Patent ID: 8207364

Claim:
A process for the preparation of a complex of formula (A) or (B): wherein, M is a platinum group metal atom; each X is an anionic monodentate ligand; is a bidentate phosphine ligand; and R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of straight-chain C 1-10 alkyl, branched-chain C 3-10 alkyl, C 3-10 cycloalkyl and optionally substituted aryl; comprising the steps of: (a) preparing by reacting the lithium salt of R 1 R 2 PH with a dihaloalkane in a solvent comprising an alkyl ether and, optionally, an alkane, provided the alkyl ether is not diethyl ether; (b) reacting with a platinum group metal precursor compound to form the complex of formula (A) or formula (B), wherein the is not isolated before it is reacted with the platinum group metal precursor compound.