Reactions of zero valent platinum complexes with benzoins

Reactions of zero valent complexes with α-diketones are known to yield two types of complexes in which the keto groups either act four electron donors or undergo reduction during coordination. Similarly, catecholate complexes of low valent metal ions are also well documented. However there are few reports on reactions of low valent metal complexes with α-hydroxyketones. This is a preliminary account of the results obtained from the reactions of tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) platinum(0) (PtP 4 ) with benzoins.