Structurally similar but charge-differentiated platinum complexes have been prepared using the bidentate phosphine ligands [Ph2B(CH2PPh2)2], ([Ph2BP2], [1]), Ph2Si(CH2PPh2)2, (Ph2SiP2, 2), and H2C(CH2PPh2)2, (dppp, 3). The relative electronic impact of each ligand with respect to a coordinated metal center's electron-richness has been examined using comparative molybdenum and platinum model carbonyl and alkyl complexes. Complexes supported by anionic [1] are shown to be more electron-rich than those supported by 2 and 3. A study of the temperature and THF dependence of the rate of THF self-exchange between neutral, formally zwitterionic [Ph 2BP2]Pt(Me)(THF) (13) and its cationic relative [(Ph2SiP2)Pt(Me)-(THF)][B(C6F5)4] ( 14) demonstrates that different exchange mechanisms are operative for the two systems. Whereas cationic 14 displays THF-dependent, associative THF exchange in benzene, the mechanism of THF exchange for neutral 13 appears to be a THF independent, ligand-assisted process involving an anchimeric, η 3 -binding mode of the [Ph2BP2] ligand. The methyl solvento species 13, 14, and [(dppp)Pt-(Me)(THF)][B(C6F5)4] (15), each undergo a C-H bond activation reaction with benzene that generates their corresponding phenyl solvento complexes [Ph2BP2]Pt(Ph)(THF) (16), [(Ph2SiP2)Pt(Ph)(THF)][B(C6F5)4] (17), and [(dppp)Pt(Ph)(THF)][B(C6F5)4] (18). Examination of the kinetics of each C-H bond activation process shows that neutral 13 reacts faster than both of the cations 14 and 15. The magnitude of the primary kinetic isotope effect measured for the neutral versus the cationic systems also differs markedly (k(C6H6)/k(C6D6): 13 ) 1.26; 14 ) 6.52; 15 ∼ 6). THF inhibits the rate of the thermolysis reaction in all three cases. Extended thermolysis of 17 and 18 results in an aryl coupling process that produces the dicationic, biphenyl-bridged platinum dimers [{(Ph2SiP2)Pt}2(µ-η 3 :η 3 -biphenyl)][B(C6F5)4]2 (19) and [{(dppp)-Pt}2(µ-η 3 :η 3 -biphenyl)][B(C6F5)4]2 (20). Extended thermolysis of neutral [Ph2BP2]Pt(Ph)(THF) (16) results primarily in a disproportionation into the complex molecular salt {[Ph2BP2]PtPh2} -{[Ph2BP2]Pt(THF)2} + . The bulky phosphine adducts [Ph2BP2]Pt(Me){P(C6F5)3} (25) and [(Ph2SiP2)Pt(Me){P(C6F5)3}][B(C6F5)4] ( 29) also undergo thermolysis in benzene to produce their respective phenyl complexes, but at a much slower rate than for 13-15. Inspection of the methane byproducts from thermolysis of 13, 14, 15, 25, and 29 in benzene-d6 shows only CH4 and CH3D. Whereas CH3D is the dominant byproduct for 14, 15, 25, and 29, CH4 is the dominant byproduct for 13. Solution NMR data obtained for 13, its 13 C-labeled derivative [Ph2BP2]Pt( 13 CH3)(THF) (13-13 CH3), and its deuterium-labeled derivative [Ph2B(CH2P(C6D5)2)2]Pt(Me)(THF) (13-d20), establish that reversible [Ph2BP2]-metalation processes are operative in benzene solution.Comparison of the rate of first-order decay of 13 versus the decay of d20-labeled 13-d20 in benzene-d6 affords k13/k13-d20 ∼ 3. The NMR data obtained for 13, 13-13 CH3, and 13-d20...