8, (2) and the segments Pt-N=C-C are linear.Disubstituted compounds were also synthesized and studied by multinuclear NMR. The ' "~t signals of the cis isomers were observed at lower fields than those of the trans isomers (A = 65 ppm), while the 13c signals of the cyano carbons of the trarzs isomers were observed at lower fields than those of the cis compounds (A = 0.6 pprn). The cis complexes isomerize to the trans compounds upon heating. The crystal structures of cis-(3) and trans-Pt(C2H5-CN),C12 (4) and also of cis-Pt@-HO-C,H,-CN),Cl, (5) Author to whom correspondence may be addressed. Telephone: (514)