The title compound, [PtI2{AS(C6H5)(3)}(2)], is one of a few bis-AsX(3) (X is alkyl or aryl) platinum(II) complexes isolated to date. It exhibits long Pt-As and Pt-I bonds. The difference between the two independent coordination units in the unit cell is a result of packing effects.
The title compound, trans-chloromethylbis(triphenylarsine)platinum(II), trans-[PtCl(CH3)(C18H15As)(2)], is isomorphous and isostructural with one of the two known crystalline forms of the corresponding triphenylphosphine analogue.