Binuclear platinum complexes of 4,5-disubstituted xanthenes

New binucleating ligands based on 4,5-disubstituted xanthenes have been prepared. The ligands, which display either mono- (acyl, nitrile) or bi-dentate (diimino, dithioamide) functionalities, can be prepared through simple procedures from commercial sources. The molecules have been used to synthesise dinuclear platinum(II) complexes with coordination numbers 4 or 5. Relevant aspects of their spectroscopic characterisation and reactivity are discussed along with the molecular structure of a representative compound.