A 13C{1H} NMR based investigation was conducted to examine the electronic properties of C(aryl)–M bonds and their trans influence in P–C(aryl)–P pincer complexes. A series of structurally related platinum pincer complexes were rationally designed and their corresponding 13C–195Pt coupling constants were systematically examined. By methodical substitution of the ligand trans to the organometallic C(aryl)–Pt bond, this study revealed the significant influence of the ligands on the nature of the C(aryl)–M bonds. The single crystal X-ray analysis of the complexes and computational studies further confirmed the observations that the C–M bond exhibits significant π-character.
