Several complex salts Ofrvgeneral formula [MII(dipy)3]MIVCl6 or [Mn(phen)3]MIVCl6(where M II = Ru, Fe, Ni and M = Sn, Pt) were synthetized and subjected to thermal analyses. Heating of these derivatives leads to the release of organic fragments and chlorine, which are often involved in oxidation processes. The residues comprise metal oxides or pure metals (e,g. Pt). Differences in the structures and features of the ligand molecules, revealed on the basis of quantum-chemistry calculations, account qualitatively for the differences in behaviour and stability of the complex compounds studied.