X‐ray powder study of cis‐dichloridobis(methylamine)platinum(II)

The title compound, cis‐[PtCl2(CH3NH2)2], was obtained from the reaction of K2PtCl4 with CH3NH2·HCl and CH3COOK. The single‐crystal structure has been reported previously [Wimmer, Wimmer, Jaud, Johnson & Castan (1988). Inorg. Chim. Acta, 144, 25–30], but no three‐dimensional coordinates are available. We have carried out an ab initio crystal structure determination using X‐ray powder diffraction techniques. The crystal structure consists of discrete molecules, with the PtII atom in a slightly distorted square‐planar coordination environment. The methyl groups lie on the same side of the plane defined by the two N and two Cl atoms. Molecules are connected via intermolecular N—H...Cl hydrogen bonds to form two‐dimensional layers perpendicular to the b axis. The methylamine groups protrude from these layers, forming organic interlayers.