Tetrakis triethyl phosphite platinum O

The platinum(O) compound can be prepared by a method analogous to that of Malatesta and Cariello.2 Powdered potassium hydroxide (0.350-0.400 g., 0.006 mole) is dissolved in 10 ml. of methanol contained in a large test tube (about 1 in. diameter). To this is added triethyl phosphite (2.5 g., 0.015 mole) and a small stirring bar, and then the test tube is placed in an oil bath kept at 75° by a heater-stirrer plate. When the solution in the test tube has reached the temperature of 60°, a solution of potassium tetrachloroplatinate(II), K2PtCl4 (1.24 g., 0.003 mole), in about 20 ml. of water is slowly added with stirring. Immediately or within a few minutes, colorless crystals separate. The crystals are collected on a glass frit, washed with a few milliliters of an ethanol-water mixture (50% by volume) and dried under vacuum for 4 hours at room temperature. Yields vary from 0.45 to 0.58 g. (52-67%), m.p. 114°. Anal. Calcd. for C24H6oOi2P4Pt C, 33.53 H, 7.03. Found C, 31.0 H, 7.00. 

The complex [Pt P(OC2H5)3 4] can be handled in air. It is stored in an evacuated and sealed tube. On exposure to air 

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