Reaction of [Pt3(μ-CO)3(PCy3)3] with tin dichloride

The reaction of [Pt3(μ-CO)3(PCy3)3] with SnCl2 · 2H2O forms [Pt3(μ-CO)2(μ-SnCl2)2(PCy3)3] which has two SnCl2 units bridging the same Pt–Pt edge in a butterfly geometry as shown by X-ray analysis. At low temperature, this cluster has the same structure in solution as in the solid state but is thermally unstable at room temperature.