A series of platinum(), palladium() and nickel() complexes containing thiosalicylate ligands have been prepared by the reaction of [MX 2 L 2 ] complexes [X = halide or acetate; L or L 2 = ancillary neutral donor ligand such as a tertiary phosphine or cycloocta-1,5-diene (cod)] with thiosalicylic acid in methanol with added pyridine.